Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The other issue Senator Humphreys raised related to fire safety defects and general safety issues in apartments and houses must be taken very seriously. Self-certification and a lack of regulation are matters worthy of debate in this House. I am happy to invite the relevant Minister to come to the House for such a discussion. I have spoken to officials in his office about the matters and hope to be able to schedule a debate on them in due course.

Senators Gavan and Ó Céidigh referred to the ongoing conflict in Palestine and Israel. As Senator Ó Céidigh rightly said, we all condemn violence whatever form it takes. To be fair to the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, he has been proactive in dealing with the issue. I will be happy to have him come to the House to discuss it in due course.

Senator McFadden asked about the status of the Informal Adoptions (Regularisation) Bill 2019, but I do not have an answer for her now. I will be happy to liaise with her on the matter and invite the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, to come to the House to discuss it.

Senator Paul Daly referred to the beef sector and Brexit. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, was in the House recently to discuss the beef sector and agriculture matters more generally, but I will invite him back for a further discussion. As the Senator knows, we have been engaging with the Minister who has been engaging with the Commissioner in Brussels, Mr. Phil Hogan. I do not think Brussels can announce a package of supports for Ireland before Brexit actually happens. That said, the issue is important. The Senator is correct in saying Brexit will hit the farming sector hard. The Minister has been very active in dealing with the matter. I will be happy to invite him back to the House in due course.

Senator Mullen referred to the Yazidi people, some of whom met Pope Francis recently. The Yazidis which are a religious minority are experiencing brutal treatment. I share the Senator's concerns, particularly about the treatment of women and children. We can, through the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Cannon, play a role in dealing wtih the matter, particularly if we succeed in our objective of securing a seat on the UN Security Council. I will be happy to invite the Minister or the Minister of State to come to the House to discuss the matter.