Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 17 Members who contributed to the Order of Business.

The Cathaoirleach's intervention in the context of defending Senator Craughwell, who is not here, was timely. I know that matters are a bit different this morning but I ask Members to reflect. First, I ask them to watch the contribution made by the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, MP, earlier. I know I can be political but I reiterate that our language is important. Increasingly, people are tuning in to watch Oireachtas television to hear what we say and how we say things. I appeal to Members, as we start the new term, to be conscious of where we are, of who we represent and of the people watching.

Senator Horkan referred to the ESRI report. This is a very important report. I heard Dr. Kieran McQuinn speaking on "Morning Ireland" earlier. The uncertainty relating to Brexit is just that - uncertainty. Every day we think that we have a roadmap to somewhere but a different blockage is then put in place. The shenanigans and language used in the House of Commons and the level of change is unprecedented. The Minister for Finance has stated that, thus far, he has no plans to have a supplementary budget. As Senators will know, he has been planning for two versions of the budget and has come up with a no-deal budget that will be introduced in two weeks' time. It is important to remember that we do not want another recession. Members have come in here with shopping lists as long the county hall in Cork. We must be conscious that we have €700 million to spend and that there are vulnerable small and medium-sized businesses which rely on the UK and which we must protect and support.

The Senator made an interesting point about the rainy day fund and inquired as to what constitutes an extraordinary situation. To be fair to him and the measured contribution he made, this is an important issue. I would be happy to have a debate on the rainy day fund. Next Tuesday, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade will be here to discuss a number of matters, including Brexit. The debate will be an opportunity for Senators to discuss the fund.

I join with Senators Horkan, Devine, Noone and Bacik in welcoming the decision by the Attorney General to initiate a new inquiry into the Stardust tragedy. All of us of a certain age remember that Saturday morning in 1981 when we work up to the tragedy of 48 young people having died the night before. The Attorney General has made it clear that there are new circumstances in terms of justice and obtaining answers as to why he had granted a new inquiry. I commend him on his decision. All along, the families of the Stardust victims have had one constant message and one request. None of us in this Chamber can even attempt to understand the anguish and pain that they continue to suffer and that is why it is important that we have an inquiry. I commend the families on their perseverance. As Senator Devine stated, this is about standing in solidarity with the people today.

Senator Boyhan referred to the importance of diversification in agriculture, particularly the area of horticulture. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine will be here next Thursday but we will endeavour to have him come here for a further debate in due course.

I commend Senator Boyhan on his contribution in respect of the men affected by what happened in Tuam. There is an obligation to ensure that the support of the State is embraced and wrapped around those people. I would be happy to have the relevant Minister come to the House. The Senator should table a Commencement matter on the subject. I would be happy to talk to him about the issue further in due course.

Senator Devine raised the issue of children with autism and their access to education. The Minister for Education and Skills, in light of the use of reduced timetables in schools, issued a statement that schools be required to work with and notify Tusla, the educational welfare service, whereby there is a reduced timetable being put in place. Also, schools will be required to set out the rationale for the use of a reduced timetable and have a plan for the child's full reintegration into full-time day school. The key phrase is "full reintegration into full-time day school". The basic tenet of what we are trying to achieve is as follows. All pupils who enrol in a school should remain there for the whole day. I have been involved with special needs education and I was a schoolteacher. I am of the view that school is the place for children irrespective of their abilities. They should be in an educational setting for the whole day unless they are exempt for particular and specific reasons. I am happy to arrange for the Minister to come to the House. I have a very simple viewpoint, namely, a reduced timetable should not be used by a school as a behavioural management technique or as a de factotool of suspension or expulsion in the case of children with special needs. I say that as somebody who has been involved with special education through my family. I have been in schools where I got a clout from a young man or young girl because he or she lashed out due to a behavioural issue. We owe a debt of gratitude to the teachers and those who work in special needs schools for their commitment and dedication every day. That is why it is important to ensure that there are more places and more special needs assistants. I accept that more work needs to be done and I would be happy to arrange for the Minister to come to the House to discuss the matter.

Senators Ruane mentioned Greta Thunberg, as did Senator Craughwell and others. I must inform Senator Ruane that I honestly did not take the same inference from Senator Craughwell's contribution. I thought, as the Cathaoirleach stated, that he spoke from the point of view of care and concern but I might have taken him up wrong. I might have to defend him but I did not think that is from where he was coming.

Senator Bacik raised the issue of domestic abuse and I know she made a fine contribution at an event this morning. As she stated, we have done a job of legislative work. We have allowed for the reporting of old cases, we have become more aware as a society and the Garda has brought forward different elements of support. We have a way to go regarding the recommendations and the level of ongoing need. I would be happy to have a debate on the matter. The Senator is right that there is a fundamental need to have joined-up thinking in respect of the criminal and family courts. I fully concur with her on that.

Senators Bacik and Warfield mentioned the issue of hate crime. Incidents like the one that occurred last Saturday night in Dublin when a young man was attacked have no place in our society. We have moved a long way forward as a society. The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has work on hate crime and I would be happy to have the Minister for Justice and Equality come to the House. There was a review on hate crime legislation but I am not sure whether it is finished. I am happy to invite the Minister to come here to discuss the matter as well.

Senator Dolan raised the issue of the abolition of the training allowance. My information is that the payment does not affect existing persons who are attending and that it is for a four-year period.