Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join with the Members of the House in acquiescing to the call for a minute's silence tomorrow for the commemorative event and to highlight and honour the people who died on 10 October 1918 just before 9 a.m. onboard RMS Leinsteras it began its final voyage from Carlisle Pier in Dún Laoghaire to Holyhead in Wales. I would be happy to do that tomorrow and thank the Members for that proposal.

Senator Kelleher raised the issue of dementia. I agree with her and commend her on her work. The Minister in his budget speech, and in the annexe to the budget, makes reference to services in terms of increasing the need for homecare packages and community supports. I agree with Senator Kelleher that the model of delivery, in terms of dementia, is one that we must change to ensure that there is, as the Minister said in his budget speech, an integrated model of care with more stepdown and community responses to people who require same. I would be happy to support that.

I am happy to facilitate Senator Ó Ríordáin's request for a debate regarding church and state and the circular that the Minister for Education and Skills issued on 19 February, according to the Senator. I am not familiar with the circular but I am happy to have that debate.

I join with Senator Byrne in complimenting the Minister for Finance on the education budget for the apprenticeship scheme. The issue is important and the Senator has repeatedly raised the matter here.

I am glad that the film corporation tax credit has been extended. I know both Senator Byrne and I have spoken about the measure before. We have seen the benefit of it and I commend her for that. Senator Colm Burke also raised the issue of the budget.

Senator Feighan raised the issue of the civil rights march. I join with Senator Feighan in commending the bravery of the men and women on that awful in the Guildhall in Derry in 1968. As he rightly said, there are people who should be praised, in particular Ivan Cooper and John Hume, for their work and bravery over time. The figure in the opinion poll is quite alarming.It is important that we uphold the Good Friday Agreement and stand firm in our resolve to ensure that peace remains central to all parts of our island and that we never go back to the dark days of the late 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. I commend Senator Feighan, in particular, on his great work in this area. I do not mean this to be patronising in any way. He has been a beacon of hope and inspiration to many of us in terms of how he goes about his business, building bridges in the North of our country and the UK. That came across clearly to me last week when I was in Bishkek as part of the OSCE meeting when some of the British parliamentarians were very loud in their praise of Senator Feighan for the work that he has done. He is an example to all of us on how to build bridges and learn.

On the UFC, and the Conor McGregor fight at the weekend, we can all learn lessons regarding the promotion of sport. Sport is meant to be competitive but it is not meant to be violent. It is not meant to send the wrong message and we are meant to have heroes. Last week, I was on a flight from Istanbul to Bishkek and when two gentlemen next to me heard I was from Ireland, they said "Ah, Conor McGregor". They were effusive in their admiration for him. Notwithstanding the remarks of Senator Feighan, Conor McGregor has a loyal following. The sport may be hard to understand at times but I hope the sporting body in question can come back with answers.

Finally, I commend the budget to the House and assure Senator Humphreys in particular that we will have a very healthy debate on climate change.