Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 22 Senators for their contributions to the Order of Business.

Senator Ardagh raised the issue of homeless families being moved out of emergency accommodation during the Pope’s visit in August. That would be contradictory if it was true and I hope that will not be the case.

Senators Ardagh, Butler, Norris, Devine, Noone and Ó Ríordáin raised the issue of the United States Government’s policy regarding the separation of families on the Mexican border. We had this discussion yesterday on the Order of Business. Today, there was the further announcement that the US will withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council, the first voluntary departure by a country. All of us stand united in condemnation of the policy of the separation of children from their parents and of the decision to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council. It is an America alone and isolationist policy. However, we should not be surprised given the rhetoric emanating from the US President and those around him since he was elected, which is wrong. We stand in solidarity to ensure an end to the policy.

I welcome the attempts by the Democrats and Republicans in the US House of Representatives and the Senate to put forward some type of legislation to end this policy. There is merit in the suggestion by Senators Ó Ríordáin and Noone's to boycott or absent ourselves from the Fourth of July independence celebrations in the US embassy. To be fair to the US chargé d'affaires in Dublin, he is not a politician; he is a civil servant who is simply doing his job. I do not necessarily agree with boycotts. I did not agree with Sinn Féin looking to boycott the Eurovision. I do not believe we should boycott sports. On this occasion, however, there is merit in our standing in solidarity as a country with those affected by the policies in question. As Senator Noone said, the US has been a beacon across the world. Many of our ancestors travelled there in pursuit of the American dream. I stand with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in condemning this policy.

Senator Marshall raised the issue of higher education students being affected by Brexit. It is a significant concern for those in further education. The Senator’s points require clarity and need to be addressed, especially when one considers higher education institutions have reached full capacity. Tomorrow is an important day in the Houses of the Oireachtas with the address by the European Commission President. It is important to recognise that the Government, on foot of the EU summit, is continuing to pursue the matter.

Senator Conway-Walsh raised the issue of the Murrisk to Louisburgh water supply, which needs to be addressed. One suggestion, which has not received universal approval, was consideration of a group water scheme. Irish Water needs to consider investment in the capital plan for the Westport area, along with Mayo County Council. I am sure the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Ring, who is from the area will work to bring about a resolution to this important matter. Senator Conway-Walsh might be judicious in resubmitting a request for this to be taken as a Commencement matter. Senator Ruane raised her very important harm reduction Bill. I certainly support her view that drugs, their supply and reduction of harm are matters not just for the Department of Justice and Equality, but also for the Department of Health. I would be happy to have the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, come before the House again to discuss the matter.

Senator Humphreys has elevated Deputy Noel Rock to the position of Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. I am sure Deputy Rock will be very happy with the elevation. Some in this House have a preoccupation with the Minister, Deputy Ross, in respect of his position as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. To be fair to the Minister, Deputy Ross, he has always been willing to come before the House. We should all welcome any amelioration that will benefit residents in respect of MetroLink. I would be happy to accede to the request of the former Minister of State, now Senator Humphreys, to have his good friend, Deputy Ross, who has become the bogeyman for many in this House, invited before the House to discuss transport. There is a need for a joined-up conversation about transport, not just in the capital city, but across the country, not least in respect of how we use the car, as referred to earlier, and investment in public transport. I think all of us will welcome the announcement by the Minister-to-be, Deputy Rock, on the solving of the problem between MetroLink and Na Fianna, but it is a matter we need to see resolved again. I will have the Minister come to the House at the earliest opportunity.

Senator O'Reilly raised decriminalisation of homosexuality. I again commend, as I did yesterday, Senator Nash on his work on the motion and our good friend, Senator Norris, on his wonderful efforts and his bravery. I will not go back over the debate again.

Senator O'Reilly also raised Brexit in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises. While the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, has a scheme available to businesses, Senator O'Reilly is correct: it is the business community around the Border region that will be affected the most. It is important to have that ongoing debate on Brexit and I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House to discuss the matter.

Senators Leyden and Kieran O'Donnell raised the issue of passports, which is gaining notoriety in the media. I wish to make the point to the House that in the past two years, passport applications have increased by 25%. We are now seeing approximately 80,000 passports applications per year. I had a Commencement matter on the issue last week. It is critical that people's information is up to date. Notwithstanding that, the Passport Office accepts - and we must understand this - that for first-time applications and other complex applications, the vetting takes a little longer. I am informed that 50% of adults receive their passport in less than a week with the remainder in under two weeks. The Passport Office has employed 220 extra staff, and the application for renewal of a passport through Passport Express takes approximately 16 days. Senator Kieran O'Donnell's comments on the need to have the website updated daily are important. Equally, it is critical that people engage in the application process early. I also make the point again today that we should have a printing machine or printing press in Cork, which could benefit the south west, the west and the Munster region overall. Linked to that, there could be less pressure on the Dublin offices as well. It is an issue we need to keep on the political landscape.

Senators Boyhan and Colm Burke raised World Refugee Day, and both Senators deserve to be commended on referring to the importance of the day and on standing with people who have been displaced and have had to flee their homelands for a variety of reasons. Senator Boyhan made reference to Brian Dawson's excellent report, which we all received, and I would be happy to have a debate on it in due course.

The other point Senator Boyhan made concerned the summer economic statement. It is my intention as Leader to have that debate in the House next week. We should take Senator Boyhan's two very sensible comments this morning about prudence and how one cannot spend money when one does not have it and put them in front of nearly every Senator's desk in the House because if we were to listen to some Members of the House, we would spend everything we had. I heard Senator Conway-Walsh talk about our rainy day fund. If we did not have a rainy day fund, we would be in a very bad way as a country in future and it is important we do not go back to the old days.