Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank those who raised issues on the Order of Business. I wish to join others who expressed sympathy on the death of Cormac Ó Braonáin. At 19 he was young, active, vibrant and full of promise and his death is a real tragedy for his family, particularly at this time of the year. Our thoughts are primarily with his family but his death is also a huge loss to the Labour Party. I extend the condolences of everyone in Seanad Éireann to Cormac's family and to the Labour Party.

Senator Mark Daly raised the issue of insurance, as did several other Senators. The report to which he referred made stark reading but certain measures have been put in place and a lot of work has been done in this area. Senator Kieran O'Donnell took a forensic look at this issue and as he said, insurance company profits are completely over the top. While there are issues around legal costs and awards, insurers' profits really are something else and something must be done about that. I have dealt with insurance companies a lot in the legal world and I know that they are completely and utterly profit driven so in that context, we must introduce measures that will reduce insurance costs overall. The fact that we have now passed the Judicial Council Bill is a help and I note Senator Lawlor's comments in that regard. I know that it met at the beginning of December. I chaired a committee in this House a few years ago which met in private session initially to get its ducks in a row but once the first proper meeting happens, the time does then run. I would imagine that will happen from the beginning of January but I will relay the Senator's question to the Minister because it is an appropriate one.

Senator Mark Daly also raised the 99th anniversary of the royal assent. It is obvious that he would raise this issue in the House now and a debate on same would be timely, once Brexit has been sorted. I do not want to sound like Boris but timing is important.Senator Conway-Walsh spoke about a framework within which to have the discussion and I agree with that. Timing, however, is everything in life. It is important to have the framework and the discussion but the timing needs to be right on that front. It would be irresponsible to push that agenda too much at this particular point in time. The size of the report alone suggests that it is something which should be discussed in this House. The implementation of the Good Friday Agreement is something which is close to everyone's heart. I suggest we have a debate on that.

Senator Boyhan raised the issue of the report of the Seanad Special Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. I give all credit to Senator Richmond and the other Senators on that committee for the amount of work they got through. It has been a very useful and helpful piece of work. Senator Conway-Walsh suggested that we hold a constructive debate on the findings of the report. That is a very good suggestion.

Senator Conway-Walsh also spoke about the elections in the North and in the UK. As I said, I agree with her point about the framework but timing is everything. I have already mentioned the report on Brexit. That would be a good discussion to have. It would be wise for this House to be to the forefront on this issue given that the report was compiled by a Seanad committee.

Senator Humphrey raised the issue of Cormac Ó Braonáin, which I have addressed. Senator Lawlor made a point about legal costs, the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, litigation and the judicial council committee. He has done a lot of work in this area. I have already addressed his question. The question of when a result in this regard is likely should be put to the Minister. Regardless of all the talk of committees and judicial councils, we really just need to see results with regard to the level of awards. I agree with the Senator in that regard.

Senator Leyden spoke about the elections and congratulated Boris and others. Senator Reilly congratulated many of the Members of Parliament who have been elected and requested a debate on the climate change agenda with the Minister, Deputy Bruton, in the new year, which would be timely. This would be a useful debate, especially with regard to rural Ireland. A general debate on climate change in the new year would be timely. I canvassed in Senator Reilly's constituency and the issue of school places was often raised. There is a growing population in the area. The HSE-type liaison group for education he suggested would be a good idea.

Senator Murnane O'Connor raised the issue of DEIS schools and others that have been awarded moneys for school lunch programmes that they have not used up. I find that very difficult to understand. I would be grateful if we could have a debate on that in the new year. If certain schools are not using it, it should be allocated to other schools.

Senator Colm Burke raised the issue of the health service, on which he does a lot of work, and the very satisfactory results in many areas of the health service. We get a wash of negative commentary with regard to the health service but all of us know people who cannot speak positively enough about the health service once they actually access it and receive care from nurses, doctors and all concerned. I acknowledge the work doctors, nurses and all healthcare workers will do over Christmas.

Senator Warfield also paid tribute to Cormac Ó Braonáin. Senator Feighan raised the issue of the elections and made a point about the timing of the border poll. Senator Gallagher raised the issue of the supply of qualified teachers. A few issues regarding education were raised today, so we should have the Minister for Education and Skills in early in the new year.

I have already addressed the first part of what Senator Kieran O'Donnell had to say. The issue of Limerick FC is very important for young people and older people in Limerick alike. It seems that all need to come together to ensure a satisfactory outcome. I have no doubt that the club will come through the process it is going through at the moment and that the Senator is working very closely with it.

Senator Ó Domhnaill raised the issue of the absence of the institutions.That is at the crux of what happened in the North. The people in the North want a voice in Westminster and in their own area. That was very evident during the election in any discourse that I heard. The 13 January deadline is looming. All signs seem fairly positive that Sinn Féin and the DUP are coming to this with more purpose. I hope we have the institutions up and running in the new year.