Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Hackett's maiden speech as a Member of this House is one she can look back on with pride. She is serving not just the people of Offaly but the people of Ireland. She has come on a huge journey as the first Green Party councillor elected in Offaly last year and I certainly hope she will not displace our Deputy, Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, in Offaly in the general election.

The vast majority of the House paid tribute to the late Gay Byrne, who tragically passed away yesterday. Many eloquent words have been spoken by many Members, in particular Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell, on the prowess which Gay Byrne had as a broadcaster. This morning, Sean O'Rourke summed it up pretty well when he said we were all part of a national wake remembering, commemorating and celebrating the life of a broadcaster who, despite the comments of some, shone a light into dark corners, opened up a window for many in our country and gave a voice to those who were voiceless. The letters written to radio stations from people across the country give a powerful reminder of Gay Byrne. I remind the House that the late John Charles McQuaid had the temerity to write to RTÉ to say he was in charge of what RTÉ could broadcast in the context of Gay Byrne. How we have travelled as a country. Gay Byrne was part of that journey, along with others. He was an enlightened man and one who gave people a voice but he was also a broadcaster. We use the phrase "ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann" far too easily but it is true.He was the first. He was iconic. As Senator Mullen said, there were some who agreed with him and some who did not agree with him. That is the democracy and the Republic in which we live. We pay tribute to him and thank him for his service to the Irish people. We thank his wife and his two daughters for allowing us to live our lives with him. We hope that in their time of mourning and sorrow they will remember the good Gay Byrne brought to the lives of so many people but also that they will be comforted by the prayers and the thoughts of the people of Ireland. Ar dheis lámh Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

I welcome Senator Ardagh back to the House and wish her well in her pregnancy and remaining time with us. I sincerely wish her every success. She referred to the issue of housing. It is a vexing issue. As she knows well, in the city of Dublin, in the first six months of this year, presentations of families who are homeless have fallen by 9.5%. One in two of the families presenting to homeless services were prevented from having to enter emergency accommodation and the number of families entering emergency accommodation has fallen by 5%. Some 786 families have exited emergency accommodation to a home. That is a 48% increase on the 530 exits recorded from the same period in 2018. Of course, we do not hear some of those facts. We accept there is an issue with housing and supply. The Government is committed under Rebuilding Ireland 2040 to pursue that in terms of tackling the issue of homelessness.

Senator Norris raised the issue of privatisation. Yet again, the issue of seagulls has dominated the Order of Business in the House. The issue of waste collection is one that has been well debated and documented across every local authority in the country. It is not my intention to revisit it.

Senator Higgins made reference to the issue of the debate on the report on adoption transparency I would be happy to facilitate that debate. The Ceann Comhairle has ruled on the matter regarding the money message. I will not delve into that here today.

Senators Hopkins, Leyden and Gallagher raised the issue of Cuisle. Unlike Senator Leyden, I am aware Senator Hopkins has been in contact, had her phone answered, has had meetings and has been in here raising the matter-----