Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 11 Members of the House who contributed to the Order of Business. I reiterate on my behalf and that of the Members a great welcome back to the House for the Cathaoirleach. His very genuine words are certainly ones we are glad he could utter in this Chamber. He was missed, not just because of his impartiality in the Chamber but because of his huge presence. I join with him in thanking all of the people involved in bringing him back to us today. Eileen deserves our utmost praise. It was great to see her here last night to be able to enjoy the turning on of the Christmas lights and to celebrate. It is important that we recognise the important work done by our first responders and those in emergency departments and the importance of being able to live life. We wish the Cathaoirleach many more years of being here and being with us.

Senators Gavan, Ruane, McDowell, Bacik, Devine, Higgins, Warfield and Wilson made reference to the issue concerning secretarial assistants in the Seanad. It is important to recognise the important work they do every day and the professionalism they bring to their job on our behalf. All of us agree on a number of things. One of them is that the starting point of pay is far too low. Second, there is a need for either the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform or the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission to look at the role and work of secretarial assistants of Members of Seanad Éireann in particular because many of these people now bring a skill set, experience and educational qualification to bear in our offices that must be looked at in terms of just and fair pay. The role of the Seanad secretarial assistant has changed since it was first introduced in respect of the issue of social media. Senator Higgins referred to issues on amendments to Bills and being able to write Bills and amendments. The role has also changed in terms of communication, research and writing press releases, legislation and in many cases, engagement with members of the public and other bodies. The pay scale is one that has grown beyond what it was. This then needs to be addressed and I, and all of my colleagues in this side of the House, will support any endeavour that will ensure there is change and movement regarding the pay scale. Perhaps the Cathaoirleach could guide us in terms of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges of Seanad Éireann being able to look at that as way of beginning the process from our position. It is one on which we will all find unanimity.

Senators McDowell, Leyden, Bacik and Wilson spoke about China and the issue addressed by Senator McDowell around Red China. I might have missed somebody else. It is important to recognise that the West embraced China on the pretext that there would be democracy and a greater adherence to human rights and that it would lead to a better democracy. Many of us recognise that this has not happened to the degree that we would like. This has manifested itself in the problems in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. This leads on to the importance of China to this country and to the West. I know President Trump and the House of Representatives in the US have made a number of issues around that in recent times. There is a need for an honest debate on our relationship with Taiwan. If we look back at what has happened since the 1980s in terms of democracy in Taiwan and the movement to a more open and democratic society, we can see that it is a flourishing and positive state. I personally would support the call to have a representative office in Taipei. The EU has an office there. I understand that it is a matter that needs to be addressed by Government. We have a "One China" policy and I am not going to rehash the debate we had last week.