Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 12 Senators who contributed to the Order of Business this morning. I join Senators Catherine Ardagh, Victor Boyhan and James Reilly in commending the men and women of the Dublin Fire Brigade on their heroism in preventing any loss of life last night. I congratulate and thank them for their profound bravery in responding immediately and swiftly to the fire at the Metro Hotel in Ballymun. I welcome the decision of the Garda Síochána to conduct an investigation into the events leading up to the fire. I do not want to pre-empt the report, but I certainly hope that if there are any findings, we will put them in place. I would like to give Members an illustration of the work done by Dublin Fire Brigade personnel last night. They went through the 15 storeys of the hotel floor by floor to ensure everyone had been evacuated and no one was still there. They deserve our praise and thanks. Last night's events highlight the need to create awareness among everyone about fire exits, fire alarms and smoke detectors in our homes. We need to be vigilant in preventing incidents of this nature. I commend Dublin Fire Brigade on its efforts last night. We must ensure there is no return to the bad old days when we saw the tragic loss of life in Grenfell Tower.

I would be happy for the Minister to come to the House for a debate on Brexit. Senator Ardagh is right when she says there is no good news on Brexit. The Government has made its position on a hard Brexit clear. I want to wish the Taoiseach and the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, well as they travel to Brussels today for the talks on Friday. We have been clear on where we stand as a Government. I hope we will not be found wanting by our friends and colleagues across Europe. Ireland is a unique case as the country that will be most affected by Brexit. There is no good news on Brexit.

I would be happy for the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, to come to the House for a debate on the matter of rent. It is important to recognise that the Government has prioritised a range of actions to ensure existing rent predictability measures, such as rent pressure zones and increased security of tenure, are fully respected and enforced. Over half of all tenancies are now covered by rent protection zones. We are making sure landlords comply with the new rules. The figures show that there was a deceleration in the fourth quarter of last year, with standardised rents increasing by 1.1%, compared with 2.5% previously. As Senator Ardagh knows quite well, the Government is committed to Rebuilding Ireland and to increasing the supply of social and private housing.

I join Senator Boyhan in congratulating Ursula Halligan on her 18 or 19 years as political reporter for TV3. Her coverage was always balanced and fair. She has always been very courteous and professional. Her leadership and inspiration during the marriage equality referendum resonated with many people. Her intervention at a critical time in the campaign certainly struck a chord in the hearts of many people. I always found her courteous and diligent as a professional journalist. I wish her well in her new post in UCD. I think we should have a debate on the point made by Senator Boyhan about the relationship between the media and the body politic. We have not yet had such a debate.

Senator Boyhan rightly mentioned that tomorrow is Daffodil Day. I thank those who are volunteering across the country and wish them well in raising funds for hospice foundations and movements and for cancer care in all parts of the country. The great community spirit in Ireland is seen to be alive on Daffodil Day, which is a wonderful day. We all like to see the lapel badge - the daffodil of hope - as we look forward each spring. We will all support Daffodil Day tomorrow. I hope the weather will be good. As Senators will recall, we had a couple of years when this event was washed out. Tomorrow is a very important day and I thank everybody involved. I commend the Irish Cancer Society. As Senator Reilly said, one of the most important things we can do is eliminate smoking from our society so that we have a smoke-free Ireland.

Senator Paul Gavan referred to the unveiling of the portrait of Martin McGuinness. The most important legacy that people on all sides could leave in his memory would be a return of the power-sharing Executive in Stormont. It is important for all parties in the North to renew their efforts to go back into government. Martin McGuinness took a step to go into government with Ian Paisley and he took a step to lay down arms. On the anniversary of his death, the best legacy we can leave is for the Executive in Stormont to be returned. I hope that can happen.

Senators Gavan, Diarmuid Wilson and Frank Feighan spoke about the McAnespie family. I could not get to the audiovisual room today. We have had a debate on this matter in the House. Senator Robbie Gallagher has tabled a motion on it as well. We were all struck by what happened to young Aidan McAnespie. All of us want to see justice for the members of the McAnespie family, who have bravely and courageously highlighted this issue. Members can listen back to the powerful interview they gave on the "Miriam Meets" programme. I am not defending anything when I say for the record of the House that the Minister has said there are confidentiality issues with the Crowley report, which was compiled under the stewardship of Assistant Commissioner Crowley, and that to protect people-----