Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Without meaning to strike a note discordant with the Cathaoirleach's remarks, I concur with Senator Horkan. As a long-standing Member of the House, I believe it is important that we do not lose the tradition of bringing the families of deceased Members to the House. We should not lose that. I am very strong on that point. I appreciate that the Covid pandemic interfered with proceedings but there are Members for whom we have not done that. I hope that, in the new year, the House will bring family members in to celebrate and commemorate the lives of people like Dr. Hillery, whom Senator Horkan referenced. I do not mean to be discordant but it is important that we do not lose certain traditions in the House. I am glad that we have them.

I ask that the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, come to the House. I congratulate my colleague, Senator McGahon, on his great work on the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action and on his participation in COP27. The Minister, who is the EU lead negotiator in talks on loss and damage funding, is speaking this morning about aviation, the transport sector and other parts of business that will have to pay more. I remind Senators and the Minister that we are an island nation and that connectivity and aviation are very important to us. I ask that the Minister come to the House. Senator Lombard made reference to the National Transport Authority, NTA. I want to make reference to Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, as I did last week, with regard to its decision to propose increasing toll charges to the maximum permitted in the new year.Is TII tone deaf and blind to the hauliers, bus companies and hard-pressed motorists who are struggling to meet cost-of-living increases? Adding an extra charge on them on our motorways is mind-boggling. It is important that the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, come to the House to explain the rationale. We are penalising motorists more and more every day. Soon, it will almost be a crime to be a car owner or other motorist. We cannot let this continue. I ask that the Minister attend the House for an urgent debate on the impending toll charge increases.