Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We need a mix, which is what we are trying to achieve.

Senator Mullen raised the issue of the air ambulance service and its importance, acknowledging the work done by Senator Feighan. Notwithstanding the fact that we now have an excellent service being provided in Cork by Irish Community Rapid Response, the points Senator Mullen makes should be aired in a further debate. Perhaps a Commencement matter might be more appropriate and might provide the Senator with a more expeditious reply. He raises an important matter.

Senator Lawlor raised the issue of the High Court, the settlements and the breakdown of the awards in terms of their costs. It is a matter on which the Minister should come before the House, and I would be happy to facilitate that.

Senator Gallagher raised the issue of disabled parking spaces. This is a matter in all cases for the local authorities to police and monitor with the Garda. It is disconcerting to hear and read of an increase in the number of people parking illegally in disabled parking spaces. It is an issue on which we need to educate people further.

Senator Mulherin raised the issue of the wind farm in north Mayo. She raises a very serious question as to how one supports communities in areas where there are wind farms, notwithstanding their benefit and our need for diversity in energy supply. I would be happy for the Minister to come before the House to discuss the matter.

Senator Murnane O'Connor raised the issue of domestic violence. I am sure she welcomes the fact that this Government successfully brought the domestic violence legislation to the House. I commend the former Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, the Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, and the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, for their work in this regard. I spoke about the matter she raised on the Order of Business yesterday. It is important we support people, whether in cases of domestic abuse or child abuse, and that we allow them to come forward to make their allegations or claims and then be supported in having their cases and their voices heard. It takes huge courage, as we all know, for a woman, man or child to come forward at whatever age, at whatever time in their life, to put forward their story.As I said yesterday, sometimes we are all boggled as to how courts arrive at a particular decision. I did not read Noreen Blackwell's remarks but she is a person I have great admiration for, and I know she was interviewed on "Today with Sean O'Rourke" yesterday morning. Sentencing is a matter for the Judiciary, but an explanation must be given as to the way members of the Judiciary arrive at some of the sentences they hand down because it incites people to all sorts of thoughts, some of which are wrong. I agree with Senator Murnane O'Connor that we must support victims of domestic abuse and child abuse. I am happy to accept Senator Paul Daly's amendment to the Order of Business.