Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In response to Senator Murphy, one would sometimes think there was nothing whatever but bad news from the discourses sometimes in both our Houses of Parliament. I acknowledge we do not get everything right, but when we do get things right they need to be at least acknowledged. The announcement of post office funding this week was very welcome, as was the announcement of rural and agriculture shows funding.

Senator Horkan talked about the difficulties the Irish public experienced and witnessed in Dublin Airport last week. To be fair, the testimony the witnesses gave yesterday was very earnest and very sincere. Some might say they had no choice but to put their hands up, but the situation obviously needs to be resolved. At least I think we feel now that all hands are on deck, and we wish anybody travelling this weekend a safe and relatively smooth journey through the airports.

I thank Senator Horkan for his kind comments about Mary Jackman. We were all incredibly sad to hear of her passing this week. She was, as he said, a real character and a gem of a lady. I missed the moment's silence the House had out of respect for her last night. I had huge admiration for her.

Senator Wall raised a really important topic, and his constituency colleague raised it at the outset this morning. Nobody should hear in the manner the SNAs heard yesterday about any position or service they offer the State, and this is an incredibly important one. The campaign Senator Wall has previously spoken about of respect for our SNAs certainly was not lived up to yesterday. I will certainly bring back to the Minister of State the feelings he has raised this morning, and not just on behalf of the three people from Kildare because I am quite sure a number of other people felt the same way yesterday. I thank the Senator for raising that matter.

Senator Fitzpatrick asked me to write a letter to ask the Minister for Transport to extend the ten-year rule for our taxi services. I will certainly make inquiries with the Minister, particularly given that a lot of our taxis were off the road for the best part of two years. The ten-year rule should be at least managed or balanced with perhaps some sort of mileage quota. I will certainly accede to the request to write to the Minister.

Senator Maria Byrne spoke about the €12 million announced by the Minister, Deputy Harris, in respect of students on the autistic spectrum attending university.She also asked for a debate on why the SUSI grant is not available for students, particularly females, who want to access part-time courses. That is certainly an anomaly.

Senator Mullen brought to our attention the despicable treatment of Cardinal Joseph Zen by the Hong Kong authorities. I do not know as much as I should about it but do know it is not how you treat with dignity and respect a 90-year-old man who has given a lifetime to the service of his faith and parishioners. There is already a request to talk about the rule of law in Hong Kong. The matter raised by the Senator could form part of that debate, but I will chase it up again with the Minister to determine whether we can have a debate here in which he can raise his issues.

The Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, was mentioned this morning by Senator Davitt. He has the very sad task this morning of bearing his Dad . I extend my condolences to him publicly because those of us who are here obviously cannot be with him this morning. However, we are certainly mindful of this very sad time for his family.

Senator Kyne welcomed this morning the passport changes that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, has announced. We are all aware that the Passport Office has been working incredibly hard over recent months, as is evident from the fact that the number of passports it has issued is far in excess of the number issued at any time heretofore. People can apply online for a passport on a given day and it is put in the post the very next day. While we know the office can do its work really well, we are all well aware that the difficulties faced by some families, particularly those waiting for a child's first passport, have caused tremendous stress. The changes announced today recognise that the system was not working. It is important that we work with people to make sure they can access public services in a very timely manner. It is the very least we should do.

Senator Kyne and others welcomed the temporary inclusion of RACO in ICTU for the purpose of its public sector pay talks.

Senator Davitt asked for a debate on the Irish corporation tax rate. I will put a request in to the Minister for Finance.

Senator Moynihan asked for a debate on special education. I will talk to the responsible Minister to see whether we can arrange that.

Senator Boylan raised the relaunching of the Raise the Roof campaign this morning and would like a debate on housing.

Senator Pippa Hackett regaled us, probably in the only way she can, using beautiful, descriptive language regarding the show that has become synonymous with the bank holiday weekend, Bloom. Tens of thousands of people go to it and enjoy it. To echo Senator Hackett, please God we will get the good weather that will encourage people to go.

Senator Keogan raised concerns not just on her own behalf but also on behalf of others regarding some of the amendments in the work–life balance Bill. To be honest with the Senator, I was not aware of the matter raised until she brought it to our attention. It is certainly something we will have to discuss further when the Bill comes to both Houses. I thank the Senator for raising it.

Senator Buttimer asked for a forum to hold the HSE to account. He has attempted to do so on Commencement Matters here but failed. An obvious question needs to be asked: why are two advanced-paramedic motorbike units in Cork not being utilised? I am not sure how I will satisfy the Senator regarding his request but I will put my thinking cap on and determine whether I can find a way to help him.

Senator O'Loughlin opened by saying Pride Month is synonymous with June. It is a month that gives us an opportunity to highlight how we absolutely need to treat people with dignity, respect and, in some cases, tolerance. I refer to treating people just with love. From my perspective, human beings should be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their views. We should have respect for each other. Pride Month is an opportunity for those of us who are LGBT allies – I really believe we should all be – to offer support and solidarity to people in a minority group to ensure they receive the treatment, respect and dignity that we all take so much for granted.

Senator O'Loughlin acknowledged the inter-parliamentary unit's interactions with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe over recent days and stated how we have had 46 different countries here discussing international co-operation. That is to be very much respected.

Senator O'Loughlin also raised the issue of respect for special needs assistants and allocations for schools. As I have informed Senator Wall, I will talk to the Minister responsible for special education. Senator O'Loughlin also welcomed the inclusion of RACO in ICTU negotiations.