Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach and all colleagues very much. My job becomes an awful lot easier because of the wonderful people in this House across all parties.

Back in 2012 or 2013 when the people voted to retain the Seanad, they were actually very inspired in terms of their decision because that is how people like me can achieve and be in the position I am in today. I thank our great Deputy Leader, Senator Doherty, for asking me to be Acting Leader today. Seven Senators raised very important issues on the Order of Business.

Senator O'Loughlin raised the issue of sports facilities and volleyball and minority sports in general not having a permanent facility. There is a lot of logic in a proposal that there should be some sort of grant scheme done through the local authority to establish a sports campus, if you like. It is something that certainly could be replicated in other communities. In County Clare, we have a number of minority sports that do not have a permanent base and that are constantly relying on the goodwill of other bigger sporting organisations. It does cause a certain number of challenges. In terms of women's health, this Government and the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, have done a huge amount to advance the whole issue of healthcare for women. Certainly, there is an awful lot more that can be done. In terms of the third issue the Senator raised, it is very important that there would be a register of owners and management companies of apartment complexes.I will ask the Leader's office to write to the Minister for Justice to see when that can be put together. If it does require legislation, we will be very happy to do it here in the House.

Senator Mullen raised the issue of the INTO. We were all at the briefing last week, where the INTO raised the issue of class sizes. We all want to see a reduction in class size. The last budget did not facilitate a reduction in class sizes but the three previous budgets did. I remember going to INTO briefings four years ago when class sizes were 24 or 25. Now they are down to 22. Obviously we all want to see it reduced to 20. On the increase in capitation grants, absolutely, with the way inflation is at the moment and the increased cost of doing everything, we would certainly like to see an increase in the capitation grant.

Senator Gavan spoke about home carers and the minimum wage that most of them are on. It is a major issue. Pay of €13.10 an hour is not good enough for the type of work they do. As Chair of the Seanad Select Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments, I will certainly look at the minimum wage directive. I will put in a request as Chair of the committee to see where we are in terms of implementation. If it is a directive, we have a responsibility to transpose it into law. Let us just get on with it. I give the Senator a commitment that I will ask the secretariat of my committee to follow up on that as soon as possible.

Senator Lombard referred to the school principals' briefing in the AV room yesterday. There are issues, absolutely. Some school principals are good, but some are very good and some are extraordinary. The difference they make in the lives of their students and also their communities can be phenomenal. We need to support them in the work they do. We need to make them feel wanted and appreciated. I fully agree with that.

I am delighted there are 3,500 commencements in Cork. It is great news. That is 3,500 families in Cork who are going to benefit from a home in the next year to 18 months. Nationally at the moment, in the first six months of the year we are at over 30,000 commencements. This means 30,000 citizens are going to have a home. That is great news. I absolutely support the Taoiseach's commitment that we should be building 50,000 houses a year. I would go further. If we can build more than 50,000, that is what we need to be doing.

Senator Horkan paid tribute to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. He has been an extraordinary politician over many decades in difficult circumstances. I remember he was in government between 2007 and 2011. He lost his seat in 2011 but he did not give up on politics. He believed in the decency and humanity of politics. I join with the Senator and every other Member of this House in acknowledging the huge contribution he has made. On Tuesday evening he was appearing in public session at the EU scrutiny committee and I had an opportunity then to pay tribute to him. His contribution has been extraordinary.

On Dublin Airport and the cap, I think it is a load of nonsense to have a cap on passengers in any airport. For Ireland to work, Dublin has to work. For tourism to work in Ireland, Dublin Airport has to work. Would we not love to see 50 million passengers a year coming through Dublin Airport? I will certainly ask for a debate on the issue of the cap as soon as possible. On Aer Lingus, I fully agree that they all need to sit down, engage and talk about their issues. I would also like to remind the pilots that a salary of €250,000 a year is more than what the Taoiseach is on. Looking for a 24% increase is totally unrealistic, in my view. They do a good job and a very important job, but they also need to realise that they are extremely well paid. A reset button needs to be pressed in terms of the Aer Lingus pilots.

Moving on to Senator Seery Kearney's contribution, I welcome Amy, if she is still in the Gallery. I absolutely support what the Senator said about the Oireachtas disability group. It does phenomenal work. Particularly in this term, we have seen what has happened in terms of advocating for people with disabilities. The fact that we are now an autism-friendly Parliament says an awful lot about our attitude and the Parliament's attitude to disability. I pay tribute to Roisin Deery - I am not sure what her title is but everyone knows who she is - and her team for the enormous work they do here in the Oireachtas.

Senator Murphy referred to Paddy the barber. I do not know him. Paddy Joe Burke is obviously a great character and a very important character in the Roscommon community. I wish him well in his retirement and in his new role as the age-friendly ambassador. It is going to be very challenging but, based on what Senator Murphy has told us about Paddy Joe, he will relish the opportunity and will do a wonderful job. I will also ask the Leader to facilitate a debate and an engagement with the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, who is doing extraordinary work in her role. Certainly there is a logic for extending her portfolio and changing the name of it to include loneliness as well.

I thank Senators for their very good wishes. It is my first time responding to the Order of Business and I hope I did okay.