Neale Richmond (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Everyone has a responsibility to pay all the taxation he or she is liable for and I would encourage people to do so. Tax evasion in any form should always be condemned.

Regarding Senator Coffey's concerns about primary healthcare, particularly in respect of the Four Mile Water healthcare centre, I will bring to the Minister of Health's attention that we need a debate on the issue of primary care.

Senator Boyhan made reference to the debate last night on Dún Laoghaire harbour to which I contributed. I share many of his concerns. I met some of the Fine Gael group of councillors in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown following their special meeting last night that ran concurrent with our own debate. I agree with the Senator that many questions remain. There is need for statements on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and I will raise it with the Minister to see if that can be facilitated.

Senators Byrne and Devine raised the important issue of the flu vaccination and the need for all people to get that, particularly those who are at risk, are young or old, those working in the HSE it was the best investment I ever made or for the Department of Education and Skills. The Houses of the Oireachtas will organise a day-long for all Members and staff of the Oireachtas to get the flu jab. I took advantage of it last year. It was the best investment I made for the princely sum of €17. I did not get the flu all winter. It does not matter if one is scared of needles; it is worth doing.

Senator Byrne also raised the important issue of the creation of 600 jobs by Edwards Lifesciences. It is not only a good news story for Limerick or the mid-west; it is a good news story for the entire country. It demonstrates the importance of Ireland as a world player in the pharmaceutical sector. Many new jobs are being created outside the Dublin region in the mid-west, Galway, Cork and in between.

Senator Conway-Walsh raised the hidden cost of autism, respite care and residential care. The delays in residential care have reduced to matter of weeks. This is impressive, given where we were. I agree with the Senator about the need to have a debate on this.

Senators Norris and Joe O'Reilly also mentioned the state of British politics in respect of Brexit. I will not comment on the state of domestic British politics because I have got to go on BBC again at 10.40 p.m and I will save it for that. All Members are welcome to stay up. On the question of Mr. Jeremy Corbyn M.P. and a second referendum, we have no role in the internal affairs of the United Kingdom. However, Brexit is an absolute disaster for everyone, particularly Ireland. It is our responsibility to make sure that we can limit the damage of Brexit and I look forward to the ongoing debates.

Senator Joe O'Reilly raised the issue of Brexit preparedness in the agrifood sector. The Government has made a €25 million investment. The Senator will be delighted to hear that the Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union will have a meeting on 10 October with the relevant officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This will be open to all Senators. The meeting will solely focus on Brexit preparedness, particularly in the plethora of areas in the agrifood sector the Senator mentioned and the importance of homegrown industries, such as Lakeland Dairies in his home town of Bailieborough.

Senator Devine also mentioned the zero capacity for landfill report that was released this morning. I will request that the Minister come in to take a debate. That is a welcome and timely request and I thank the Senator for raising it. Much has been done in reducing our reliance on waste. The Government has been proactive on it but every individual can do more. Simply getting a KeepCup or a plastic straw is not enough. Much has been done. I commend my colleague, Senator Noone, for her work to highlight this. I also commend Senator Devine's work in that regard. It is important and timely that we have a debate on this as soon as possible.

Finally, Senator Lawlor raised issues in the report on Irish Aid. We had statements on that in recent months, but that was prior to the Senator's election. As someone who worked in the overseas development aid sector for two and a half years, as Senator Lawlor did in the lights of Vanuatu, I will request that the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Cannon, to come to the House for statements on that and the importance of rural regeneration not only to towns such as Naas, but others such as Bailieborough, Ahascragh or Kilternan. It is vitally important for all of us. It is timely that we have a debate. I look forward to welcoming the Minister for Rural and Community Affairs to the constituency of Dublin Rathdown where he is launching a new community centre in Kiltiernan on the Church of Ireland parish site and funded by this and the LEADER programme.