Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 19 Members of the House for their contribution on the Order of Business. On my behalf and on that of the House, I offer our sympathies to our colleague and friend, Senator Dolan, on the sad passing of his brother Jim during the course of the summer recess. Ar dheis láimh Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

On a happier note, I congratulate Paul Conway on his new appointment in Brussels. I wish him well and thank him for his tenure as Superintendent of the Houses. I wish the acting Superintendent, John Flaherty, every success and longevity in the post. I hope he is successful. As Captain of the Guard, he has been a wonderful friend to all of us here.

That brings me very nicely to the restoration project and to join the Cathaoirleach and all Members of the House, in the words of commendation to all involved in the project that has now happily reached a culmination in the 270 year old home being restored.Táimid ar ais le chéile sa Seomra iontach seo. Tá sár-obair déanta ag gach duine a bhí páirteach sa project. Cé a cheapfadh trí bliana ó shin, ar an gcéad lá den Seanad seo, go mbeimid fós ag labhairt anseo?Three years have elapsed since we became Members of this Seanad. Who would have thought we would still be here?

I will not rise to the by-election commentary from my colleagues and friends across the Chamber but Senator Clifford-Lee should remember the important point that we have 37 days left until the end of October. This Government, led by An Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, has been very much to the fore in ensuring the green jersey is worn across the world, not just in Europe. That is evidenced by the solidarity we have received so far, which culminated this morning in the meetings which were held in New York. We also had the unanimous decision of the UK Supreme Court today.

Senators Clifford-Lee, Conway-Walsh, Norris, Coghlan, O'Sullivan, Humphreys, Devine, Feighan and Horkan referred to Brexit, the UK Supreme Court judgment and Northern Ireland. I want to make it clear, in case people have forgotten, that there have been no mixed messages from this Government. There has been a consistent, clear line from this Government. The Taoiseach has been emphatic, as have other members of the Government, regarding the binding assurances required that there will not be a hard border. While the decision by the Supreme Court in the UK, which is a different jurisdiction, is a matter for the UK Parliament, all of us should celebrate the primacy of parliament being upheld in the UK today. As Members of Parliament, Members of this House and the Lower House should be conscious of what they say and how they say it. Part of our job is to hold the Executive to account but we must also hold public bodies to account and pass legislation in a manner befitting a parliament. Our language and behaviour are important.

I welcome all Senators back and wish all of them a very successful term. Whether we finish in November or May 2020 or whether we go on until 2021 is work for another day. We are back and it is our job to work collectively to ensure that the public good is served in this House. I assure Senators of my co-operation at all times in that regard.

Senator Clifford-Lee raised the issue of climate change. To be fair, on one level a green tax should be examined. The budget is coming up in two weeks' time and the Seanad will discuss it in due course.

I will not rise to the Senator's petty political comments regarding the leader of Fianna Fáil, whose record as a Minister in various Governments from 2000 to 2011, including as Minister for Health and Children, is well documented. We can scrutinise that record at a later date if the Senator wishes.

Senators McDowell, Norris and Kieran O'Donnell raised the important issue of Lyric FM and its role. In its considerations, RTÉ must recognise that Lyric FM is a niche radio station which should be maintained. I am surprised that the President has not commented on this already given that he was the Minister who sponsored the relevant legislation.