Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----it needs to be discussed and children need to be educated on how to navigate these dangers. It is not my place to pontificate on the issues because I do not have the answers, but I believe education is key. I am happy to accept the proposed amendment to the Order of Business, to take No. 14 before No. 1.

Senator Bacik raised the issue of overseas aid policy and the report, A Better World, as did Senator Mullen. She emphasised the gender equality and climate justice aspects of that report. I have not read the report as yet, but I am encouraged by the comments Senator Bacik made about it. I suggest that we have a debate in this House on the issue. Senator Bacik also raised the issue of Scouting Ireland and the fact that parents are sending children to the scouts at their own risk. I imagine that many people in Scouting Ireland feel very unhappy about media commentary in recent days because, like every other organisation, there are many good people involved. The Government is concerned with safety. The safety of children is an absolute priority, and there is no flexibility on that. Mandatory reporting is the law and parents should be assured that the people involved have had the requisite training. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, is considering any other actions that may be required beyond the Tusla recommendations, but it must be reiterated that child safety is of paramount importance at all times.

Senator Bacik, among others, also mentioned the powers of the Committee on Public Accounts in light of the recent judgment. I agree with many of the comments that were made, in particular those about grandstanding and the aggressive nature of some of the committees. It appears sometimes that it has become more about grabbing headlines than the work at hand, which is regrettable and does not reflect well on these Houses. As the Cathaoirleach said, it does not reflect well on the Committee of Public Accounts that there are no Senators on it. Many of us have been active members of committees, and it is something of an insult that Senators are not on the Committee of Public Accounts. There is no logical reason for it, and I agree with the Cathaoirleach.

Senator Byrne mentioned the anti-bullying awareness helpline. It is very important to highlight it. People of all ages experience bullying. It is obviously worse when one is a child as it can have a much worse psychological effect when it occurs at a young age. However, it is a very difficult thing to cope with at any age. It is good that the helpline is being highlighted. It should be highlighted more often. I have already referred to the issue of the Momo video game in Limerick, which is very frightening.

Senator Daly mentioned the tillage sector. I am not an expert in that area, but the Senator has raised a very serious issue. He raised a very interesting point about barley and the distance it travels. We should be capable of producing the crop here for people who need it to produce other products. This is very topical, in the context of climate change, and would be a very interesting debate to have with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the near future. The last time I took the Order of Business it was clear that the Minister might be before us to debate with us in the near future.

Senator Ó Céidigh mentioned peacekeeping and his recent visit to New York. The Cathaoirleach has replied on that matter already, which is one for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. The Tánaiste can come to the House without us having to get the permission of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, but I am more than happy to support the Senator's request.

Senator Feighan mentioned St. David's Day and increased cultural ties with Wales, which are to be welcomed.

Senator Gavan raised the childcare sector. The issue of how little childcare workers are paid is a huge issue. The last point the Senator made was probably the most interesting and pertinent. The high turnover of childcare staff has a negative impact on children. There has been much positive work done in the area of childcare since the first Minister with responsibility for children was appointed by the previous Government. It is regrettable, however, that the incentives and schemes being put in place are not impacting positively on the sector. We are trying to strike a balance between ensuring parents who need childcare for their children can afford it and ensuring that people working in childcare have a level of income to sustain a lifestyle. It is a difficult issue, and one we should have a debate on in this House. We should not focus solely on those issues, but rather have a wide-ranging debate on the entire issue of childcare. We need to discuss this from the point of view of the care given and also the wages earned by those who work hard and are very qualified for the work in the area.

Senators Ó Ríordáin and Conway-Walsh raised the issue of Spinraza. They have raised the matter consistently in the House. I have been working on this issue and feel very passionately that people should be provided with that drug. A young child from the area I am from is very negatively effected by this. By my estimation, having followed this issue in an attempt to understand how it all works, it is clear that the system is flawed. Drug companies can manipulate the situation by forcing vulnerable families to come up here and beg for their lives. There are only 70 people affected by this. It is my understanding that the drug is under review in the UK as well and there may be a commercial aspect to this. That is completely unacceptable and is small comfort to any family with a child who needs the drug. Those people do not want to hear about the financial realities; they just want the drug to be given to their child. I am keeping a very close eye on what is happening in this area but I am comforted by the fact that, in other cases where this flawed system has been used, this has been a regrettable blip on the road to the eventual provision of the drug. I cannot foresee circumstances in which this drug will not be provided eventually. The drug company, as much as the HSE, will have to play ball on this issue. I do not have an answer today, but Senators should know that I am as concerned as they are that the drug is provided to families. The numbers are not large enough to justify not providing it.There is a fine line to be walked. We cannot allow the system to be manipulated so drug companies can maximise their profit to the nth degree. I feel passionately about this and the salient point and the wider issue is that we need to reflect upon how we decide about these drugs. The system is arranged in such a way that trying to find out what is going on is like the last secret of Fatima. Families hear rumours and it is simply not good enough. We need to look at how we handle these drugs for rare diseases, how they are provided to families and the process that people have to go through. It is an insult and something we should look at. I will speak to Senator Ó Ríordáin if I get any news about it. I have been speaking to the Department on a weekly basis about that to try to make it happen.

Senator Gallagher raised the wonderful work done by the Irish Cancer Society. The main point from his contribution is that people need to realise that lifestyle can affect their health. It is something I have consistently worked on in the public health area. Legislation such as the Public Health (Alcohol) Act goes a long way. We need a public health Bill on obesity as well. Such legislation can go a long way in trying to educate the population - and it is hard to use the word "educate" without sounding condescending - as to how best to look after themselves so that they do not require care and do not get cancer. Cancer affects many families and Irish people are generous when it comes to voluntary contributions. It is good to have the opportunity to highlight the Daffodil Day initiative that is so successful every year.

Senator Craughwell raised 155 outstanding medals for members of the Defence Forces. There was a debate on defence last night and the matter could be raised as a Commencement debate. I do not have specific detail on that but I can follow up on it.

Senator Paddy Burke raised the issue relating to the Committee of Public Accounts and I have already made comments on that. Privilege is a privilege and should not be abused and nor should individuals who come into these Houses to help us get to the bottom of issues be put through the grandstanding and aggression I have witnessed in the past.

I have already addressed the issues raised by Senator Conway-Walsh regarding Biogen and Spinraza.

Senator Mullen raised the issue of local radio and we all concur with his view. I would be happy for there to be a debate on independent broadcasters. It is difficult to be an independent broadcaster but they provide an important service to their local communities.

Senator Warfield raised the issue of people refusing offers of local authority housing and the new policy that has been spoken about. There is a fine line when it comes to providing housing. There are probably rare or certain cases when people expect the ideal house to come up for them. I have sympathy for a teacher and a garda who cannot afford to live in Dublin and choose to live in Kildare or Wicklow, commute long distances and see little of their family. They have to live a long distance from where they would like to live. We have to provide decent social housing for people but there is a fine line. People who are working hard every day and travelling long distances to be able to live their lives are helping to provide for people who sometimes refuse houses in circumstances where they should not refuse them. That is a very wide debate that we could have.