Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We should examine the report on the cost of motor insurance. I agree that there is a need to reduce the cost further and there is an obligation on all of us to work together to do that.

I join Senators Craughwell and McFadden in praising our Defence Forces in the context of Storm Emma. The men and women of the Defence Forces also deserve huge admiration and praise for their role in peacekeeping and for the role they play in the State. The Senators were correct to raise that.

Senator Black raised the issue of Irish Water communications. There is a need to communicate strategically, properly and in a timely manner. Irish Water is doing a good job in communicating. This issue again makes the case for the strategic communications unit and the need to provide more information. When it became clear that there was an issue with water supply, Irish Water mobilised on social media, although I accept that not everybody is on social media. Those who opposed Irish Water and payments to ensure we have running water now have a question to answer in the context of the company today. I take the Senator's point regarding the need for timely communication.Senators Black, McFadden and Coghlan raised the issue of councillors' pay and conditions. As the Cathaoirleach knows, it was on the clár for last week but because of the decision to close the Houses, it was not debated. That debate will now take place on 27 March. It is not that we will not debate it. It has just been delayed.

Senator Devine referred to the health service, health care workers and the INMO campaign. I would be happy to have the Minister attend the House on that matter.

I congratulate Senator Bacik on her sterling work on Vótáil 100. I hope that we will all join her and our colleagues on international women's day on 8 March as we celebrate the centenary of women's suffrage. It is important to have that debate, which the House will in the coming weeks.

Tomorrow's statements on foreign affairs will be an opportune time to debate Syria with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney. I would be happy to facilitate a cross-party motion on Syria.

I am tempted to remind Senator Leyden that 2010 was the last bad outcome for snow and ice and that the Fianna Fáil Party was in government. We have learned from its mistakes.

Senator Boyhan raised the important issue of horticulture and the 21 key action points. I would be happy to have the Minister attend the House to discuss the matter.

Senators Reilly, Devine, Feighan and Bacik referred to the impending resignation of Mr. Tony O'Brien, chief executive of the HSE. As a former Chairman of the health committee, I pay tribute to Mr. O'Brien and thank him for the professional and courteous manner in which he dealt with the committee, and particularly me as its Chair. I always found him to be a most engaging and committed person who had only one motivation, that was, to ensure that we had a competent, caring and strong health care system that worked for the patient. I wish him well and thank him for his service. As Senator Feighan rightly stated, he has left the health service in a better place than when he found it. He is not universally popular because of some of his decisions, but he managed the health system and HSE in a time of diminished budgets.

Senator Reilly also made an impassioned plea to Fingal County Council regarding a particular family. I hope that it will listen to him. This is about ensuring that the family is safe from homelessness.

I join Senator Byrne in congratulating the people of the mid-west on the 600 new jobs. Members will be glad to hear that it is the largest number of jobs announced outside of Dublin, which shows that the Government governs beyond the M50. I congratulate Limerick and commend all involved in Innovate Limerick.

Senator Norris mentioned the ESB building on Fitzwilliam Square. The ESB began a major overhaul of that building at the end of last month. I wish it well. I was not around when it demolished the old Georgian streetscape. The Senator made a good point. This was the subject of an article in The Irish Timesin recent days and there have also been previous decisions. I thank the Senator for raising the matter.

Senator O'Reilly made a pertinent contribution on the issue of roads. As we all know, there are craters in our roads and footpaths have deteriorated as a consequence of the storm. The knock-on effects of the storm will have a profound impact on county and city councils. I join the Senator in asking the Minister to consider giving them extra funding to repair roads, some of which have crumbled to the point of needing complete overhauls as opposed to patching.

Senator Mullen raised the issue of the strategic communications unit, SCU, and the national development plan. I am loath to start a political row with the Senator on the issue-----