Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, is available to come to the House in June to have a debate on pensions. I do not have the information raised by the Senator about some parts of the 2012 changes and the review of those. I sent a message and we will have that debate in June.

Senator Humphreys has been articulating, championing and advocating for people who are in a very distressed state, and it is very worrying, to be fair, about their property, its structural deficiencies, and other issues. Unfortunately, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy is not available today. In the period between Senator Humphreys's contribution and now, I attempted to have the Minister available, but he is available to come to the House for a full debate on the matter on Thursday, 30 May. Rather than dividing the House today, I appeal to Senator Humphreys, who ultimately wants to get a resolution, to agree that the best opportunity to do so would be to hold a debate on that date.

I referred to Senator Colm Burke's contribution on housing. Senators Marshall and Feighan also raised the issue of farming and the announcement by the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Commissioner Hogan of a €50 million fund for the beef sector, which is welcome. Senator Marshall stated that we should not take what the naysayers and the critics say but instead engage, listen and work together to deal with the compendium of challenges that face us.

Senator Gavan raised the issue of Palestine, and again there must an election coming. As I have said in this House previously, I am a very strong supporter of the Palestinian people. I have not been a supporter of a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest. I have made that clear to Senator Warfield and his colleagues in this House and on other platforms. I do not believe in a boycott of sporting, cultural or music events. I do not think a boycott of the Eurovision will serve any purpose and it ill behoves people to use a platform to come in and cudgel people who have a different viewpoint. Senator Richmond spoke about the EU and Australia trade deal, which it is important to acknowledge.

I joint with Senator Norris in commending all who maintain the grounds here, indeed all who work with the OPW and do a great job in our parks and public places; it is important at this time of the year when tourists visit not just Leinster House but venues across the country. The way places such as Charles Fort in Cork and the Rock of Cashel, where I stopped off the other day, are maintained is a tribute to the OPW. If President Trump does visit, would it not be an opportunity to showcase the beauty of the west coast of Clare and other areas to the people of north America and the world? Míle buíochas to those who work in and maintain public properties and spaces.