Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, he was murdered. His life was cut short. I agree with Senator Mullen.It is about ensuring that we allow Senator Devine the space to come to the House, if she so chooses, to make a comment. In our online activity, none of us can support or retweet anything which is so uncaring in terms of what the Stack family is trying to do. There is a duty on all of us, whether we are Independents, members of political parties or members of society, to be careful what we say, what we tweet or what we put online. I have no time for cowards who hide behind anonymous Twitter handles and issue bile against all of us. They have no place in a democracy. As democrats, we go before the people and appear on television programmes or radio panels and are accountable. The issue of keyboard warriors, who are cowards, needs to be addressed. I hope Senator Devine will reflect on her position. Other people have made comments but I have never been personal or sought someone's head in my political life. We all have a duty to understand that this is not just any person, it was a prison officer who was murdered while doing his job. His family deserve justice.

Senator Conway-Walsh referred to the Social Justice Ireland report. I have not seen the report but I know Social Justice Ireland held a press conference earlier. It is important to recognise that unemployment in decreasing and that more people are back at work, which means that people have more money in their pockets and that the level of poverty is decreasing. I accept that we have a long way to go. That is why, in a recovering economy, it is important to spend money on services and programmes which deliver for people. It is also important to recognise that we have a finite amount of money to spend. I would like someone to tell me why, given that we are spending over €13 billion on health this year, people are still waiting on trolleys and, as Senator Colm Burke inquired, why there has been an increase in the numbers in management. The fundamental structure of the HSE, which was created by Deputy Micheál Martin, is wrong and unsound. That is why the Sláintecare report was published.

Senator Gallagher referred to GPs. As Senator Colm Burke said, the talks with GPs begin now. We should not procrastinate or allow the process to become an elongated discussion. We need investment in primary care. We need to get rid of the FEMPI legislation, which was introduced by Fianna Fáil, and restore pay to doctors, nurses and those working in our health system. That is why the all-party report on Sláintecare was published. It is extraordinary that we have inequalities and inadequacies in our health system at a time when we have the highest ever budget. Something is not right. In my opinion, it is the management structure of the HSE. Senator Colm Burke is 100% correct. We have too many managers and people walking around hospitals with clipboards and pens. We need investment in real people. I speak from experience in that regard.

I agree with Senator Bacik on the all-party motion on Syria. I am endeavouring to have an all-party motion from the point of view of the Government, as she knows.

I join Senators Norris and Ruane in commending the students of Trinity College. They raised the ridiculous decision to introduce a fee for students repeating exams before the St. Patrick's day break. As I said, students are vulnerable and under stress. The decision was wrong and I welcome the talks and intervention by the student body. It is always important to have a good student body. Senator Ruane was a member of the student body when she attended Trinity College. It is important that students' unions recognise that they have power, legitimacy and a mandate from their peers to negotiate on their behalf.

I hope the referendum Bill goes through the Dáil today and tomorrow. As we discussed at the leaders' meeting last week, I hope to have the Bill in the House next week and to conclude the debate on it by Easter in order that we can allow for the establishment of the Referendum Commission. All Senators should allow for our deliberations on the Bill to be concluded before the Easter recess.

Senator Ruane referred to social welfare inspections. I am not familiar with the issue she raised. We have always had social welfare inspections but there is a need for decorum and due process.Equally, there are people who are abusing the system who need to be held to account. I agree with the Senator that there is a balance we can strike in this regard.

Senator Byrne asked when the dual-diagnosis clinical programme for addiction and mental health announced by the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, will be established. I will endeavour to have that information provided to the Senator.

One the eve of the anniversary of the Warrington bombing, I join Senator Swanick in paying tribute to Colin and Wendy Parry on their bravery and courage and in remembering Jonathan Ball and Tim Parry, who were killed in that bombing. We all remember the effect it had on us and so many people around the world. The Senator is right to praise and commend them on their bravery.

It is my intention to have a discussion on the Good Friday Agreement post Easter. I will endeavour to have that debate the first week after the Easter recess. We had hoped to take statements on issues pertaining to Brexit related to the North but owing to changes to the Minister's schedule, we will have to rearrange the taking of that debate.

Senator Boyhan's contributions are, in the majority of cases, profound. His commentary this morning regarding the rejection by the European Court of Human Rights of the Government's case around the so-called hooded men is baffling. Those men were tortured by the British army and the RUC and their human rights were denied. Irrespective of who they are, they are entitled to be treated with respect and dignity. I agree with the Senator that human rights are applicable to everybody.