Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, absolutely, the NTA as well. I made that point yesterday. We have a situation in my native city of Cork around the M28 where, had the NTA and the local authority engaged in a meaningful way, I believe there would not have been half the confusion that arose. It is important that people engage. In my case, I am ware that Councillor Emer Higgins, Deputies Rock and Brophy and Senator Reilly all have had public meetings on this matter. The bus redesign in our capital city is complex and, as Senator Reilly said, we cannot just go on a grid system in Dublin. It will have a profound impact and I hope we will see a positive outcome. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, will be in the House today.

I am smiling at Senator Humphreys making reference to the Minister's participation in the debate here. It was one debate where he spoke for a number of minutes on the Rugby World Cup but he has been here many times and, to be fair to the Minister, he has never shied away from debating transport matters. If we need to extend the Minister's time at the end, then the House can do so if that is the request and requirement. On the issue of cycling raised by Senators Horkan and Grace O'Sullivan, the Government has allocated €8 million to the cycling policy. There has been €100 million allocated in capital funding for cycling and walking infrastructure. In Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford, €55 million has been allocated in greenways and the Government is dedicated to implementing a cycling policy and improving cycling infrastructure. In tandem with that, it is important to recognise that the reduced speed limits in our urban areas will assist cyclists, as will the legislation on the minimum passing distances, as well as a commitment to the bike scheme and cycle lanes. I agree that the overarching thrust must be and should be about increasing the amount of money to be spent on promoting cycling as an alternative to the car and public transport.Senators Horkan, Conway and Colm Burke raised the issue of housing. The Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, will come to the House in the coming weeks to discuss the matter of housing. I will be happy to have him come to the House on that matter.

Senators Horkan and Feighan made reference to the issue of Brexit. The news today from Salzburg, while not unexpected, is nonetheless disappointing because we do not seem to have any further progress. A deal on Brexit, as we all know, is desirable and is what we want as a country. It is a very important time for us as a small island nation which will be most affected. We will be affected by Brexit, North and South. It is fair to say that much has been agreed already but the issue of Ireland is the major one. I commend the Taoiseach, the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, and particularly the Tánaiste and Minister, Deputy Coveney, on their work. I commend the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the issue of Brexit and all involved. We should not forget that the status quothat exists today will not be thestatus quoof the future. A good deal on Brexit will not allow us to have what we have now. We need to prepare ourselves for that. It is not a case that we can click our fingers and Brexit will disappear. There will be consequences. We will feel an effect from Brexit no matter what happens. We need to condition ourselves to understand that change will occur as a consequence of Brexit. Those who think it will not are misguided. There will be profound changes as a result of Brexit. We do not agree with the vote in the United Kingdom and we will be affected the most by it. We need to acknowledge that Brexit will have a profound impact. As the Minister, Deputy Creed, said recently, it is a negative net gain. There are no positives in it. We need to make ourselves aware of that.

Senator Craughwell made reference to the issue of the Defence Forces. Yesterday the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, was here to address Senator McFadden's Commencement matter. The Minister of State with responsibility for defence, Deputy Kehoe, has been very proud and proactive in his defence and support of members of our Defence Forces. He has always come to the House to debate matters regarding defence. That is why the Government has initiated the Public Service Pay Commission and why it is in the process of restoring pay and reversing the cuts that were introduced during the economic recession. It is fair to say that the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, of all the Ministers who have served in the Department, understands and values the role of our Defence Forces. It is demonstrated by his visits to Army barracks and to troops overseas. That is in addition to the Minister, Deputy Coveney's, commitment in the Mediterranean. That is why the Government set up the Public Service Pay Commission. Senator Craughwell made reference to the Public Service Pay Commission's submission. If Senator Craughwell took time, he would realise that like all public sector deals that submission will be published as part of the report. When the report is published, it will be clear for all to see what has been submitted and agreed. The outcome must be to enhance the pay and conditions of members of the Defence Forces. I look forward to the report being published in due course.

Senators Craughwell and Conway-Walsh raised the issue of the drug Spinraza and the presentation in the AV room by young people who have spinal muscular atrophy. It is a matter that is stressful for the families and the children affected. They face profound challenges that some of us here can only imagine. It is a progressive and life-limiting condition. The NCP has conducted a full pharmacoeconomic evaluation and has not recommended the reimbursement but there is an application with the HSE. I hope there will be a positive outcome in the case. I am a former Chairman of the Oireachtas health committee which held hearings on rare diseases. Perhaps a case could be made to the Minister for this drug to be considered under the orphan drugs scheme. I understand and acknowledge the stress and difficulties that arise and which these families and children face every day. I hope there will be a positive outcome. I thank the families for being here today and apologise that I could not be at the briefing this morning.

