Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Warfield raised the important issue of conversion therapy. We all commend him on his Bill, and we commend the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, on working with him and with all of us to ensure that conversion therapy is outlawed in our country. It has no place, it is of no value and, as the Senator said, it leads to difficult health outcomes.

Senator Gallagher mentioned the Valuation Office and the issue of revaluation. He will find commonality with me on this. The office must explain its work. It has been going on since 2001. I checked before I came into the Chamber and found that by last year fewer than two thirds of local authorities had completed their rates evaluation process. The Senator is right. There is an obligation on local authorities and on Valuation Office to work with small and medium enterprises, shopkeepers and retailers to ensure that added pressure is not put on them. I would be happy for the Minister to come to the House to discuss the matter.

Senator Mullen raised the sensitive and important issue of suicide. He mentioned the efforts being made in Galway and many other parts of the country to work with people and ensure that there is someone to meet or to talk to at key points. In the city of Cork, where I live, street pastors go out to talk and engage at very unusual times of the night, visiting places where people gather and where some have been known to end their lives. It is a very valuable service. I would be happy for the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, to come to the House to discuss this matter. It is something on which the National Office for Suicide Prevention has been working. The HSE has been very proactive in the matter at both local and national level, but it is something we can never take for granted. We must pursue and advance this issue.

Finally, Senator O'Donnell raised the issue of climate action. We will have a debate on this when the committee report is published. I will also have the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment come to the House to discuss reform of the EPA.

I would be very happy to take Senator Higgins' amendment to the Order of Business.