Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding arrangements for the sitting of the House for Friday 15 and Tuesday 19 July 2016, to be taken without debate on conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, statements on the summer economic statement to be taken at 1.30 p.m. and to conclude not later than 3 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be called upon to reply to the debate not later than 2.55 p.m.; No. 3, Health (Amendment) Bill 2016, all Stages, to be taken at 3 p.m., with debate on Second Stage to be brought to a conclusion within 60 minutes, in which the contributions of group spokespersons are not to exceed eight minutes, those of all other Senators are not to exceed five minutes and the Minister is to be given five minutes to reply, and Committee and Remaining Stages to be taken immediately thereafter; and No. 4, motion regarding section 44 of the Criminal Justice Act 1994, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 3 and to conclude within 40 minutes, with the time allocated to group spokespersons not to exceed five minutes each and the Minister to be given five minutes to reply.

Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail)
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On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group I extend our congratulations to Prime Minister Theresa May on her election as leader of the Conservative Party and her election as the second female Prime Minister of Britain. In the wake of Brexit she will face many challenges in implementing and negotiating a Brexit for the UK. I hope that Ireland can continue to keep its place as one of Britain's main trading partners which we have enjoyed for many years.

Yesterday I was angered and disgusted to hear the continuing narrative across our airwaves that Ireland has engaged in leprechaun economics. The Central Statistics Office, CSO, figures published yesterday announced that Ireland has had a massive increase of 26% in GDP. I cannot imagine that any constituents, represented by this House, have felt this increase in their pockets. However, if these figures are true, perhaps the Minister for Finance could stand over them. If it is the case that the figures are inflated because of technology companies' intellectual property, IP, assets and aircraft leasing companies relocating here, then it is incumbent upon the Minister for Finance to clarify this. If accounting methods are out of date, then they must be updated to ensure they represent a true figure of our economic growth.

With Brexit on the horizon and at a time when we need to be presented as capable and professional, Ireland is being laughed at by the financial world and is being made a mockery of. In the wake of Brexit, Ireland needs to be out there fighting for any upside from Brexit. We need to encourage foreign companies to come to Ireland to do business and we need to send a message that Ireland is a great place to do business and is open for business. Ireland needs to show that the economy is stable and that we are the right place in which to locate. Perhaps the Leader could ask the Minister for Finance to clarify the CSO figures and to issue a statement on it.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
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I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to have the Minister for Defence, An Taoiseach, brought before the House. This is not because I like to pull a stunt. There is a very serious situation about a lieutenant-colonel in the Defence Forces who had applied for promotion to the rank of colonel and was unsuccessful in the competition. Subsequently it was found that the marks awarded to some of the candidates were incorrectly awarded, and as a result, the lieutenant-colonel was not promoted when he should have been. He had to retire at the age of 58 which meant this man lost out on the rank of colonel salary, pension and gratuity. He could have become the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces at some stage. However, the matter has been ongoing and the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces made a ruling on it. The ombudsman received a letter from the Department in which it states:

I have carefully considered your observations on the case. I do accept there may have been a level of ambiguity and lack of transparency surrounding the award of length of service remarks to candidates in the promotion competition and this is regrettable.

It goes on to state that in regard to the suggestion that a further gesture be offered to this particular lieutenant-colonel: "I am advised it would not be policy nor practice to offer same based on the findings of your office." We are talking about a man who has served this country in the Lebanon and Iraq. He was the last Irish officer to leave Iraq before that country became a war zone. He was the last Irish officer in the Lebanon when it closed down some years ago. The man has an exemplary distinguished record. He was hard done by and wronged in a promotional competition. The ombudsman found in his favour but there is somebody in the Department of Defence turning around and saying the Department does not agree and it will not look after this guy.

