Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Hopkins raised the issue of the recent report on Portiuncula Hospital. Like many of us, we would like to offer our sympathies to the families whose lives have been devastated and tragically affected by the failures of the care given to them at the hospital. From looking at the news last Thursday night, what should have been a joyful and happy occasion turned out to be one of grief and sadness. I thank the families for coming forward to share their experiences with the review team. What we need now is absolute action. We have seen changes with the appointments of staff at the hospital. To the untrained eye, however, some of the issues involved, from reading X-rays to different functions, were not rocket science. I was stunned when I read the report and the testimony given. I welcome that we have seen changes. There is lead management in place and a different model for the delivery of care, along with significant investment in the hospital. Senator Hopkins is right that there is a need for the Minister to attend the House. I am happy for him to attend on a debate on the national maternity strategy, an important piece of work being done by the Government and which I hope will deliver for women.

Senator Horkan raised the important issue of climate change. The European Commissioner, Phil Hogan, referred to it in his address to the House several weeks ago. There is an obligation on us to have a conversation around climate change, in particular given the importance of agriculture to the country. The farming community has a critical role to play in the issue of climate change. I am happy for the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten, to attend the House on this matter. We must prioritise it and keep it to the forefront, in light of the fact that the US President, Donald Trump, has taken the US out of the Paris climate change agreement.

Senator McDowell raised the issue of Dublin City Council's proposals to demolish its apartment buildings. It is a matter for the council. However, he is correct that we need more housing. How we arrive at a model of delivery of housing is one that we can have a debate on and I am glad for the Minister to come to the House in that regard.

Senator Richmond raised the issue of linguistic skills. It is one we need to address given that we will soon be the only English language speaking country in the European Union. It is also important we promote the use of other languages with our schoolgoing population through our curriculum. I will be happy for the Minister to come to the House for a debate on that issue.

Senator Ó Céidigh raised the issue of the location of speed vans. It is important to recognise that one third of the deaths on our roads are caused by speeding. I know from travelling around the country that the speed vans are always in the same place. One could almost set one's clock as to when they will be at a certain location. They are, however, in places where there are many accidents.Having said that, they should not be used as part of a moneymaking operation either. It is important that we all work to reduce accidents and deaths on the roads. Perhaps that means all of us taking the foot off the pedal a little more and being more conscious of speed. I would be happy for the Minister to come to the House to discuss speed cameras.

Senator Burke made reference to our health system and the challenges in that regard.

I have dealt with the remarks of Senators Grace O'Sullivan, Lombard, Ned O'Sullivan and Coghlan in my reply.

I will conclude by congratulating Senator McDowell on his election and I wish him well. It is a big committee of 26 people and I hope he can herd the committee to a safe harbour to produce a report in a timely fashion.