Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join Senator Mary Seery Kearney in welcoming the proposals from Government about international surrogacy and the recognition of surrogacy arrangements. She did not mention herself in her contribution. She deserves major accolades for her tenacity, professionalism, zeal and drive to make sure that this happened. I sincerely thank her and say well done to her.

We have an orange weather warning forecast for tonight and tomorrow. I ask that the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy O'Brien, come to the House to update us on the State's preparedness for this weather event. It is forecast to be -11°C in some parts of the country. I seek the debate on foot of a contribution on "Morning Ireland" this morning from geriatrician, Dr. Colm Byrne. He spoke about the need for gritted footpaths that could save the State millions and would help to save many of our elderly people, who are vulnerable at this time of year with the cold weather due to the fragility of their bones. If the Minister can come to the House to update us, that is an important matter. I hope and think that we have learned from the mishap of 2010. We now have a different code of warnings for weather.

I share the concerns of some with regard to the proposed planning reform that if we are going to prevent community groups or residents groups from making objections, we should not do so with regard to those in the catchment area of a proposed development. Let us have that debate at a different time.