On the right of any Minister are the officials advising that Minister. On the left of the Minister is the ombudsman, who is there to advise when a wrong has been done. This man has been dealt the most horrendous blow to his distinguished military career. I regret having to ask the Leader to bring the Taoiseach before the Seanad today. If he cannot do it, I ask him to arrange a debate on the function and role of ombudsmen generally in this country and in particular, the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces. I am really appalled by this.

Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party)
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I know many Senators hail from coastal communities around the country and I am from Tramore, County Waterford. I bring the Leader's attention to a serious failure in policy that is having an impact on the sustainability of livelihoods in coastal communities and has implications for biodiversity and marine habitats. Ireland signed up to the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive in 2008 and under the directive, we were required by 2012 to have designated a network of marine protected areas. We have failed to comply. It is time we got serious about recognising the value of our marine natural heritage from an economic and social perspective. If we are to protect the sustainable fishing practices of small coastal communities and sustain livelihoods, we must comply.

What is the objective of having these sites? These are the building blocks of marine sustainability. Marine protected areas are essential nurseries for fishing species and it enables them to replenish. Many fish stocks are under threat, as Senators know, and this threat comes chiefly from the presence of super-trawlers depleting stocks. It also comes from our failure to adequately protect the foundations of the food supply chain. The Minister will shortly publish the programme of measures for implementation of the marine strategy framework directive and I ask that we put aside some time in this House to debate the report and have the Minister present for it.

Kevin Humphreys (Labour)
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Approximately two weeks ago I raised with the Leader on the Order of Business a request for the Taoiseach to come before the House. With the settling down of what happened two weeks ago, a serious discussion must be held with the Taoiseach on new politics and how our Constitution is treated. Through sleight of hand, Article 28 of the Constitution, relating to collective Cabinet responsibility, was avoided. The Attorney General's opinion was clear on the legislation. Officeholders have stated they do not care what is in the Constitution and they will vote for legislation even if it is in breach of the Constitution.

Every time a difficulty or issue is raised, we speak about new politics. New politics is now getting a name for reckless or shady politics, or even no politics. Some officeholders are not carrying out their functions. There has only been one transfer of functions to a Minister or Minister of State since the formation of the Government so we still do not have a Minister responsible for the environment. I put the Leader on notice that I will be proposing an amendment to the Order of Business next week if he cannot come back with a time and date for the Taoiseach to come to this House and debate what is new politics and explain exactly what he means by the term. The general public is seeing this with every issue that arises. The eighth amendment is being kicked to the citizens' convention and water charges are going to a commission. The school admissions policy discussion is being put back for a year. We now have a Government with no politics or agenda. We have a responsibility in this House to debate, discuss and advise the Taoiseach on what we believe is new politics. I believe it is about moving on this country for its citizens rather than hanging on to office positions without power.

I ask the Leader to go to the Taoiseach and ask for a date and time next week to come to this House and explain his vision of new politics. The public sees it as reckless and sometimes shady.

John O'Mahony (Fine Gael)
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I raise an issue today relating to water safety, particularly regarding the protection of piers, slipways and harbours. We are at the peak of the summer season, with schools on holiday and tourism numbers at their peak. Tragically, over 140 people are drowned each year for various reasons. Some drown tragically and by suicide but that is not the point I want to make. We all remember the tragedy in Buncrana last April, when five members of the same family lost their lives. That highlights how easily an outing can turn to tragedy in seconds. Everybody would wish that such a tragedy would not happen and should never happen again. I understand the slipway in Buncrana has seen additional protection installed as a result of what happened. We should not have to wait for a tragedy for this to come about.

There are thousands of tourists, particularly along the Wild Atlantic Way, who do not have local knowledge or know how easily this type of event can happen. In my county of Mayo, there are 700 km of coast and 78 facilities like those I mentioned. I happened to visit one a couple of weeks ago and I saw with my own eyes how dangerous they can be if a person does not have local knowledge. These facilities are public by nature and generally open to the public, and it is important that they remain public. Each council has a water safety development officer whose remit is to ensure that risks are minimised but I suspect it would be an impossible task to erect barriers, bollards and gates at every pier, slipway and harbour to prevent cars either accidentally or otherwise going into the water. I assume when additions, extensions and refurbishments are done, safety is taken into account.

