Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Ardagh referred to the sports facilities grants given in recent days and spoke about the lack of green spaces in the area she represents. I cannot comment on individual grant applications or approvals, but the Senator might raise the issue with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport by way of a Commencement matter. I agree that the situation in regard to management company sinking funds represents a lacuna in the law. Depending on how well an apartment block is managed, there may or not be a sinking fund, the importance of which we all appreciate. What the Senator suggests would represent good law.

I was not in the House yesterday for the Order of Business when the exchange to which Senator Mullen referred took place. The Senator and I have had our differences in the past. Despite the large amount of difficult stuff that was thrown in my direction on a daily basis some time ago, I personally managed to remain civil and cordial. To be fair, for the most part, the Senator did the same. I can only speak for myself in that regard. It is important that we keep the personal out of it and confine ourselves to the issues at hand. I very much regret when commentators or fellow politicians get personal about any person involved in politics. We are here to do a job and should be professional in how we conduct our business. At the end of the day, it is not really personal, even though it often feels that way. Everybody must respect the differing views of others. I regret that the Senator felt as he did yesterday.