Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Recent statistics show a 45.7% increase in construction activity. I assure the Senators opposite that the Government is bringing the same determination to housing as it brought to the Action Plan for Jobs. I accept the frustration of Members with regard to housing but we should put the issue in perspective. I mean this genuinely. Our construction sector was decimated and our banking system had collapsed. We are now starting to see activity recommence. Policies take time. I agree with Senator Ardagh's point on the need for greater use of State land and for compellability regarding the use of land for social and affordable housing.

Senators Boyhan, Norris, Feighan and Conway-Walsh raised the visit of Pope Francis in August. I share the views expressed by Members that the attempts by some to use the online booking system to deny people the opportunity to go and see Pope Francis is pathetic and wrong. We live in a republic and the essence of a republic is that we can celebrate diversity and people can also choose whether to celebrate or not celebrate religion, as the case may be. It is incumbent on all of us to ensure that everyone, whether he or she is a Christian, atheist, Muslim or Jew, is allowed to celebrate the visit of the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, to our country in August. Like Senator Norris, I have certain views about how the church has changed. I spent five years in a seminary with my good friend, Senator Wilson, and the model of church I would like to see is not one that represses people but one that embraces and welcomes people. That is why I believe it is important that when the Pope visits at the end of August, as many as possible of those who wish to celebrate his visit are able to do so. I also hope family, in its diversity and in all its forms, will be celebrated, not just the nuclear family in which some people exclusively believe.

Senator Feighan rightly quoted an article from Fr. Gerard Moloney. We must be careful that in a new modern Ireland, we do not return to the days of repressing people because they are in a minority or certain category. We should be able to have an opinion and voice and articulate it. We should do so in a manner that is free and safe and where we do not have trolls on social media or some of the know-alls in the commentariat taking us all down with their different viewpoints.

I very much welcome the visit of Pope Francis. I hope those people who wish to join him while he is here will be able to do so in an manner that is respectful and safe and that we will herald his visit. This will be the second time a Pope has visited our country and it is a good day for the country when he can come. I wish everybody involved in the organisation of World Family Day and its associated events every success.

Senator Boyhan also referred to housing. Senator Conway-Walsh raised the issue of agency staff, on which I spoke yesterday when Senator Devine raised the matter. A discussion is needed on agency staff and their employment and use in the HSE. We spend vast amounts of money on them and while they are obviously required in some cases owing to the nature of work, sickness and temporary replacements, the model for the use of agency staff needs to be changed.

Senators Marie-Louise O'Donnell, Kieran O'Donnell and Frank Feighan raised the issue of community banking. In response to Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell, whose right to move an amendment to the Order of Business I fully respect, I understand her passion about the importance of community banking and the need for competition for our pillar banks. The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment is not the Minister with responsibility for community banking. The report referred to by the Senator was presented to Cabinet on 22 May. It has not been published. In a reply to a parliamentary question last week, the Minister for Rural and Community Development indicated the report had been completed.It has been submitted to Government and will be published shortly. I will further say to Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell that the ongoing consultation on the publication of the report is important. I make an assurance to her that, upon the publication of the report by Government, which I believe is imminent, we will debate it in the House. We cannot debate a report that has not been published. The points raised by and linked with Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell about community banking are very important. I believe that affordable housing is an issue on which we need to see absolute urgency and expedition in Government policy. It is critical. As Senator O'Donnell said, we want to see people come home to Ireland to live, work, rear their families and be contributors to our society and economy. We are close to full employment. I accept the premise of Senator O'Donnell's argument that we need competition. We also need a functioning pillar bank system.