Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not sure that Senator Boyhan was that progressive in his previous incarnation. I am sure he is very happy sitting next to Senator McDowell, as he has done for many years. Well observed on the part of the Cathaoirleach. It is amazing what politics throws up. I welcome the new gentler, kinder Sinn Féin. The local and European elections must have given the party some lesson because its members have been very nice so far this morning. We welcome their newfound generosity of spirit and look forward to the hand of friendship being extended across the aisle and to seeing the party voting with the Government on legislation, other than the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill.

On a serious note and for the benefit of those Senators who were not here yesterday, I wish to again congratulate our colleague, Senator Grace O'Sullivan, on her election to the European Parliament. As the Cathaoirleach said, it was a man-of-the-match performance and we wholeheartedly congratulate her. She was a very strong participant in this House and a very positive colleague. I know that many of us will now look forward to postcards from Brussels, having received them from many parts of this country during the summer holidays. We wish Grace well. I join Senator Conway-Walsh in thanking all of our MEPs, those who were elected and those who stood but did not get elected. As we all know, it takes courage to stand for election, irrespective of one's political affiliation. We wish all of the defeated candidates well.We congratulate our outgoing MEPs who have retired, and wish our new MEPs every success in Brussels. Brussels is very important and the European Parliament is an important place to be with regard to future policy for our country.

Senator Ó Ríordáin raised the issue of the death of Philomena Lynott. On my behalf and on behalf of the Government, I offer our sympathies to her family. She was a very courageous woman. Any of us who read the biography she wrote, My Boy, could not but be impressed by her tenacity and integrity and the care she had for her son and for her city and country. We sympathise with her family. It is fitting that she was able to see the statue dedicated to Phil Lynott in our capital city. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

We also remember the young man who was killed tragically yesterday on O'Connell Street, Peter Donnelly. We offer our sympathies to his family. Any life cut short by violence is something for which we must condemn the perpetrators. We must also find out the reasons for the attacks. I will come back to Senator Horkan with regard to knife crime.

I thank the 15 Members of the House for their contributions to the Order of Business. The Scally report is one we should all read because, as Senator Horkan quite rightly said, we need to bring certainty to the families and the women and we must also have confidence in the system. As Senator Colm Burke said, there are issues we must address. I am happy for the Minister to come to the House to discuss the supplementary report issued by Dr Scally. It beggars belief that the number of laboratories used increased without the approval of CervicalCheck. We must have an inbuilt system where there is confidence in the quality and assurance given to the women and their families. All of us recognise that the Minister, Deputy Harris, is committed to ensuring we get answers. This is why he and the Minister for Justice and Equality commissioned Mr. Justice Meenan to work on tort reform and on the issue spoken about this morning, which is that it is important we get answers.

Senators Horkan and Boyhan raised the issue of people living in hotels and family hubs. I have every intention of bringing the Minister with responsibility for housing to the House. It was our intention to bring him here next week but we must deal with legislation that needs to be passed. He will come to the House as soon as possible. There is a robust system of inspection but every effort must be made to ensure family hubs are a temporary and not a permanent solution. This is why the Government, through Rebuilding Ireland, is committed to increasing the number of houses. The point made by both Senators is important and I am happy for the Minister to come to the House in the coming weeks.

Senator Lawless raised the important matter of the leaving certificate and junior certificate exams and the leaving certificate applied exams. I join him in wishing continuing success to all the students who have gone through one week of exams. The Senator also raised the issue of apprenticeships. He is right that third level education is not for everybody. This is why the Government has a robust and active apprenticeship scheme and why last week, the Ministers of State, Deputies Mitchell O'Connor and Halligan, and the Minister, Deputy McHugh, announced €7.5 million to be awarded to ten third level institutions for the provision of new apprenticeships. It is important that we have a strong programme of apprenticeships and that we support and advertise it as a matter of urgency. The Government's 2016 to 2020 apprenticeship programme has set a target of 31,000. Last year there were 15,373 apprenticeships on the books. It is important that we urge people to consider apprenticeships. I concur with the Senator in that regard. The Minister of State, Deputy Halligan, came to the House recently to discuss the matter but I will have him back to the House in due course.

Senator Horkan raised the issue of knife crime. The point he made is valid. The Government is working on a national strategy on assault and particularly knife crime. The draft strategy is due to be published in July. In 2018, 1,136 knives were confiscated by gardaí through stop and search. This was a 60% increase from 2016. There is need for a national conversation on why people use knives, where knife usage is going and how we ensure it does not increase. I will be happy for the Minister to come to the House to discuss the matter.

I am happy to accept Senator Kelleher's amendment to the Order of Business regarding her proposal that Senator Dolan brings forward a Bill next week.

Yesterday, we had a discussion on Spinraza and all of us in the House were very happy with the announcement made. Many Members of the House, including Senator Conway-Walsh, campaigned vigorously for it and it is a good news story all round.

Senator Ó Ríordáin raised the issue of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016, as did other Senators. I cannot accept the amendment he proposed to the Order of Business. It is a bit unfair to suggest the Minister, Deputy Zappone, has not engaged. I will go ahead with my proposal.

I join Senator Kieran O'Donnell in congratulating, as we did yesterday, the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, on the changes to the fair deal scheme. He will come to the House in the coming weeks.

Senator Leyden was on an RTÉ promotional tour and we congratulate George Lee on his appointment to a different brief. We also congratulate Fran McNulty on his appointment as agricultural and environmental correspondent. Senators Leyden and McDowell raised the role of RTÉ. The TV licence is an important part of raising revenue for RTÉ. Last year, the Oireachtas committee published a report that recommended changing to a broadcasting charge from what we have at present. I believe An Post receives €1.46 million from the licence fee. I would be happy to have a debate. The former Minister, Pat Rabbitte, attempted to change it. Given the report published today by Reuters on how people access news it is something we should look at. Today, more and more people do use media such as television or radio to access news or information. They use hand-held devices or iPads. We will have this debate in due course. The future of broadcasting and print journalism is something on which we need a debate and I would be happy to have one.

Senator Colm Burke commented on CervicalCheck and women under the age of 25. I do not have the answer to the question he raised. Perhaps it would be best served by a Commencement matter. He raised a very important issue. Senator Warfield also raised the issue of the media landscape as part of the discussion.

Senator Mulherin raised the issue of the SEAI grants and the need for clarity on funding. I would be happy for the Minister to come to the House but perhaps it is a matter that could be discussed by way of a Commencement matter.

I apologise to Senator Conway-Walsh as the issue of Belmullet District Hospital was raised in the House yesterday by Senator Swanick and I gave a reply on the issue of redeployment of staff. I do not have the exact answer to the question but it is important, as I said yesterday, that the issue is clarified. I am confident that it will be.