Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 20 Members of the House for their contributions. On a point of information for Senator McDowell, it is two hours after the debate commences. I join Members of the House in congratulating the Irish rugby team on its magnificent victory last Saturday night. I am glad they are following Munster's lead in winning on Irish soil. I also join with the House in congratulating Vicky Phelan on her well-deserved accolade over the weekend.

Senator Ardagh raised five matters at the beginning of the Order of Business. I remind her that the Government is committed to tackling the issue of crime. In particular, I highlight the provision of €95 million in overtime to An Garda Síochána, 800 new gardaí along with the appointment of additional civilian staff, and the reopening of Templemore. The number of gardaí operating will be 14,000, the highest in a decade, along with a budget of €1.76 billion, an increase of €100 million in budget 2018. There is also the €10 million for new cars and €7 million for a Garda building programme, not to mention the reform of An Garda Síochána. To those on the opposite side who talk about An Garda Síochána, let us put the facts out there in terms of the numbers, investment, personnel, capital investment, new equipment and Garda cars. The Senator is right that visibility is important and that is why the Garda is embarking upon a new model of community policing which is being unfurled in the next couple of weeks.

Senators Ardagh, McDowell and Colm Burke raised the issue of housing. We will have the Minister come to the House in the coming weeks to have another debate on housing. I concur with Senator McDowell completely on the issue he raises in respect of bedsits, but also on the right of inspection. The Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, is publishing legislation in the new year which will enhance the powers of the Private Residential Tenancies Board in terms of inspection along with an increase in the resources allocated for the tenancies board. On the issue of sanction being given to take on bogus landlords, I agree there is a need for more vigilance. Some of the conditions are appalling and unacceptable and we should condemn them unreservedly.One of Senator Ardagh's colleagues raised the issue of An Bord Pleanála last week. There has been a significant number of applications to An Bord Pleanála, and they are up by 19%. The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, is committed to putting in more resources and we all want decisions to be made in a more timely way as it is more beneficial for local authorities, for landowners and for homeowners. I would be very happy for the Minister to come to the House for a discussion on the matter the Senator raised. If we were to follow the policies of Fianna Fáil in government we would now be looking at ghost estates, which this Government and that which preceded it have got rid of.

Senator Conway-Walsh referred to planning. I would be happy for the Minister to come to the House. I join Senator Higgins in congratulating all serving and former Members for their participation in Votáil 100, which is a credit to all involved. In particular, I pay tribute to our female colleagues, Senators McFadden, Bacik, Ardagh and Higgins, for the way this House has commemorated the event in such a proactive way. I thank them most sincerely.

Senator Higgins made some important comments on the national road safety day. We remember, pay tribute to and thank the Garda Síochána first responders for their work on our roads. I also pay tribute to those who have died tragically on the roads. It is important to highlight the fact that our roads are not battlegrounds but are a shared space.

Today is World Children's Day, as Senator Higgins also mentioned. The State has a duty of care to all our children and that is why the Proclamation states that we cherish all our children equally. This and the last Government have brought forward 30 pieces of legislation to change the lives of young people for the better. Senator Mullen forgot to mention the children's rights referendum and what was an important change to the Constitution. I would be happy to have a debate on children in due course.

Senator Nash asked about the review of the flat-rate tax relief, which is being carried out by Revenue. There was a piecemeal approach to the issue and, outside flat-rate expenses, all employees retain the right to claim expenses they incur which are not reimbursed by their employers. We will have a debate when the review comes back. Senator Ned O'Sullivan raised the issue of health and safety in hotels - specifically in the context of baths and showers - which is very important point. I would be happy for the Minister to come to the House to discuss health and safety. The point the Senator made in respect of new-builds is also important.

I would be happy for the Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy John Halligan, to come to the House to discuss apprenticeships, as requested by Senator Boyhan.

Senator Butler raised the issue of health and respite care. He also referred to accident services in his own constituency but he may be better putting in a Commencement matter on that subject.

Senator Devine referred to the Stardust families, for whom all of us have great sympathy. We remember very vividly the day when so many young people were tragically killed. The Government commissioned a report by Mr. Justice McCartan, which, I know, does not provide the outcome for which the families were looking. The Taoiseach made it clear in the Dáil today that there will be no moving away from that. However, I would be happy to talk with the Senator again on the matter. Tabling a Commencement matter may be the way forward. All of us have sympathy for, and empathy with, the families in this case. The Government accepted the McCartan report. Mr. Justice McCartan's name was one of those put forward by the families in the context of leading the inquiry.

Senator Norris referred to the editorial in The Irish Timeson the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017. What the editorial did not mention, but perhaps should have, was the histrionic behaviour of some, the filibustering by a few, the hyperbole of a couple, the repetition by many-----