Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Craughwell asked that I contact the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence regarding whether it is appropriate for the Secretary General of the Department of Defence to be an ex officio member of an external oversight body. I will ask the office to contact the Tánaiste on this matter. It is quite a specific matter that could be raised by way of an amendment to the Bill or as a Commencement matter. The Senator feels strongly about it and will have the opportunity in the coming weeks to raise it on Committee Stage of the defence Bill that is going through the Houses.

Senator Murphy correctly condemned the barrage of abuse and threats to the Taoiseach and his family. It is the same for any member of the public in public life or any politician. I join in his condemnation, not only on behalf of the Taoiseach, but also for his neighbours and people in the locality.A bomb threat is a bomb threat. It will not just affect the Taoiseach's house. It will affect the neighbouring houses. The picketing and threatening behaviour in the protests affects more than just the Taoiseach and his family and we condemn it.

The Senator also spoke about old Garda homes and mentioned Strokestown and Taghmaconnell. Obviously, it makes sense that any vacant properties are put back into use. I suggest that the Senator puts down a Commencement matter for debate with the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, who is responsible for the OPW. I will mention it to the Minister of State. I am sure I will see him around the Houses. I know that from time to time, old Garda stations are sold at auction but it would make sense if the OPW was to invest and provide those for rental to members of An Garda Síochána. It is important for those properties to be brought back into use, so I will raise it with the Minister of State but I suggest putting down a Commencement matter for debate.

Senator Mullen welcomed Mattie Kilroy to the House as a guest of Deputy O'Dowd. We wish Mattie and Kathleen well. Senator Mullen also raised the issue of children accessing pornography and age verification for pornography. This is a real-life issue because so many children have access to smartphones at a very young age and you can effectively find anything you want using a smartphone and Google. Of course, there are advantages as it opens up a whole world of learning but there are negatives and downsides, so I look forward to the Senator's Bill. It is a worldwide issue. There may be issues relating to where companies are listed but he certainly raises a very valid point.

Senator Dolan mentioned the ETB day in Buswells Hotel yesterday. I know Councillor Michael "Moegie" Maher, president of Education and Training Boards Ireland, was there and spoke as did many of the directors of the ETBs, who do great work up and down the country providing education from national school to secondary school to further education and lifelong learning, which is becoming more and more important. We will try to have a debate on this matter and invite the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to the House to discuss the role of ETBs. That would be important.

Senator Currie spoke about the top up of €2,000 for teachers and quite rightly spoke about the demand for housing among teachers, gardaí and nurses. That list is not exhaustive. You could go to a range of front-line people, be they in our local authorities, the fire brigade, the ambulance service and civil defence, who have a demand for housing. The legality of that might be a question for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage or the Minister of State. I am sure the Senator can raise this matter during the debate on the relevant sections of the Planning and Development Bill. The Government has been ramping up supply, which is vital, for the past number of years under Housing for All to provide additional housing units, be they cost rental, social and affordable or for purchase. Increasing supply is the most important thing we can do. I suggest Senator Currie raise this with the Minister during the debate on the Planning and Development Bill.

Senator Ward raised the very important issue of Gaeloideachas agus an obair atá á déanamh trasna na tíre ar son na Gaeilge agus an oideachais trí mheán na Gaeilge. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil feachtas i mBaile Átha Cliath 2, 4, 6 agus 8 agus go bhfuil muintir na háite ag lorg Gaelscoileanna sna ceantair sin. Is ábhar fíorthábhachtach é agus tá ar an Roinn níos mó a dhéanamh chun na Gaelcholáistí sin a bhunú. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil an t-éileamh ann agus b'fhéidir go mbeimid in ann é seo a phlé trí Ní i dTosach Suíonna nó rud éigin mar sin i rith na míosa seo chugainn. Is ábhar fíorthábhachtach é agus molaim agus tréaslaím leis an Seanadóir as é a ardú anseo inniu agus an obair atá á déanamh in earnáil an Ghaeloideachais. Gabhaim buíochas.