Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators who raised issues on the Order of Business. Senator Ardagh raised the issue of crime and highlighted a number of worrying statistics, particularly in the area of sexual offences. They are frightening statistics, as far as I am concerned. I do not know when mandatory sentencing will be introduced but it is something in which I would be very interested. I agree with Senator Ardagh that it is necessary. The Senator also expressed sympathy to the family of a lady who was killed tragically in her constituency. We all extend our sympathies to the family concerned.

Senator Lawless raised the important issue of organisations that support the Irish diaspora abroad and he spoke very eloquently about the services that they provide to many vulnerable people and, in particular, the undocumented. There is great uncertainty among the undocumented in the US under the Trump Administration, which is very worrying for individuals on a daily basis. It is vital that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade increases the funding to those worthwhile organisations.

Senator Conway-Walsh and others raised the issue of the Good Friday Agreement. We are all at one in that regard. As stated by Senator Ó Donnghaile, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have been very strong on the issue. Ms Arlene Foster, MLA, and her hard core DUP supporters are on a solo run. Nobody on the island of Ireland supports what she said. The Good Friday Agreement is internationally recognised as having been a success and it is not up for negotiation.

Senator Ruane raised the housing crisis. Homelessness is one of the greatest challenges facing this Government.It goes without saying that nobody wants to see people homeless. That is why there is a massive social housing programme under way at the moment. Under Project Ireland 2040 the Government is committed to providing 100,000 new social homes over the next decade. Since 2016 more than 15,000 new social homes have been provided. We are on track to have almost 8,000 new social homes provided this year, 9,500 in 2019, 11,000 in 2020 and more than 12,000 in 2021 and we are committed to keeping the level of new social home provision at 12,000 per annum thereafter. This is a level of social housing provision that is unprecedented in recent decades. It is obviously very much needed and something to which the Government is committed. The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is working with local authorities to bring a number of additional hubs on stream in 2018, details of which will become available as projects are finalised by housing authorities. Given the continuing numbers of families presenting to homeless services, as well as the continuing use of hotels, early in January the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government commenced a rapid hub programme that will see additional family places added to existing hubs. Family hubs offer families living arrangements with a greater level of stability. All of the indicators are now showing some improvement but obviously it is still a monumental challenge and one which the Government is committed to meeting.

Senator Kevin Humphreys raised the related issue of regulating Airbnb. It is my understanding that an announcement will be made in that regard in a number of weeks. I was in touch with the Minister about that very issue yesterday and while he did not give me an exact timeframe, he said that there are variables relevant to the budget which he is trying to work out. I would expect an announcement very soon but if I get anything more concrete on that, I will pass it on to Senator Humphreys who has been raising this issue consistently in the House.

Senator Lombard raised the issue of beef prices and the beef forum that is taking place today. He spoke of how much commercial enterprises control the food environment including in the fruit and vegetable and tillage sectors. Food production in so many areas is very much commercially driven. Labelling is important, not just from the perspective of knowing the source of food but also in terms of knowing who got what along the way. That would be very helpful because some supermarkets drive down the prices so much that it is just not sustainable for producers to continue producing.

Senator Murnane O'Connor referred to the leaving certificate and the State Examinations Commission. I was also shocked to see that the case involving a student from Wexford went as far as it did and that she had to go to the High Court. It is simply not good enough. Senator McDowell also raised the homelessness issue and the supply of social and affordable housing. His point was highly appropriate and I have already addressed the issue in my response to Senator Ruane. Senator McFadden raised the issue of young people in State care. She spoke about those leaving State care at 18 being put out on the street, which is appalling. It raises the question as to how we handle that type of situation and what guidance those young people are given as they approach their 18th birthday. It would be worthwhile having a debate in the House on the matter with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone. I will ask the Leader to arrange such a debate sooner rather than later.

Senator Gavan raised the issue of childcare, on which I have done some work in recent years. It is an issue that comes up all of the time because parents are finding it very difficult to afford childcare. It is regrettable that on the last occasion there was an increase in the minimum wage, the cost was passed on to those who were procuring childcare services. At the end of the day, childcare is one of the worst paid sectors and getting the balance right is difficult. It is an area that has been neglected traditionally. In fairness to Fine Gael, it was the first party in government to put in place a dedicated Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Progress has been made in the area but I and many of my Fine Gael colleagues would agree that a lot more needs to be done. Obviously there is a balance to be struck between the rights of workers and those who need childcare services. I hope the Minister will be mindful of that when increasing childcare supports. Hopefully there will be some positive announcements in that Department in the budget.

