Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join Senator John O'Mahony, first, in congratulating Leinster on their magnificent victory at the weekend in the Champions Cup. I wish them well in the final. I also pay tribute to Munster and express pride in the manner of their comeback in the second half of the match. I share the Senator's dismay and disappointment at the prohibitive cost of flights being offered to supporters of Leinster who wish to travel to the final. It is not good enough to see fares up to €800 being charged. I will be happy to have the appropriate Minister come to the House to speak about the issue. The Senator is a former Chairman of the committee dealing with transport and sporting matters and has been very strong in his defence of supporters of all sports who travel to and from events. It is not acceptable and disappointing to see fans being ripped of in this manner. It is a captive audience, given the nature of the event.

Senator Robbie Gallagher raised the matter of education and referred to the report from the Catholic Primary School Management Association. I remind the Senator that the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Richard Bruton, has increased the budget by €1 billion in the past two years and that €10 billion is being invested in education. It is the highest ever budget spend in the sector. In the past two years we have seen 5,000 special needs assistant posts created and there will be an extra 2,000 this year. There will be 1,280 extra teachers.The Government is fully committed to investment in education, with 110 schools in disadvantaged areas benefitting and 20,000 students being supported further. It is also important to recognise, which Senator Gallagher did not mention, that while there have been cuts to capitation, the cuts were first announced by the then Tánaiste, former Deputy Mary Coughlan, and the capitation levels are now above the 2008 levels. The Minister, Deputy Bruton, is committed to the restoration of the capital funding and to putting in place the operation of the parent and student charter. He is also asking schools to explain how they spend their allocation of funding. The Minister will come to the House. The programme for Government allows for an increase in capitation so we can have that debate when the Minister comes to the House in the next few weeks to discuss education.

Senator Craughwell raised the issue of the Defence Forces. We have given that matter a good airing in the past number of weeks. The Minister of State will be in the House next week, and I thank Senator Craughwell for not calling for a vote on the Order of Business. To be fair, he approached me about it prior to the Order of Business. The Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, will come to the House next week for the debate on the Defence Forces.

Senator Butler referred to obesity and diabetes in the context of a UK report on cancer. We have seen the introduction of a voluntary code in Ireland regarding the advertising and marketing of junk food to young people. It is important to have a debate on obesity and on how we can use the umbrella Healthy Ireland project to promote and have a better attitude to exercise, diet and lifestyle.

Senators Marie-Louise O'Donnell, Bacik, McFadden and Warfield raised the report published yesterday regarding the RTÉ orchestras. The comments of all Members of the House on the report and the orchestras are absolutely correct. Our cultural institutions must be enhanced. Members who sit in the waiting room in RTÉ on a Tuesday night as they wait to go on "The Late Debate" programme can hear the orchestra practising and can appreciate the level of endeavour and the quality and talent of the musicians involved. As Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell said, it is the culture of expression, the precision of the heartbeat and what gives us oxygen. If people attend the pre-Christmas "Sunday Miscellany" concert in the National Concert Hall they will see in huge graphic detail the power of the orchestra and the importance of these cultural institutions.

The Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Madigan, said in the Dáil today that she and the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, will examine the report and return with recommendations. This is of extreme importance. We might disagree as to whether it should be under the remit of RTÉ or elsewhere but we all agree that both orchestras must be protected and supported. I agree with the remarks of the Senators this afternoon on the matter. While it is about culture it is also about what we stand for as a people and how we view ourselves. If we cannot stand united on this, we count for little in terms of our culture. The Senator is correct that it is the beating heart. I will be happy to schedule a debate when the Minister is ready to make recommendations or even prior to her making her decision.

I do not have the answers to Senator Devine's questions regarding the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, and the UN rapporteur. I am not aware of the issues in terms of what the Senator referred to as not happening. The Minister, Deputy Zappone, is very committed to the mother and baby homes issue.

With regard to the digital commissioner, that matter is before the Government. The Minister was in the House before Christmas to discuss the issue and I will be happy to invite the Minister back to the House to discuss it. The Senator is correct that online digital harassment is becoming far too prevalent and causing far too much distress to people. It is having a detrimental effect on their mental health. We must work collectively to ensure it can be stamped out, and I will be happy to work with the Senator on that. I do not have the information to hand but I will endeavour to get it for the Senator or, if she prefers, she could submit a Commencement matter.Senator McFadden raised the issue of Irish Water, planning and the Parteen Basin to Dublin proposal. She referred to the importance of investment in our water infrastructure, which is something we certainly should support. In the context of a post fee era, the issue of Irish Water is really relevant.

