Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join Members of the House who raised the tragic events in County Tyrone in remembering the lives of Morgan Barnard, Lauren Bullock and Connor Currie. I pay tribute to them and sympathise with their families on the awful tragedy of the loss of their lives over St. Patrick's weekend. I also join Members in condemning utterly the attack in Christchurch in which 50 innocent people were killed in mosques. It is important that we all stand in solidarity with the people of New Zealand and their Prime Minister who has shown real leadership in the issue of gun control and in her condemnation of the attack. On my behalf and on behalf of the House, I pay tribute to the people of New Zealand and thank them for standing so strong in their response to this awful tragedy. I remember and stand with the families of the three young people who were killed in County Tyrone. Ar dheis láimh Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Senator Ardagh referred to deaths on our roads. One such death is too many. It is important that we continue to have enforcement, education and engineering, the three major prongs of road safety. I hope we will see a continuing reduction in the number of road deaths. Senators McDowell and Ardagh raised the issue of the metro and the announcement of the decision on the MetroLink. Members of the House, including Senator Mark Daly, will be glad to hear that the Minister, Deputy Ross, will be in the House next Thursday week to deal with transport matters. Members will have an opportunity to have a debate, an interaction and an engagement with the Minister on transport-related matters. On the issue of metro, it will be an opportunity for Members to make their speeches and bring in their brochures and leaflets. I welcome Senator McDowell's point that it is about living in a city and, if making improvements, one has to expect certain modifications to roads and areas adjacent to them. We will have an opportunity on that day to have a debate with the Minister. On Senator Mark Daly's proposal on transport, I hope that response will satisfy him. I do not control Commencement matters but to be fair to the Minister, Deputy Ross, he is one of the Ministers who comes to the House on a regular basis to take his Commencement matters. He will, however, be here next Thursday week.

Senator Conway-Walsh raised the issue of the conference on climate change in Trinity College and thanked all those involved. Sometimes I have to smile at the members of the Sinn Fein Party. They do a really good course in populism for which they must receive weekly training. They try to be all things to all people. They are for the environment but they do not tell us what they would do. As Senator Warfield knows, carbon tax is not a form of raising money; it is about trying to change behaviour. As the Taoiseach said in the Dáil today, it is about investment in public transport and renewable energy. Carbon tax is also about changing our behaviour.

As Senator Bacik said, the Joint Committee on Climate Action, which is not a Government committee but an all-party Oireachtas committee, will inform the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Bruton, as to the next step we will take as a country. We have an obligation and a duty to meet our requirements. It is not about being populist. It is about ensuring that we meet the expectations and demands on us. Are we really saying Government can provide everything to people? Who then pays? I would like the Sinn Fein Party to answer that question as to who pays for all the grants in respect of carbon pricing. How is this funded? How is behaviour changed? I will be happy to have a debate on climate change when the all-party report is published. I look forward to that debate where we can have suggestions and solutions from all sides of the House.

Senator Kelleher raised the issue of the dignity and respect survey. It is a matter for people to complete it. I am not sure whether we can have a debate on a completed survey but I will be happy to talk to the Senator about that.

Brexit and the impact it will have was raised by Senators Ardagh and Bacik and indirectly by Senator Feighan and Senator Mark Daly commented on Senator Feighan's contribution. Brexit will have a profound impact on us and Government has put in place plans to support agriculture and business. I will be happy to have the Minister, Deputy Coveney, come to the House. We had a debate on the omnibus legislation prior to the break but I would be happy to have the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, to come to the House again on this matter.

Senators McFadden and O'Mahony raised the issue of the Defence Forces. I concur with them on the need for the Public Service Pay Commission report to be published. There is a huge need to address the issue of pay in the Defence Forces, notwithstanding the commitments made by the Government in relation to FEMPI and the restoration of pay. There is an obligation on Government to ensure the men and women of our Defence Forces are paid properly. As Senator McFadden, who has championed this issue here on a number of occasions, said, it is about the pride we have in the men and women of the Defence Forces and in the role they play in UN peacekeeping duties and the way in which they carry themselves around the world.There is, however, an obligation on Government to look after them in terms of pay. I look forward to having the Minister of State return to the House to discuss the matter. He has been here on a number of occasions, but I would be happy to have him come back.

Senator Clifford-Lee raised the issue of baby Belle. This is a very tragic case that has left a huge impression on people, not least the people of Balbriggan. I am not sure why the Commencement matter was ruled out of order - that is a matter for the Cathaoirleach - but again-----