Senator Feighan raised the issue of Brexit and Páirc na hÉireann. I agree with his comments on the latter. It does seem like a very worthwhile organisation that is deserving of support. It is very supportive of the Irish in the UK, in the same way as similar organisations are supportive of the Irish in the US, as outlined by Senator Lawless. Senator Davitt raised a couple of issues, including homelessness which I have already covered. On rural Ireland, it must be remembered that there is a Minister for Rural and Community Development which demonstrates the Government's commitment to rural Ireland. If we manage to curb the trend towards urbanisation, we will be the first country in the world to do so but that is not to say that we should not be trying to ensure that rural areas are well supported. The co-operative idea is a good one and if money is available in the budget for that, it should be supported.

Senator Boyhan referred to Multiple Sclerosis, MS, Ireland and I congratulate him on organising an event in the AV room today. I agree that €600,000 does not seem to be a lot to continue that service and I hope that the current level of funding will be maintained in the upcoming budget. Senator Mulherin raised the issue of pay equality for medical consultants, which is a huge issue. She referred to the fact that some locum doctors are being paid more than consultants who qualified after a certain date. It is a very hard pill to swallow for people who have so many choices internationally in terms of where they can work. It is no wonder that we are finding it difficult to retain consultants, especially those at a certain qualification level.

Senator Mac Lochlainn raised the issue of the three-school campus in Buncrana. He gave a very articulate explanation of how that situation has evolved. While I cannot comment on it, I will relay the Senator's concerns to the Minister when I meet him later at the Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting. I am sure the Senator's concern is shared by the Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy McHugh, who would also be keen to see the meeting referred to by the Senator taking place. I will certainly relay Senator MacLochlainn's desire for the meeting to take place as soon as possible to the Minister. It seems entirely reasonable that the Donegal Members of the Oireachtas would ask for such a meeting.

Senator Swanick asked about the status of his Lifesaving Equipment Bill, which sounds like very good legislation. I will find out when that Bill is due to come before the House and ask the Leader's office to respond to the Senator on that. It is a difficult crime to understand and is probably mostly perpetrated by vandals who do not know any better. Certainly, promoting a greater awareness of the harm caused by damage to lifesaving equipment would be a good idea, in tandem with legislation like that referred to by Senator Swanick.

Senator Mullen raised the issue of the forthcoming blasphemy referendum. It is important to say that if it was not being held with the presidential election, it would cost considerably more. While it may not be a day to day problem in most people's lives, many people feel that it would be preferable for it not to be in the Constitution. Elderly care is another issue which Senator Mullen raised in the context of the publication of a report on the matter. It is an important issue and one which we should debate in the House. Indeed, it is too serious an issue not to be discussed in more depth with the Minister in this House as soon as possible. All of us abhor the findings of the report, much of which was so difficult to read. Senator Mullen is right to raise it in this House and I will suggest to the Leader that we have a debate on it sooner rather than later.

Senator Conway raised the plain English initiative. Lawyers and many other professionals are guilty in this regard because they believe that if they express something in verbose language, they will sound like they know what they are talking about whereas there is a greater skill in being able to put across a complicated idea in simple language that people can understand. In that sense, the initiative is worth highlighting. Senator Conway also raised the issue of gazumping which I thought was illegal. If not, clearly it should be and I suggest that the Senator consider drafting legislation on the matter. Senator Ó Donnghaile referred to the Good Friday Agreement and the Brexit negotiations. We should have a debate on Brexit - possibly with a discussion on the Good Friday Agreement. It would be timely. It never seems as though we are going to be finished with or tired of discussing Brexit because it is just so important to us. A further debate on the issue in the next few weeks would be a good idea.

Senator Gallagher referred to the Defence Forces. The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces has described what is happening as a challenge, not a crisis. Nevertheless, there are significant problems. I think the Minister for Defence should come to the Seanad to discuss this issue. Senator McFadden tabled a Commencement matter in respect of this issue last week and I know that, along with Senator Craughwell, she raises it consistently. It is something we should discuss in the House in the near future. It is an issue that will not go away and that clearly needs to be dealt with.