Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 14 Members of the House for their contributions to the Order of Business. On the issue raised by Senator Clifford-Lee, it ill behoves her and others to come into this House and play politics with the disability sector. Fianna Fáil was the party that cut funding to the disability sector during its tenure in government. I am familiar with the story of the COPE Foundation as my father was a former chief executive and I have family members working there. It is an organisation that is part and parcel of Cork and it is an institution in the area. There are issues in the disability sector that need to be addressed. I refer, in particular, to the issue of respite care in the context of section 38 and section 39 organisations. It is a topic which the Minister should come into the House to discuss. Notwithstanding the points made, the budget of the COPE Foundation has increased in recent years. It is a voluntary organisation and is doing great work in Cork. We should listen to and note the remarks made this morning by Mr. Sean Abbott, the chief executive the COPE Foundation.

It is important that the Government takes notice of what is being said. It is also important that there should be a recognition that the main aim is to provide services and supports for people who have a disability to allow them live independent lives in their communities. Support should be provided to these organisations, not just in Cork but across the country. Senator Clifford-Lee did not acknowledge in her remarks that the budget for disability services next year will be in excess of €1 billion. That is notwithstanding the fact that as a part of the national service plan, more than 200 voluntary organisations are in receipt of funding. There is a real need now for the HSE, in co-ordination with section 38 and section 39 organisations, to put in place a stringent service level agreement, SLA, taking cognisance of the need for more respite care etc. I am very happy for the Minister to come to the House regarding this matter. I accept Senator Clifford-Lee's proposed amendment to the Order of Business to the effect that No. 12 on the Order Paper, Harmful Plastics (Prohibition) Bill 2019 - First Stage, be taken before No. 1.

Senator McDowell raised the issue of Syria, the Turkish intervention and the Kurds. We had a debate on this issue as part of the Order of Business debate yesterday, but I would be very happy for the Minister to come to the House to discuss the matter. All of us must be deeply concerned with what is happening. The Senator is right to expose the hypocrisy of the American Administration, which abandoned people one minute and then in the next minute imposed sanctions on their supposed friend. The resultant vacuum has been filled by Mr. Putin and the real winner is Mr. Assad. Meanwhile, ISIS will re-establish itself. The whole policy is a complete shambles, causing the displacement and killing of many people. I welcome Senator McDowell's comments. It is important to note that different views to President Trump have emerged within the Republican Party in the US Congress concerning this matter.I am happy to have the Tánaiste come to the House. We should all stand firm in our resolve and support of the sentiments expressed this morning by Senator McDowell regarding the matter.

Senator McFadden raised the issue of technological university status. The Technological Universities Act 2018 was enacted, which is very welcome. I commend Senator McFadden for once again raising the joint application of Athlone and Limerick institutes of technology for university status. The Senator has been a strong supporter of that application not only today but on other occasions. It is important that we progress the measures provided for in the Technological Universities Act 2018. I hope we will see a similar application for university status from Cork and Tralee institutes of technology.

Senator Craughwell raised the important matter of identity theft on social media and the lack of access to accountability within some of the social media outlets, which we may, perhaps, have been a little frivolous about earlier. This is an area in which we must have accountability, in particular for those people who Senator Craughwell rightfully pointed out do not have the recourse he has or the ability to communicate or engage. I am happy to provide for a debate on the issue. Later on today the Traveller Culture and History in Education Bill 2018 will be taken during Private Members' time. The Senator might take the opportunity of that debate to raise the issue with the Minister.

Senator Lombard raised the vexing issue of An Post's policy in regard to the replacement of postmasters and the need to keep post offices open. This is a matter for An Post but the points made by Senator Lombard regarding Belgooly are important.

Senator Wilson also referenced Syria, Facebook and the infrastructural deficit in terms of transport. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, has become the bogeyman for some in this House in terms of transport. Budget 2020 provides for increased funding and new commitments in regard to road projects, bus services, trams, BusConnects, the Cork metropolitan strategy-----