Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Any frustration experienced by families and young people must be addressed as a matter of urgency. I suggest that Senator Conway-Walsh submit a Commencement matter on this issue. We have requested that the Minister for Health attend the House. I await his finding of a free spot in his diary.

As much as I would love to accept Senator Norris's amendment to the Order of Business, I will not do so. The Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, has made himself available today. I thank the House in advance of the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill being taken today at whatever time that may be. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, had a double entry in his diary, so I thank the House for providing for a debate of only two hours today, instead of the three hours that were scheduled. As I see no reason to change that, I will not accept the amendment to the Order of Business.

Senator O'Reilly made an interesting proposal regarding electric cars. The National Transport Authority will be before the Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport today. The Senator's suggestion on incentivising young people through a grant or allowance to purchase electric cars as their first vehicles is an interesting one and needs to be considered. There is great foresight in the proposal. I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House. We all must try to improve our attitudes to climate change. An example of that is Senator O'Reilly's proposal, and I commend him on his suggestion.

I would be happy to accept Senator Gallagher's amendment to the Order of Business.

I join Senator Feighan in commending and paying tribute to John Hume, who has left a significant legacy on our island and in the world in which we live. Thanks to the work and life of John Hume, our world is a better place today.

Senator Gavan raised the issue of PESCO. It is important to recognise that it does not affect our national sovereignty and has no pressing impact on our neutrality.