I agree completely with Senator Bacik regarding the mural at the Project Arts Centre that was taken down. The relationship between the Standards in Public Office Commission, SIPO, politics and the Charities Regulator under the Charities Act must be addressed. We can become over zealous and too politically correct. That is certainly a debate that should happen. Perhaps the Taoiseach is correct that the mural in favour of repeal of the eighth amendment gained far more notoriety than it would have had if there had been no kerfuffle about it. I commend the artist involved.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan raised the very important issue of the position of the horse racing industry in our country. I agree that there is a need to have a debate on the avoidance of a monopoly in the transmission of race meetings and am happy to organise same. While I would defer to Senator O'Sullivan's superior knowledge when it comes to horse racing, I would suggest that the fact that Channel 4 has now transferred racing coverage to ITV means that it is less accessible to Irish viewers. I subscribe to Sky but do not have Sky Sports. Unless TV3 is carrying Cheltenham or Aintree, I will have difficulty watching racing. The point the Senator makes is that "At the Races" provided an important and valuable service in terms of showcasing Irish racing. The possibility of Racing UK having a monopoly is a matter of concern. I am happy to invite the Minister to the House to discuss the matter.

Senator Mulherin raised the issue of An Bord Pleanála in the context of plans and ambitions for growth in rural Ireland. She is a champion of rural Ireland and regional development and has raised such matters on many occasions. It is important to recognise that An Bord Pleanála is independent of the political process. That said, it is important that the board delivers reports on oral hearings in a timely manner and does not prolong issues in rural Ireland. I am happy to schedule a debate on that matter.

Beidh plé againn mar gheall ar chúrsaí taistil. Senator Ó Céidigh asked for a debate on transport and I am happy to have the Minister, Deputy Shane Ross, come to the House to discuss traffic congestion in particular, as well as investment in public transport. Senator Richmond praised the Government in the context of the EU-Mexico trade deal. I commend the Minister of State, Deputy Pat Breen, for his role in that matter. As Senator Richmond rightly said, we are proud to see trade links being developed with Japan, South Korea and Canada. Given President Trump's propensity to engage in trade wars, it is important that we broaden our horizons and open Ireland up to new markets across the world. I am happy to have a debate on that issue in the coming weeks.

Senators Kieran O' Donnell and Colm Burke raised the matter of the M20, a very important piece of infrastructure. I welcome today's announcement of the tender to appoint design and planning consultants, which will bring the €8 million M20 project closer to fruition. This is such an important piece of infrastructure for the south and south west. It has the support of this Government because of its importance to the Cork-Limerick region in terms of connectivity. Senator O'Donnell is correct to ask for a deadline of 2026 for completion to support Adare Manor's Ryder Cup bid. I am happy to support Senator O'Donnell in making that call.

I join Senator Murnane O'Connor in commending all of the volunteers who were involved in national spring clean month. In particular, I commend the Tidy Towns volunteers who do a huge amount of work across the country, week in and week out. Reference was made to the canal in Portobello, which reminded me of Paddy Kavanagh's poem, Canal Bank Walk:

Leafy-with-love banks and the green waters of the canal,

Pouring redemption for me.

The Grand Canal in Dublin, of which the Barrow Line is a branch, joins the River Barrow navigation in Senator Murnane O'Connor's county of Carlow. The canal bank is a tremendous asset and provides a place to walk and exercise. We must take personal responsibility for the rubbish which is discarded on the banks. We need to call out the people who are throwing rubbish in these areas and highlight it. I will be happy for the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, to come to the House in regard to the matter.

Let me confirm to Senator Colm Burke that we will be having a debate on Brexit. I commend him for his tweet today. The Border is not just a small matter, it is of significant importance to the people on the island of Ireland and, as Senator Burke rightly said, the author of the article knows little when she states that only a tiny amount of trade crosses the Irish Border. There are also the excursions back and forth.

Senator Mac Lochlainn raised the issue of the provision of goods and nappies for those who are incontinent. I am not aware of the matter he raised but it beggars belief that there should be an inordinate delay for people who are most vulnerable, be they adults who require incontinence pads or children who require nappies. We must get an immediate answer to this matter. I assume the HSE is the body responsible for the delivery of the items. I am not sure to which area the Senator is referring, but the matter needs to be addressed urgently. I have not gone up to Swan Park, but I put a request into the Minister's office, as I said I would.

Senator Dolan is correct to highlight the issue of the Irish Heart Foundation report this morning and to commend Mr. Chris Macey, the head of advocacy on the work he is doing. The Senator is correct, it is not only older people who are now prone to suffering a stroke, younger people are having strokes and that is why we need to be very clear around the issue of strokes. It goes back to Senator Butler's point regarding a balanced lifestyle, health and exercise. We will invite the Minister to come to the House to debate this in the coming weeks.