Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If it is to be changed, I accept the Senator's point that the legislation should be looked at again. He is correct that there is no value to society in having gaming machines or these dens of iniquity where people gather. He is also correct that it is the most vulnerable and those who can least afford it who end up going in to these places. I fully subscribe to the point made by Senators McDowell and Lawless that gambling is a scourge on many families from which no community is immune. I support Senator McDowell's view that it does not add anything to society to have places where gaming machines are operated.

In the context of any legislation, it is important that we do not remove power from local authorities. Continuing to strip them of power is not the way forward. We should be sensible in the way in which we invest in local government from the point of view of giving elected members powers and an opportunity to have real meaningful roles in areas such as this.

Senators McDowell, Black and Bacik raised the issue of the Israeli election and the annexation of Palestinian settlements. Senator McDowell will be glad to hear I agree with him. None of us in this House is anti-Semitic or anti-Israel. From the point of view of what is being proposed here, it is a free and democratic election. Like Senator McDowell, I do not take my lead on Israel or Palestine from President Trump but it is important that we have a sensible debate. In fairness, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade have taken a strong line on Israel and Palestine. I am not sure the Bill to which the Senator refers is a good one but it was passed in this House. It is important that the Israeli people have their vote today. It is equally important that the world community upholds human rights. Like the Senators, I believe in the rights of Israel but I also believe the Palestinian people have a fundamental right that we must all try to honour as well.

Senator Conway-Walsh raised the issue of trolleys in hospitals, which are a source of concern. We have seen HSE investment in initiatives to target waiting times in emergency departments. The Senator also referred to staff recruitment. It is important to recognise that the Government has in recent years provided capacity to recruit more doctors and nurses to work in the health system. Since 2015, the number of medical and dental staff has increased by 1,132 or 12%, the number of nurses has increased by 2,291 or 6.4% and the number of health and social care professionals has increased by 1,918 or 13%. The number of health service staff in management and administration increased by 2,340 or 14% in the same period. I agree with Senator Conway-Walsh that there is a need for more investment in front-line services and I share Senator Reilly's view that a greater emphasis on primary care is needed. The Government, as Senator Reilly noted, has agreed a new GP contract which will make general practice a much more attractive career and allow for treatment at the first point of care. I thank all those involved in the contractual discussions that have taken place.

HSE recruitment needs to be targeted at specific areas. This year, we have the highest health budget in the history of the State. I am sure some Senators watched the "Reeling in the Years" programme the other night in which an infamous Minister for Health, Deputy Micheál Martin, was shown presiding over the highest ever trolley watch figures. The health system was in a morass and the subject of ongoing commentary under the then Minister.Senators should watch that episode of "Reeling in the Years" shown last weekend. It is a bit like déjà vu.