Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Davitt referred to Clonkill, which we congratulate on its Westmeath hurling final victory. The Senator referred also to Paul Quinn who was appointed in a personal capacity and who has also resigned in a personal capacity. While he is the State's chief procurement officer, I assure the House that the national children's hospital is continuing. There is good progress in many aspects of the work and we are up nearly to roof level. I would be very happy to have the Minister come to the House for a debate on the matter. Senator Davitt referred also to the matter of the sewerage centre for Mullingar. The Senator could raise that as a Commencement matter. I do not have the information to hand but he makes pertinent points.

Senators Boyhan and Mullen raised the issue of the beef market. I congratulate the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, and Bord Bia on the opening of new markets in Asia. China is an important market. As Senator Boyhan said, it is important to have high-quality, traceable beef and that we have fair pricing for Irish farmers. I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House to discuss the matter. He was here a couple of weeks ago to discuss beef and we will have him again.

Senator Conway-Walsh referred to voting behaviour in the Lower House. The Acting Chairman made a comment on the matter also but I will not stray into it. The Ceann Comhairle has launched an investigation and we await the completion and publication of his report. I share Senator Conway-Walsh's view that it is a serious matter. As parliamentarians, we are all privileged to be here and one of the most important parts of our job is to be present to vote in a locked Chamber. Something on which we should all reflect is the decorum appropriate to that voting block. I may be guilty of being slightly cavalier during voting but in terms of being here, it is a matter we should take very seriously. All of us who have the privilege to be here cast our votes properly in this House and we are not tainted by what has happened. I hope I am not proven wrong in that but I do not think I will be. In the three and a half years of the current Seanad, all Members have taken their job very seriously. I would be happy to have a debate on the matter at a later time.

Senator Conway-Walsh also raised the important issue regarding 70,000 semi-State pensioners. They feel aggrieved and there is an issue which needs to be addressed. I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House to discuss the matter.

Senators Norris and McDowell referred to a missive from AIB. I have sympathy for Senator Norris with regard to the matter he raises and what is being asked of him. I am not sure if it is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, but the Senator might raise it there to see how his ideas can be progressed around the imposition he identifies rather than to have it debated in the House. The Senator also referred to pay increases. Public sector pay is an important matter and the issue the Senator raises is one many of us are alarmed about. That is particularly so regarding the pay and conditions of local authority members but also around the pay and conditions of top civil servants in light of that. Senator Norris knows well that Senator McFadden has been a champion of the pay and conditions of members of the Defence Forces. Public sector pay is a matter on which we can have a debate to include Members of the Oireachtas, local authority members and people at different levels of the Civil Service and public service generally.

Senator Higgins proposed an amendment to the Order of Business which I will not accept. The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Bruton, is coming to the House on 5 November and Senator Higgins has the opportunity to have a one-on-one discussion with him during a Commencement matter. The issue has been raised in the House before and the Government has made its position clear. The matter can be discussed on 5 November on the occasion of the debate.Senator McFadden raised two valid points on housing, namely, the repair and lease scheme and the vacant homes officers. I am happy for the Minister to come to the House to discuss the issue of housing.

Senator Paul Daly always makes clear and cogent arguments about farming and agriculture. As half a layman in agriculture, it is about ensuring we can farm. We are accustomed to rainfall in our climate. I share the Senator’s view that it is not a case of one size fits all and farming cannot just be done by the calendar. That is a personal observation. I am happy to have a discussion with the Minister on derogations and extensions.

Senators McDowell and Paddy Burke raised the issue of the scrutiny of EU legislation. I am happy to support any role this House can play in the ongoing and deepening scrutiny of EU legislation. Senator Burke’s point that the House could do more in this regard was particularly relevant. I do not share Senator McDowell’s view that we are heading towards Armageddon. However, I am happy for the Minister to come to the House to debate this issue. It is important we take the scrutiny of EU legislation seriously. I subscribe to the view that we need to do more in this House on this matter. I am happy to work with all Members to ensure this happens.

Senator O’Reilly welcomed the deployment of new Garda recruits, as well as the armed support unit, to Cavan. I commend John McCartin on his appearance on "Claire Byrne Live", his comments and his courage in his particular situation. I hope people will take notice of what he said.

In the case of Cavan, the Border area needs further Garda strengthening. I hope Cork city receives new gardaí in the new allocation to be announced in the coming months. It is important the second city receives its fair share of new recruits.

Senators Warfield, Bacik, Kelleher and Mullen referred to the changes in the situation in the North of our country around the decriminalisation of abortion services and the introduction of marriage equality. The points made on all sides are important and I hope we will take notice of what is said. I am not going to wade into the debate, other than to say that, in the case of the decision in question, it has shown there is a lacuna and a need for an assembly. It highlights the importance of the assembly. I hope it will be up and running soon.

Senator Kelleher raised a report she launched last week related to the issue of housing and homelessness. Regarding the young boy who was pictured on social media last week eating on the street, it is important that those who know his identity or whereabouts will engage with the authorities to ensure his well-being is catered for. I engage with homeless services every week. Last Friday night, I participated in the Focus Ireland sleep-out on Spike Island. It is important to recognise a significant amount of work is being done around homelessness and performance.