Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that Senator Craughwell had the airwaves to himself over the Easter recess but we all believe that Defence Forces personnel deserve to be paid properly and fairly. Recruitment is ongoing and discussions and negotiations are under way as we speak. I believe it would be a wrong move to have An Taoiseach come into the House for a debate on the Defence Forces. The Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, is the line Minister for the Defence Forces and I am happy to ask him to return to the House for that debate. I am happy to discuss the matter further with Senator Craughwell following the Order of Business.

Senator Dolan raised the issue of Adam King, in respect of which I do not have information to hand. I agree with the Senator that it should not take a television or radio programme or an article in a newspaper for a person to get that to which he or she is entitled. If that is what happened in this case, that is unacceptable. We employ people in the HSE whose job it is to deliver services, provide equipment and manage facilities. I am happy to ask the Minister for Health to come to the House for a debate on the matter.

Senator Dolan is correct that provision of services and facilities for people with disabilities is at the core of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This is about people, men, women and children, who deserve to be treated with respect and in a dignified manner. I make no apology for saying that. The Senator will be aware of my involvement in terms of disability issues. The Senator is correct that it is not good enough that the HSE would only respond when a matter is highlighted on a television programme. We need proper planning on behalf of people.

Senator Bacik raised the issue of Syria. I thought we agreed a cross-party motion on the last occasion we discussed the issue. I join with Senator Bacik in condemning the attack in Syria last weekend. Ongoing counter military action is not the way forward. We need to bring about a resolution through the United Nations. I am of the view that the United Nations, in not doing its business, is failing the people of Syria. Senator Bacik is correct that the Russians have vetoed 12 UN motions on Syria. This is not only about the United Nations.I am on the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly, OSCE PA, and the Russians there are equally obdurate. However, I believe a concerted effort must be made to ensure that we end the slaughter and killing in Syria and the awful treatment of the people by their own. I commend the Senator on that.

Senators Bacik and Coghlan raised the freedom of the press and the ongoing issues around INM. All democrats recognise the importance of media and respect their independence and the need for a free and democratic press. Senator Coghlan spoke about media ownership. I believe his remarks are right. If we are going to have a small number of owners and a monopoly situation, that would be contrary to the common good. I agree with Senator Coghlan. In the Dáil this afternoon the Taoiseach said he would look at other reports on media freedom and that he would consider legislation, if required, to protect journalists' sources. All of us agree that we must have an independent, free press and strong, independent media. Any alleged breach of personal data is worrying and wrong and we should utterly condemn it. I realise the matter is before the courts as the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement has made an application to the High Court, but all of us agree on the need for strong, independent media.

Senators Black and Bacik raised the report on alcohol published by the HSE and Trinity College and commended the three authors of the report. It highlights what we on the Oireachtas joint committee began, which led to the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill being passed by this House. That Bill is on Committee Stage in the Dáil and is navigating its way through that House. The report highlights that we, as a people and a society, must have a serious conversation about our relationship with alcohol, how we misuse alcohol and the impact it has on people's lives, their work output in the context of the loss of hours and public health in terms of bed nights in hospitals. It is something we will have to return to again on a number of occasions.

Senators Conway-Walsh and Swanick raised transport and bus route No. 52 from Ballina to Galway. I am not familiar with the issue they raised. I am of the view that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport should not be au faitwith all transport routes and links in the country, but it is a matter for the Department. The Senators said it was TII or the NTA that has overall responsibility, but I will be happy to invite the Minister to the House to discuss transport matters. I believe that, in general, there must be more accountability on the part of Bus Éireann and the NTA regarding the provision of bus service routes and bus shelters across the country. There is no accountability. Equally, in health matters, the HSE must step up and be held to account for the management of the resources it has been given. To be fair to the Minister, Deputy Ross, he is not responsible for the planning of bus routes but I will endeavour to bring him to the House to discuss transport.

Senators Murnane O'Connor and Devine raised the publication today of the Women's Aid report. The figures in that report are very worrying. I commend Women's Aid on its invaluable work. The Government is committed to supporting the victims of domestic violence. When we previously discussed the Domestic Violence Bill all of us spoke about the need to end the menace of domestic violence. The programme for Government is committed to the second national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. It is important to add the latter as well. The ratification of the Istanbul Convention is part of that. The Domestic Violence Bill that was passed by this House is also navigating its way through the Dáil and is on Report Stage. I hope it will be passed because it is important that we send a strong message to society in general regarding the issues raised by Senators Murnane O'Connor and Devine. It is also about raising awareness and I hope we can have a debate in the House on the report in the coming weeks.

Senator Ó Céidigh raised Brexit and the issue of aviation policy.I will be happy to have the Minister come to the House to discuss this important matter, particularly aviation safety after Brexit.

Senator Ray Butler raised the issue of local authorities using private traffic warden services, specifically in Navan. As I am not familiar with the issue, perhaps he will submit it as a Commencement matter.

Regrettably, I cannot accept the amendment proposed by Senator Swanick. It is not that I disagree with the sentiment the Senator expresses but rather that talks on a new contract for general practitioners, including remuneration, are about to begin between the medical organisations, the Department and the Health Service Executive. I agree that progress must be made in this matter. Rather than divide the House, I ask the Senator to withdraw the amendment. I will ask the Minister to come to the House for a debate on this important matter. I appreciate the work being done by general practitioners in the primary care setting, which is of great importance in the future health landscape as we enter the era of Sláintecare. I will be pleased to hold a debate on the matter at a later stage.

I compliment Senator Swanick and Senator Conway-Walsh on accepting, on behalf of the people of Erris, an award at the People of the Year Awards. Senator Hopkins also attended the event with members of her local community. The attendance of Senators showed that politicians are members of the community and are not aloof and isolated. Comhghairdeas le na Seanadóirí.

Senator Richmond referred to the 14 new schools announced last week. The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Richard Bruton, is committed to coming to the House in the weeks ahead to discuss the Action Plan for Education. I will be glad to have the matter raised by the Senator discussed in that debate.

Senator Ó Ríordáin also raised the issue of education. I am not familiar with the important issue he raised regarding a school for Travellers. Perhaps he will consider submitting a Commencement matter on the issue. Regarding housing and land zoning, it is important to strike the right balance between our desire for more housing and the need to keep open spaces open to the public for recreational and leisure use. I agree with the Senator on this point. I also welcome today's meeting between the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills and students to discuss the need for a cap on rents for student accommodation.

To respond to Senator Paddy Burke, I congratulate and pay tribute to all of those involved in the opening of the Chinese market to Irish beef. The Senator correctly noted his role in this matter and the role played by others, including the former Ceann Comhairle, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. I compliment the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and his officials on the work they did to deliver access to this significant market for Irish farmers.

I concur with Senator Boyhan on the need for a complete reform of the rates system. While the system cannot be abolished for obvious reasons, I agree it is archaic and needs to reviewed, not least the matter of the role of the Valuation Office in determining the moneys being paid by a sizeable company. I will ask the Minister to come to the House to debate the issue.

On Senator Feighan's comments on the Good Friday Agreement, he can raise these matters in tomorrow's debate with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Simon Coveney.

If Senator Swanick agrees to withdraw his motion, I will have the Minister come to the House for a debate in the coming weeks.