Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Creed, have travelled around Europe, speaking to our European counterparts. If one looks at what the French and the Poles have been saying before the deal and what the Minister, Deputy Creed has been saying, one will see that we have been articulating a view long before that.

There is a need now to have a debate, as Senator Humphreys said, in the round on what is being proposed. There are significant issues in it for workers and opportunities for farmers and dairy sector but I share the concerns about the beef sector in particular. As Senator Humphreys articulated, climate change will not happen by the click of a hand, but will need buy-in from everybody, and that means people will adopt a different approach. For the first time, if this deal is approved, there will be a lock-in of countries that will be trading with us on the issue of climate change through the Paris Agreement, which means they will have to live up to their climate change obligations. Senator Boyhan requested a debate.I am endeavouring to facilitate a debate as a matter of urgency. My difficulty, as Leader, is there is a debate in the Dáil. The Minister is available between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. tomorrow, the time at which we are to have statements on defence. The proposals of the Public Service Pay Commission are being brought to the Cabinet tonight. We must be fair to Members such as Senator McFadden who had requested that we have statements on defence before the Mercosur agreement was announced last weekend. I will liaise with Members, including Senators Wilson, Humphreys and Boyhan, as well as those in the Sinn Féin group, to see what we can do. It is not the case that I do not want to have statements on the issue; rather, it is a question of availability. I will come back to the House on the matter in due course.

Senator Ardagh also raised the issue of water quality. The issue at the Ringsend treatment plant is a source of great concern and was raised in the House last week. Some 40% of the country's wastewater is treat at the plant. We should recognise and comment on the fact that Irish Water is investing significant sums in upgrading the plant. It is spending a sum to the tune of €400 million. It is clear that the plant needs to be overhauled and upgraded. We will have the Minister come to the House to discuss the issue. Again, the Senator can table a Commencement matter, if she so wishes.

The issue of gynecological appointments is a source of great concern. The Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, has been in contact with the HSE about the matter. I will endeavour to have him come to the House in due course to discuss it.

Senator Boyhan referred to Rebuilding Ireland. To be fair, it is not the case that we are avoiding the matter, but there is a series of legislation that must be prioritised. As Members knows, when we come towards the end of term-----