Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 25 Members of the House for their contributions on the final Order of Business of the term and, as Senator Marshall stated, of the decade. When we come back, it will be a new decade and a new opportunity for this House.

Senators Clifford-Lee, Lawlor, Reilly, Mulherin and Horkan raised the issue of insurance and the disappointing news of the withdrawal by Ironshore Europe from the market. It has created a strong sense of worry and frustration. The issue of insurance is a priority for the Government. The Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy, set up a working group. Senators will be aware that, regardless of who is in government, the Government and the Central Bank are constrained in how they can get involved in the market and pricing therein, but there has been significant reform in the insurance industry. However, it is fair to say that there is a need to ensure that insurance companies play ball, are fair in their pricing and do not rip people off. The Government is conscious of that. The Judicial Council Act 2019 is one mechanism that hopefully will drive prices down. I would be happy to have the Minister of State return to the House in the new year on the matter.

Senator Craughwell referred to homelessness. At this time of year, many people are vulnerable. I remind the Senator that the Government will expend €2.4 billion on housing and homelessness in next year's budget. This is about ensuring that we increase housing supply.

Among others, Senators Ruane, Bacik, Gavan and Clifford-Lee spoke about the issue of secretarial pay and conditions. It is a cross-party motion supported by us all. As I stated last week, the role and nature of the job have evolved and changed, and pay must therefore be commensurate with what is expected in light of the educational backgrounds of many of our staff. I hope that there will be a prompt and expeditious change. We will take the matter up with the Minister and the commission and we will place it on the agenda of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges in the new year.

My learned colleague and friend, Senator Conway-Walsh, spoke about An Post and the Government's role. I remind her that, a number of years ago, the Government introduced a suite of its services for delivery through An Post - social protection payments, driving licences, property tax, dog licences and television licences. At the risk of ridicule and condemnation by many, we even refused to change the post office's model of delivery of television licences. People would have been critical of it. The post office handles passports. Garda fines can be paid via An Post. In 2018, An Post reached an agreement with the Irish Postmasters Union, IPU, whereby there would be no further compulsory closures of post offices. The Senator is a member of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach and an eminent finance spokesperson in this House. I remind her that An Post was in profitability to the tune of €40 million in 2018 and €8.4 million in 2017. More Government services have been given to An Post than ever before, but I look forward to having a debate about An Post in the new year.