Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 15 Members for their contributions. I commend Senator O'Reilly for the line of the morning, that we all thrive on affirmation. I join Senators Ardagh, Conway-Walsh, Reilly, Feighan, Warfield, Kieran O'Donnell, Craughwell, O'Reilly, Wilson and Conway in their condemnation of the remarks made by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, notwithstanding her apology this morning. As Senator Wilson said, all killing is wrong. This morning, in accepting her apology for her insensitive and inappropriate remarks, I believe she should reflect on her position. As Senator Reilly said, it is about building trust and about what former President McAleese said about building bridges with all communities. The comments in this House this morning have been in the main about reconciliation, building bridges and extending the hand of friendship, particularly in a post-Brexit era where, on this island, we need for all our traditions and beliefs to work together to ensure our island works together, north, south, east and west, green, white and orange. The visit by Senators O'Reilly, Marshall and Craughwell on Tuesday was an important one. Senators Marshall and O'Reilly spoke of inviting the women they met. However, as Senator Conway-Walsh said, it is also about listening to different voices in order that we can plan and not go back to the past but go to the future with confidence and hope. It is about belief. If we had stayed in the past, we would not be where we are today. We would not have the Good Friday Agreement, or the solidarity we have with the majority of people in the North who voted to remain. It is about ensuring there is justice and accountability on all sides of the violence in the North.

On Senator Feighan's contribution, all of us have an interest in, and a contribution to make on, the North.It is, as Senator Joe O'Reilly said, by engagement and human interaction that we can learn and build. I was struck by his contribution in terms of the CLÁR and the sports capital grant and equally by the fact that is about engagement, by the visits of last Tuesday and by the people Senator Conway-Walsh spoke about and by having them in Leinster House, the people's house. We are the representatives of the people. It is about listening to and engagement with people that we can do that. I would be very happy to have that debate on the North and to have the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, come to the House after the St. Patrick's Day break. I thank Members for their positive contributions this morning.

The most important point from this morning's debate on the Order of Business is that we are open to working with and to engaging in dialogue to represent the people and to build a better Ireland. That is an Ireland where we are all equal and in which we can all aspire to be who we want to be.

Senator Ardagh raised an issue which Senator Devine raised the other morning, namely, Tusla. As I said then, and I will repeat it, the report was baffling and I will invite the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, to the House after St. Patrick's Day.

Gangland crime is a major source of worry to all Members and all communities. Senator Ardagh failed to recognise that this Government and the previous one reopened Templemore, the Garda training college and €1.8 billion has been given to An Garda Síochána to combat gangland crime and to look at ways to deter the criminal and the thug from continuing on this murderous spree.

Senator Ó Céidigh made a good contribution on small and medium enterprises and I would be very happy to have a debate following on from the report of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee. Competitiveness is important as are the points made by Senator Ó Céidigh in the context of Brexit. He must have listened to the Taoiseach's speech about tax, recognising entrepreneurship and enabling people to get up early and go to work. I am glad Senator Ó Céidigh is listening to the Taoiseach.