Senator Conway-Walsh raised the issue of the presidential election. I wish all candidates, of whatever hue, well, whether they are Independent, party or non-party. The local authorities are correct to invoke their powers to nominate candidates. I hope all who want to run can get a nomination to run and that we can have an election in which everyone can participate so that they can all be part of the debate. Senator Conway-Walsh made reference to the debate. Let us have the debate whatever it contains. What we must do is ensure the election is a fair and democratic one and that it is done in a manner which is respectful of each candidate's position and personality and I hope that happens.

Senator Murnane O'Connor referred to the success of our eventing team. I join with her in congratulating our eventing team on their silver medal. It was a fantastic weekend for Irish sport. Sam Watson, Cathal Daniels and Padraig McCarthy were joined in their success by the O'Donovan brothers and Sanita Puspure in the rowing. It shows the importance of the Government's support and of our support, as a nation, in putting value on sport. Sport is a great unifier and it brings great joy. It can bring heartbreak but when we see the successes of eventing and our rowers it augurs well. I congratulate the ladies of Dublin on winning the All-Ireland ladies' football last weekend. I am sure the Cathaoirleach will join with me in congratulating Cork on winning the camogie All-Ireland.

When Senator Murnane-O'Connor comes into the House I am not sure if she is trying to provoke me with her contributions but I remind her that nine out of every ten new jobs created in the past 12 months were outside Dublin. The Action Plan for Rural Development is committed to ensuring the economic recovery is felt throughout Ireland and the creation of rural jobs is vital in order to achieve this. In the region in which Senator Murnane-O'Connor lives and which she represents, 19,851 jobs were created last year by foreign companies. It is the third consecutive year of strong growth. We have seen more than 210,443 people employed through foreign direct investment in our country. Some people would not want any jobs or investment from abroad but 210,443 people have been employed by FDI companies in our country. In the regions, Senator Murnane O'Connor should know there was a 9% growth in the south east, where she is from, which amounts to 14,918 people in total employment. We should recognise there is employment happening and the Government is committed to the growth of the regions. It links to Senator Davitt's point. The national planning framework will be about improving the lives of people in rural Ireland. It is about ensuring that rural Ireland is habitable and that people can be employed and live there. The challenge we face in terms of shops closing is not only a rural Ireland one; it is an urban problem too. It is part of the modern word in which we live. If one listened to the debate yesterday on the post office network, it is a challenge we see in our post offices that has to be faced. A similar issue arises if one looks at our banking system. I will come back to Senator O'Donnell's comments in a minute. I appeal to the banks not to take people out of the banks in any part of the country. It beggars belief that we are now going into banks where there are no tellers or staff but only a machine. It is wrong and should not be allowed to continue. Senator Marshall raised the issue of the National Ploughing Championships and their benefits, as well as the benefits to rural Ireland. The points he made are well documented. The importance of farming and agriculture to our country is well noted by Government and the industry is a priority for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

I join Senator Feighan in congratulating the nations involved in the bid for the 2030 World Cup. I hope it is successful. It would be a fantastic achievement for the Football Association of Ireland, FAI, and for Ireland.

Senator Gavan raised the important issue of migration, in particular in the Moria camp, about which he is correct. Where are European values when it comes to dealing with people who are displaced and dispossessed and living in migrant camps? We have a duty and an obligation to highlight the inadequacies and the anomalies in that system, but also to be a harbour of welcome for people. I congratulate the Senator for raising the matter.

I thank Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell for her work on end-of-life care. Last week, the Irish hospice movement held a number of visible events around the country concerning end-of-life care. People like Mr. Bryan Nolan deserve huge credit, praise and gratitude for the work they are doing, their language and the way in which they engage with people. The Senator is so right. I do not mean to be patronising, but it is about language and communication. I heard a nice interview on "Today with Sean O'Rourke" last week. People said that if they talked about the issue, they felt they were bringing a curse on themselves. They did not want to talk about death and end-of-life care. It is something that is before us all, as the Senator said, and we must plan for end-of-life care. I hope that the Senator's report does not just limp along-----