Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I commend the schools for their creation of an urban Gaeltacht. Senator Ardagh is right to highlight the matter. The national development plan has included the MetroLink north and south projects. As Members will be aware, legitimate concerns are being raised by Senator Ardagh but also by residents and stakeholders affected by the route of the proposed development of the MetroLink. Notwithstanding the benefits it will bring, it is important to listen and understand how we can deliver the MetroLink project while maintaining routes that do not affect the people spoken of this morning.

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, along with the National Transport Authority, NTA, are engaging in a public consultation process on the matter and it is due to conclude some time in May. I hope that as part of that consultative process, there will be real engagement with those affected. I have asked the Minister to come to the House to discuss transport matters because we have had a number of requests in the past number of weeks.

Senator Boyhan raised tonight's "Prime Time" programme but I do not want to pre-empt the issues coming up in the programme. However, it is important to recognise the serious issues being raised around foster care. I refer, in particular, to the issues of sexual abuse and breach of trust.None of us can condone or support any such behaviour. I hope that, with the airing of the segment on "RTÉ Investigates", we will continue to see rigorous assessment and checks and balances in the area of foster care. As a former Chairman of the committee dealing with health and children affairs, I know that such incidents are rare. In saying that, where there are people opening their homes and offering children in need a place to receive love and care, it is important that foster carers be above reproach. I will watch the programme tonight and, if necessary, we will have the appropriate Minister come to the House to discuss the issue. The case in question was referred to the National Review Panel, which is an independent body, and there will be outcomes. We will await the discussion on the programme tonight.

Senator Victor Boyhan complimented and congratulated Ms Justine McCarthy on receiving in Ballybunion at the weekend the Mary Cummins Award for Women for Outstanding Achievement in Media. I join the Senator in congratulating Ms McCarthy as we all recognise that she is a very fair and thorough investigative reporter. We congratulate her on being the recipient of this prestigious award. I also join the Senator in saying, as I have before on the Order of Business, that we need an independent media to hold the Executive to account and which are also fair and balanced in their approach to reporting.

Senator Rose Conway-Walsh raised the matter of the hooded men. Like the Senator, I hope this afternoon's meeting with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Simon Coveney, will bring further progress to the case being presented by the men in question. Looking at the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights, the decision was six:one, which does not add up in some of our minds. In his interjection Senator David Norris made reference to the fact that it was torture.