Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would be happy to support that and to have a debate on the matter with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. What goes in tandem with that is the importance of human rights issues and the camps. I read during the weekend that the Chinese authorities were describing these camps as vocational training camps. That is the preposterous position they take. I am happy to support a debate on the matter.

Senators Horkan, Higgins and Bacik asked for a debate on cycling, which I would happy to facilitate. Senator Horkan also made reference to corporation tax. I will endeavour to have the Minister for Finance come to the House to discuss the matter. I know it has gone but I welcome the class from St. Pius X boys national school in Terenure and I wish Noah well in Carnegie Hall. It is a huge honour to be able to say that one played in Carnegie Hall. Those of us from a certain generation remember the Clancy Brothers and other great Irish acts playing there. To have a young Irish student playing there is a wonderful honour and we wish him every success.

I congratulate Senators Ruane, Warfield and Feighan on the game tonight. It is important that sport is a unifier and that we can advocate through sport, particularly with regard to the issue of mental health, and I commend the Senators on participating in the event and wish them well. It is important that we continue to highlight the issue of mental health. It is through events like tonight's game that we can shine a visible light on the matter.

Senator Bacik also raised the issue of hate speech. I would be happy to have that debate in due course. Senators Feighan and Higgins raised the vote in the House of Representatives last week, which was a wonderful decision to endorse the Good Friday Agreement and as Senator Feighan said, to ensure it is protected in light of Brexit because it is a very important document and it is important that we continue to protect it. I congratulate all involved in the matter.

To be fair to Senator Devine, she has raised the issue of the sarcoma consultant specialist in St. Vincent's hospital on a number of occasions in the House. I have met with patient representatives regarding the matter. It is wholly unacceptable that there is a delay in the appointment of a consultant because, as the Senator rightly said, this is a very specialised cancer that requires a specialist consultant and I support her in this regard. I am advised that the recruitment process is under way and that as of 8 November, St. Vincent's University Hospital has short-listed candidates for interview. As the Senator is aware, it is a voluntary hospital with its own board and recruitment policy and has full discretion around the appointment of a consultant.Rather than divide the House on the matter, I ask the Senator to allow me to try to have the Minister come to the House next week. The Senator may then call a vote if I am unsuccessful or the Minister is unavailable. He is not available this afternoon. It is an important matter and I ask the Senator to work with me, as Senators Humphreys, Leyden and Hopkins did yesterday, and allow me the space to ensure the Minister comes to the House.

I believed I have addressed all of Senator Higgins's comments.