Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senators Lawless, Conway-Walsh, Ó Donnghaile and McDowell made reference to presidential voting rights and the referendum. I salute Senator Lawless, in particular, for the work he has been doing. He was in Washington D.C. last week pursuing a different matter. He has been working diligently behind the scenes to ensure we get bipartisan support for our undocumented in the United States. I congratulate him on his work. The decision to postpone the referendum was a good one. As will be appreciated, the setting of the new date for the referendum is beyond my pay grade. I do think that it should be held, however. My only concern, lest videos be put up again, is that we may have too narrow a window to accomplish that. I am afraid the referendum might get lost in the commentary on the general election. I am also not sure there is enough time between now and March, or whenever the election happens. The St. Patrick's Day visits around the world are also a factor to consider. I will support the Senator on that issue, however. The timing is a matter for the Government but it is important that we get this right and I salute the Senator.

Senator Ó Ríordáin proposed an amendment to the Order of Business. I am not against it, but I am not going to accept it today. Given the importance of the matter which he discussed yesterday and today, and on which Senator Ardagh also spoke yesterday, I propose that rather than divide the House today we have statements on crime next Thursday instead. I would be happy to give considerable time for that debate.

Senator Leyden also made a proposal on the Order of Business. To be fair to him, as well as to Senators Hopkins, Mullen and other Members of the House who referred to the issue of Cuisle, that is really a matter for the Irish Wheelchair Association, IWA.Given the sensitivity and importance of the matter raised by Senator Hopkins in the last couple of weeks, in light of the proposal made by Senator Leyden this morning and bearing in mind my reluctance to divide the House on such a sensitive matter, I am proposing in a spirit of co-operation that we should take statements on Cuisle for an hour, to be followed by a 90-minute debate on the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017. I ask Senator Ó Ríordáin to agree that we will take statements on crime next week. Rather than dividing the House, I suggest that my proposal be agreed. In fairness to the Minister for Justice and Equality and his officials, the important matter of crime should not be foisted on the Minister today. I will be happy to provide for such a debate next week. I have spoken to people who are affected by the important and sensitive matter that Senator Leyden has raised, which is having significant repercussions for families and service users.