Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Paul Daly for highlighting and alerting us to the anomaly in respect of the green cert for the training of young farmers. I do not have the information to hand. That may be an issue on which, as a matter of urgency, the Senator might table a Commencement matter. He might get an answer. The issue he raises certainly needs to be scrutinised further. I am not an expert on farming, as the Senator knows quite well, but the issue he raises should be taken further and any anomalies should certainly be ironed out. I thank him for raising the matter. I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House.

Senator Boyhan raised the issue of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. As the Senator himself quite rightly said, it is important to remember those who were killed and to commend those who are campaigning for justice. He rightly said that the Tánaiste was in the House this morning for a Commencement matter when he outlined that, as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, he is actively engaging with the British Government. He has spoken to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley, about the issue. To quote from his speech this morning, he has, "consistently underlined to the British Government that the Dáil motions represent the consensus political view in Ireland that an independent, international judicial review of all the relevant documents is required to establish the full facts of the Dublin-Monaghan atrocities." The Tánaiste has been very clear on that. I thank Senator Boyhan for his remarks. The Government is not opposing the Private Members' motion this afternoon, as the Senator knows, and we will have that debate later on. Again, it is important that we ascertain all of the facts and that justice prevails at all times.

Senator Mulherin raised the very important issue of home care packages in Mayo and the length of waiting times. The pertinent point she makes is that the HSE has the information and that people should not have to wait an inordinate length of time for funding or for a place to be allocated because it has ramifications in that there are people in beds in hospitals who are depriving other people of access to the system when they could be at home or in a transition or step-down facility. The point the Senator makes is very valid.

Senator Gavan raised the issue of Catalonia. There was a motion before the Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privileges in the name of Senator Gavan's party leader. It is under review. On the point he makes on the new arrangement now in place in Catalonia, as I said earlier it is important that people are allowed to express a different viewpoint, to protest in a peaceful democratic manner and to have their voice heard. I have always been supportive of that. I hope the issue in Catalonia is resolved. I know Mr. Puigdemont is not under arrest. I think he is still in Germany. Is he?