Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not have all of the facts, as I am not a member of the Cabinet, but I will request the Tánaiste to come to the House, if that is the request being made, for a debate on the issue, or if the Senator would prefer a briefing, it can be given to him. Either way, I am amenable to both. However, it is important that we stand against the use of chemical weapons.

Senator Craughwell also raised the important issue of adult education. I will be happy to schedule a debate on it. The school completion rate and the level of access to third level and further education have improved. The Senator's former role was in the education system and I agree with him. As a former director of adult education, I fully subscribe to and believe in the importance of returning to education of whatever hue.People of all ages returning to education, at FETAC level or not, is to be commended and encouraged.

Senator Conway-Walsh raised the issue of Translarna which she has raised before in the House. There is a High Court case pending as the Senator knows quite well. The HSE has made it clear it is willing to look at any resubmission of an application by the company in question. There was a limited introduction across Europe and a number of trials are being carried out. It is important, given the small number of people affected, that every effort is made to expedite its sanctioning and use. I would be happy to take up the matter with the Minister. To be fair, there is a court case pending and I do not want to get into it right now.

Senator Norris raised the issue of the works on Leinster House. The Cathaoirleach quite rightly said it is a matter for the commission. We will be happy to discuss it as part of the debate. Members of the House are on the commission.

Senator Byrne raised a number of issues. She wished Leinster and Munster well at the weekend. Sport unites us. Perhaps it also divides us but it unites us more than it divides us. We wish all our Irish teams well. I commend all the volunteers on Daffodil Day who were out in their droves across the country. I thank the volunteers and pay tribute to all involved in Daffodil Day. It is a huge day of awareness of cancer. I commend the Irish Cancer Society and its chief executive, former Senator, Averil Power, for the work it is doing. We need to see that issue continue to be at the forefront of what we do.

Senators Murnane O'Connor, Reilly and Conway-Walsh also raised the issue of World Autism Awareness Week. It is important to stand in solidarity with all families and organisations that have worked this week to light our country blue. The Cork Association for Autism is doing huge work. This week Cork Airport announced a new programme introducing a series of books to help children with autism to travel and to make it easier. It is to be commended. Senator Reilly also raised the issue of his Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill and the need to have a Government strategy. I assure the House it is not this House that is delaying that Bill. It is the other House. We need to put pressure on it. It is also important to continue investment in autism services and ensure we allow families to have access to treatment and diagnosis in a more timely way.

Senator Ó Donnghaile raised the issue of the North and the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. I saw the remarks his leader made in the hallowed halls of Queens University last night. The Government has always been very clear about our commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and our determination, as I have said here before, as a co-guarantor of that Agreement, to ensure the effective operation of all institutions.

Notwithstanding the remarks the Senator has made, it is important to get all parties back into talks so we can have a resumption of government from Stormont. The Government has indicated that to the Secretary of State, Karen Bradley, and the UK Government. That is the preferred route for all of us. It is the best route for the people in the North. It is also very much about the importance of having Government making decisions for the people in the North of our country. I would be happy to have the Tánaiste, Deputy Coveney, come back to the House to have discussions on the Brexit issue, which continues and is evolving as we go along. It is our intent to have that discussion after Easter. We had hoped to have it before the Easter recess.

I have addressed Senator Leyden's comments on the tragic deaths. I join with Senator Mulherin, as I did last week, in welcoming the visit of Pope Francis to our country. He is a most welcome visitor. It will not be a visit by a Head of State; he is attending a specific event. His itinerary might be limited but I hope he travels beyond Dublin. It would be a wonderful act by the leader of the Catholic Church to travel to the Archdiocese of Armagh, which is where the future cardinal is. Senators Mulherin and Mullen also referred to Knock shrine, which would be a wonderful place for him to visit. I would like to see the Pope come to Cork but I will not get into that because-----