Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On my own behalf and on behalf of the House, I pay tribute to our former colleague and friend, John Browne, former Member of the Dáil and the Seanad, who passed away last week. John was a sincere, genuine and committed Oireachtas Member who gave Trojan service to the people of County Carlow and in the Houses. On my own behalf and on behalf of Fine Gael, I express our sympathies to his family. His son, Fergal, is a former Senator and I will pay tribute to him in due course. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

I thank the 13 Senators who contributed to the Order of Business. Senators Ardagh, Colm Burke and Conway-Walsh raised the issue of vulture funds and the appearance by officials from the Department of Finance at today's meeting of the finance committee. I note that Senator Conway-Walsh did not refer to the contributions of Mario Draghi or Professor Lane in respect of the Sinn Féin Bill, which would incur a cost for mortgage holders due to higher mortgage costs and the higher mortgage interest that would accrue. I am sure we all would agree with the sentiments expressed about vulture funds, the need to keep people in their homes, and the number of people who are able to remain in and buy property. As Senator Colm Burke noted, we need to reduce the volume of borrowing. Deposits in banks are currently greater than borrowings, and it is important that we consider long-term leasing, such as for terms of 20 years, which is common in other countries, as Senator Colm Burke has previously outlined. I would be happy if that debate was taken in the House.

The words of Professor Lane in respect of the Bill before the committee that Senator Conway-Walsh mentioned are important. The Bill would serve little purpose and undermine the banking system, for all its faults.It has become a major source of worry for all of us. We must listen to what Mr. Draghi said about the costs and selling on performing loans, but I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House for a debate on the matter.

Senators Ardagh, Devine, Reilly and Conway-Walsh raised the important matter of World Autism Day which is part of our national autism week. It is disappointing that the Bill proposed by Senator Reilly has not come back to the House. It is about having a national strategy and ensuring we join the dots to have a whole-of-Government, interdepartmental approach to autism that places children and adults with autism front and centre. The Bill proposed by Senator Reilly is reasonable and far-reaching and it seeks to place an onus on Government to engage on a cross-departmental basis and revert. Equally, the Sinn Féin Party has a Dáil motion tonight on which we all agree. To be fair, Senator Reilly has been the forerunner, first as Minister and now in the House. It is unacceptable that there has been an inordinate delay in the current Minister coming back with a response. I would be happy to have him come to the House to discuss the matter with us. During this autism awareness week, it is important to understand that we have not completed the jigsaw regarding the provision of services and supports for people with autism and their families. That includes respite and other services. I am as disappointed and as critical as other Members on some of the lack of action by Government. I commend the D12 campaign for its proactivity in the matter.

Senator Craughwell raised a number of issues in his earnest and interesting contribution. There is no rush by any local authority to increase property tax rates in tandem with Government.