Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is five years since Ireland qualified. On Europe Day is it not great that we can celebrate our participation in Europe and the Eurovision song contest final? As Senator Horkan rightly stated, it celebrates the importance of Europe to us as a nation. Survey results have indicated that 92% of our people want to remain in Europe, which sends a positive message to all of us as Europeans. We are at the heart of Europe.

Senators Ardagh and Ned O'Sullivan raised the issue of threats to life as detailed in The Irish Times report this morning. I reiterate that gangland crime has no place in a civilised society and any threat to life, as described by both Senators, is to be condemned out of hand. It should not and is not being tolerated by An Garda Síochána. I remind Senator Ardagh, in particular, that this Government set up Operation Hybrid with the Garda in the context of the Kinahan-Hutch feud. There were increased resources for An Garda Síochána and new legislation around the Criminal Assets Bureau. I remind the House that the previous Government reopened Templemore and we have seen an increase in the number of gardaí. We have also seen a commitment to the civilianisation of the force to allow more gardaí on the street. There is a commitment to have 800 new members in 2018. Garda numbers increased to 13,551 by the end of last year, an increase of 600 in that year. I encourage people to become aware of the facts.

We have seen an increase in resourcing around overtime and expenditure for An Garda Síochána. There has been €1.65 billion allocated to the Garda Vote for overtime in 2018, which is an increase of 2%. A Supplementary Estimate was brought forward yesterday by the Minister, Deputy Flanagan. It is important to recognise that we must stand up to crime and criminals. We must stand with people in communities in the inner city, as mentioned by Senators Ned O'Sullivan and Ardagh. Suggesting the Government is doing nothing is incorrect. Members should cast their minds back to the Garda special crime task force established in 2016, which was again aimed at targeting those crime gangs in our capital city. The work is supported by the increase in resources by the Government. I accept we need to do more and I will always stand up for An Garda Síochána. The issue of homelessness was raised by Senator Ardagh. The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, has not in any way changed, tampered with or massaged the figures. He commissioned a report from the Dublin Region Homeless Executive to investigate increasing numbers with a view to preparing a detailed report and recommendations. There was an issue with Louth County Council. The Minister is committed, as is the Government, to prioritising the tackling of the issue of homelessness.

Senators Boyhan and Grace O'Sullivan raised the issue of the Mulcahy report. I have no information for the House regarding this particular matter. I am happy for the Minister to come to the House on it. If both Senators put it down as a Commencement matter, however, they may get a quicker answer.

Senators Conway-Walsh, Craughwell, Hopkins, Colm Burke and Lombard raised the issue around the cervical screening programme, the way in which women have been badly let down, the issue of the State Claims Agency and the report on Portiuncula Hospital published last week. This is a distressing, harrowing, disgusting and tragic chapter in our nation's history. It is imperative that we get answers and all the facts into what took place and transpired. That is why the Government has set up a statutory inquiry. The Government and all Members want to see accountability. The priority is women's health and getting the answers. The Government is listening. That is why we want to ensure that the statutory inquiry establishes every single fact and puts things right. It must also restore confidence in the cervical cancer screening programme and in our health system in general.

What we do not want to see happen is a race to have a head roll and then a vacuum which must be filled. I want to see every person, not just Tony O'Brien, held to account regarding this issue. It is easy to point the finger at Tony O'Brien. He is just one person. There are many different layers into which we must delve down to get the answers for the women and their families that they deserve. That is why the Taoiseach has asked the Attorney General to settle such cases. We cannot assume all cases will be the same. I agree with Senators Conway-Walsh, Lombard and Craughwell that we cannot put women and their families through the harrowing experience, hardship and difficulty of going up the steps of a courthouse and into a courtroom for a prolonged time. That day is over. That is why the Taoiseach has asked the Attorney General, where possible, to mediate and have these cases settled.