Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 20 Members of the House for their contributions on the Order of Business. Like the Cathaoirleach, on behalf of all of us in the House, I acknowledge and welcome to the Gallery the members of the Historical and Reconciliatory Police Society and thank them for their contribution to public service and to public life. I worry that they are with Senator Craughwell. I am not sure whether that is a good or bad omen but, knowing Senator Craughwell, it could lead to a long day. They are most welcome in the House and I thank them for being here.

On a sad note, on behalf of the House, I extend our sympathies to our colleague and friend, Senator Ó Céidigh, on the loss of his mother, Rita, during the Easter recess. Our thoughts are with the Senator and his family.

Senator Mark Daly raised the issue of the advertising campaign on domestic violence. It was raised yesterday on the Order of Business. The Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, when confronted about the issue at the publication yesterday, agreed to reflect upon the issues that were raised. All of us recognise that this campaign has been going on since 2016. It is an issue that requires huge support to be given to the victims of domestic violence. As the Senator rightly said, that involves legislative means plus support. Any issues that have been addressed need to be taken on board. The campaign was well intentioned. We are seeing extra resources being directed to assist the victims of domestic violence. It is, as I stated yesterday, a menace in society that we must stamp out. It has no place in Irish society. The Government is committed to doing all that it can in the area of domestic violence. As I stated yesterday, the Domestic Violence Bill 2017 is going through the Lower House. The second national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence has been published. It has three central pillars, namely, prevention, provision of services to victims and holding perpetrators to account, along with implementation, monitoring and data. It is important to recognise that the advertisement campaign was commissioned to reach an audience, raise awareness and encourage support. If anybody has an issue with the campaign, he or she needs to be listened to as well. The Government is committed to ensuring that the voices that spoke yesterday will be heard. I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House on the matter.

Senator Mark Daly also made reference to the issue of the undocumented Irish. It is an important issue and the Senator rightly highlighted the issues raised on the St. Patrick's Day visit by An Taoiseach to the White House and the remarks of President Trump. I would be happy to have the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, come to the House on the matter. I note Deputy Deasy has been appointed as the Government envoy on this important issue. There was a telling contribution on radio this morning of a young man who spoke eloquently about whether he would come home and about the text alert system that is activated when US immigration is on the move in parts of the north-east United States. It is an issue that will not go away and one on which we need to see continuous work. I will work on a bipartisan basis on that. It is important that we all support the initiatives being taken.

Senator Boyhan raised the issue of housing and the two housing summits with the Minister and the CEOs of the different councils. The Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, will be in the House next week to have a debate on housing and I would be happy to have the issue raised there.

Senator Norris's motion is a matter for debate within the House. The Cathaoirleach stated, by way of information, the current position but I would be happy to have that debated as part of a motion that the Senator is putting forward.