Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----not by the Cathaoirleach but by the powers that be. It is a very sensitive matter. The community acted in a hugely humanitarian way in reaching out. It is important to appeal to the young mother, if she is a young mother, to come forward in order that we can give her the assistance she requires. Thankfully, we have moved away from being a very judgmental, draconian State to one that is embracing, inclusive and caring. I hope the mother will come forward.

Senator Boyhan referred to directly-elected mayors. It is important that those of us who support the proposition get behind it. I noted the Senator's concerns and I understand the frustration he expresses, but to come into the House and say in a defeatist manner that the proposition will be beaten does not help the case if we want to see its passage through the Houses. I accept the point the Senator makes, namely, that people need more information. However, I make the point - and I am sure my learned colleague, Senator McDowell, who led the charge in the campaign for retention of the Seanad, will understand and perhaps assist me in this - that people do not engage until perhaps the final three or four weeks of a referendum campaign. That is when they focus properly. In this instance, we have time between now and 24 May to inform people of the important need for a directly-elected mayor, particularly for the city of Cork. I heard the Leader of the Opposition, Deputy Micheál Martin, speak in the Dáil this afternoon on the matter. If he is so critical, let him come out and support and campaign for the proposition or otherwise state his position. He is either against or for the proposition. There is no point in coming into the Houses to be a hurler in the ditch. This is an important plebiscite; a significant transfer of power is involved in the newly created position of directly-elected mayor - to name just two, I refer to the power to propose a development plan and the power to propose a budget. It is a very important position. It is one which I wholeheartedly support and for which I will campaign. However, I appeal to Members of the Oireachtas who are in positions of responsibility: if they are in favour of the proposition, they should come out and campaign for it rather than coming into the Houses of the Oireachtas to state that there is not enough information or whatever. Let us campaign for it. I accept that the Government must be more proactive but I believe we have enough time to make this position a success and that the plebiscite can be carried. It is critically important, especially for the cities named because of the transformative powers it can provide, the level of accountability in can produce and the direction it can give to the cities in question. I hope the proposition will be carried.

Senator Hopkins referred to mental health and the Rosalie unit in Roscommon. I understand her frustration and I hope the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, will come back to her on the matter. Perhaps a Commencement matter might be a more appropriate and more expeditious way to get a response.

Senator Warfield referred to Viktor Orbán. My position is quite clear; I have made it known on the record of the House. My party's position has also been quite clear: we are Members of the European Parliament, and we have no truck in Fine Gael with people who do not support and uphold human rights, for example. Our record in this regard is quite clear. I ask Senator Warfield to cast his mind back to his own party's relationship-----