Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am appealing to all sides to engage. This is an important matter. These workers have entitlements and grievances that should be heard. I appeal to all sides to re-engage at this 11th hour.

Senator Ó Ríordáin also raised the issue of school places. I do not have the answer to his question but the Senator has a reasonable request and concern. I do not have the answer as to why Senator Reilly's Bill has not been progressed. I would be happy to engage with both Senators again on the matter.

Senators Horkan, Leyden and Bacik raised the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill. I am happy to listen to and meet Senator Horkan, the Fianna Fáil acting Whip, about his concerns over the Bill proceeding tomorrow, and I would also be happy to meet Senators Bacik and Leyden. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, to be fair to her, did engage. It is a very sensitive, delicate Bill. Senator Bacik spoke about learning from the past. Whatever else one says about the Minister, she is very considerate, measured and caring and she has engaged on this Bill. We need to strike a balance between the rights of the birth mother who has requested privacy and allowed her baby to be adopted and the right of the adoptee to have information. I do not want in any way to pour scorn on any of the concerns raised by Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell, who has spoken to me about this, or the concerns of others. I would be happy to talk to them after the Order of Business regarding the scheduling of the Bill tomorrow. The last thing we want is to have the Bill made into a political football. Many of us, including as Chairmen of committees, have engaged on this Bill. Senator Reilly was a Minister responsible for children. There are constitutional issues associated with the Bill and advice has been given to the Minister but I hear the Senators' concerns and will not engage in an adversarial way. To be fair to Senator Horkan, he has before today raised the matter with me, as have Senators Marie-Louise O'Donnell, Ó Ríordáin and Bacik. I would be happy to hear their comments afterwards.

Senator Boyhan raised the Land Development Agency. It is up and running. It has a budget of €20 million. The Senator referred to the Bill. That is required to get €1.25 billion. The agency is hiring. There are eight sites being progressed, with seven more in the pipeline. Mr. John Moran was appointed interim chairman of the board. The Minister is making progress on the Bill. He has been engaged in a number of back-and-forth discussions with various parties. My information is that the Bill will be back with us in the coming weeks. It is not delaying the work of the agency.I appreciate Senator Boyhan's concerns regarding that matter.

I do not have an answer to Senator Murnane O'Connor's question regarding Cathy Reddy. I wish her well and congratulate her on her achievements. It is a matter the Senator could take up with the Arts Council which is the funding source for the arts.

Senators McFadden and Mullen raised the issue of vacant properties. I will invite the Minister to come to the House to discuss the issues raised by both Senators, especially that of Senator McFadden who has raised it here before. The repair and lease scheme is a good one but the uptake for it is not great. There is a serious need to employ a vacant housing officer across different local authorities. Such an officer could find out who owns the houses, what it would take to put them back in use and make them available. It could also deal with the issue of the planning authority.

Senator Mullen should know that the Local Government (Rates) Bill 2018 will be on Committee Stage next week. It will then be in the Dáil the week after and back in this House the following week.