I ask that at some stage the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is brought before the House to indicate the instructions to councils or the subventions made to carry out this work. We need to have it carried out before we see further tragedy.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail)
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I wish to address the leader of the Fine Gael group about a disappointing matter. Three weeks ago, I put down a Commencement issue for the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, relating to Tír na nÓg respite services. I am very disappointed because on the day I received an insufficient reply. What should happen when a Minister is called to the House to address an urgent issue in one's home town but one cannot contact anybody or get a reply? Yesterday, we spoke about reforming the Seanad. I ask the Leader for reform when a Minister is brought into the House to deal with a specific and urgent question. I had another question about the Holy Angels centre but I got no answer on it either.We need to have a protocol in place that will ensure we keep in contact with the Minister. I understand that not everything can happen overnight, but as a new Senator I am very disappointed that there is no comeback or follow-up. I ask the Leader to address that serious issue because, as I said to the Minister that day, I will raise it every month until it is addressed.

Frances Black (Independent)
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I attended a briefing this morning by an organisation called WALK, which works with young people with intellectual disabilities, where I met two amazing young women, Jessica and Niamh. Jessica is a young girl with intellectual disabilities who struggled with depression because she could not find the right work for her or any place to go. Due to her so-called intellectual disability - although, to me, she is a beautiful, inspirational young woman - she ended up having to work in a dry cleaner's, which drove her to attempt suicide. Thankfully, she was not successful in that attempt. Jessica is a beautiful, creative young woman who deserves her rightful place in this world, as does Niamh, a young girl with Down's syndrome, who passed the junior certificate and leaving certificate with As, Bs and Cs, which is fantastic. She deserves to be in the workforce. WALK is running out of funding. Its funding will be cut by next Christmas and those two young women are devastated. They deserve to be in the workforce doing normal jobs like everybody else. They deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, as all of us would wish. It is the responsibility of those of us in Leinster House to make sure that WALK gets the funding it deserves. It should not have its funding cut by Christmas this year, and it should be allowed to continue its work. I recognise that and I commend the organisation also.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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Iarraim ar an gCeannaire díospóireacht a eagrú ar stádas na Gaeilge sa tír seo le grinnstaidéar a dhéanamh ar na stratéisí atá in úsáid againn chun an teanga labhartha a fhorbairt agus a mhéadú. Sílim nach bhfuilimid ag baint go leor triail as an nGaeltacht. Ba chóir cabhair a thabhairt do níos mó daltaí ar fud na tíre - ón nGalltacht, mar a déarfá - tréimhse a chaitheamh sa Ghaeltacht. Tá sé iontach cabhrach do na mic léinn óga, do fhorbairt na teanga agus don phearsantacht iomlán. Is rud iontach é má chothaíonn na mic léinn agus na daoine óga tuiscint ar ár n-oidhreacht, ár stair agus ar shaol nádúrtha na Gaeltachta. Tá mé lán-chinnte faoi seo: ba chóir dúinn níos mó mic léinn óga a stiúradh agus a mhealladh chuig an Ghealtacht. Os rud é go bhfuil feabhas ag teacht ar chúrsaí eacnamaíochta anois, ba chóir dúinn cabhair a thabhairt do na daoine óga dul ann. Sílim go bhfuil sé riachtanach agus ba mhaith liom díospóireacht a bheith againn ar an gceist iomlán sa Teach seo go luath.

Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
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I second Senator Gerard Craughwell's amendment to the Order of Business. In doing so, I encourage the Leader to ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to come to the House as soon as possible to discuss a number of issues relating to that portfolio.

The preliminary 2016 census results, which have just been published, show that the population of Cavan has risen by 4% to 76,092 and that the population of Monaghan has risen by 1.3% to 61,273. I ask the Leader to inquire when a Constituency Commission will be formed to examine the drawing up of boundaries for the next general election, as it is well known that my county of Cavan was butchered by that commission when it last met. Senator O'Reilly will agree with me on that.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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Absolutely.

Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
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I call on the Leader to inquire when this commission will sit, and I ask that a practising former politician who knows what it is like to canvass in and represent a constituency be allowed to sit on that commission. The Clerk of the Seanad sits on it, and does an excellent job, but I ask the Leader to ensure that a former practising politician also be allowed to sit on it to provide the common sense that is needed in this regard.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Coming events cast dark shadows before.

Colm Burke (Fine Gael)
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I wish to discuss a matter of procedure with regard to the Commencement matters. This morning is the ninth morning in a row I have submitted a Commencement matter which was not accepted. That is over three weeks. I have had one Commencement matter accepted since this Seanad resumed. We need to examine the procedures here. Many people want to get the benefit of the Commencement discussion, but we are not getting it. I ask that some new procedure be adopted under which more Commencement matters are accepted per morning or, if they are not accepted but are deemed to be appropriate, that the Minister be asked to give a written reply. In that way, at least five or six Commencement matters would be taken each morning. I submitted nine Commencement matters that were not accepted and I ask the Leader to examine that. The House will adjourn within the next ten days but it is appropriate that we examine the issue now to ensure that all Members of the House get access to information they require and are able to raise issues that are important to them.

I ask the Leader to provide time for a debate on the charities sector. In 2013, I put a detailed question to the Joint Committee on Health and Children and to the HSE on the charities sector and, interestingly, the information that was to be released to the health committee was released to the media four or five days before the health committee sat. As a result, the Committee of Public Accounts took over the issues relevant to the health committee and advised the committee that we could no longer deal with that issue while it was dealing with it. The Committee of Public Accounts focused on one or two charities, but 2,600 charities receive funding from the HSE. Last year, the total funding from the HSE, including capital grants, that goes to various charitable organisations was €3.72 billion. In that regard, 1,847 charities got less than €100,000, but that still adds up to €34 million. Many organisations get funding, and there is a great deal of duplication, but we need a serious debate on how we can get value for money while at the same time helping these organisations to deliver the service they want to deliver. I am calling for a full debate not only on funding from the HSE but also on funding from other Departments as well as the charities regulator. I do not believe the charities regulator is adequately funded or that it has an adequate number of staff to deal with the issues arising. The issues that I and other members of the health committee raised as far back as 2013 are coming back to haunt us because we were not given the time to deal with the ones we wanted to address. The way the Committee of Public Accounts dealt with it is coming back to haunt it also, because certain people had a personal agendas and aimed to take hold of that entire area. That is wrong. It should not have been taken out of the control of the health committee. The Members of this House should have had an input into it.A lot of people in the House have experience and can make a contribution on the issue, and we should have an appropriate debate on the matter.

Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)
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Today, 14 July, is Bastille Day, and I am sure colleagues will join me in wishing all our friends in France and French ex-pats around the world all the best. They have gone through a very difficult time in the past few years. It is time to highlight that Euro 2016 was a major success, perhaps not for the French football team in the final but for a lot of the participating nations, especially our near neighbours Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as the Republic of Ireland.

The marching season has taken place over the past few days. Things are a lot better than they were, and I welcome, as I said three or four weeks ago, the fact that supporters of the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland football teams mingled and worked together. It is not a panacea, but it certainly helped. I congratulate all those from the various parties who helped to ensure it was one of the most peaceful marching seasons in recent years, and I hope things move forward. I know the situation is difficult.

It is interesting that Boris Johnson has been appointed as Foreign Secretary in the United Kingdom, something that brings challenges and difficulties. I again ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to come to the House and outline his views on how we can best connect and work together to face all of the challenges that have arisen since Brexit.

Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
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We received an e-mail from the Restaurants Association of Ireland yesterday regarding a matter that, I understand, Senator Gallagher raised yesterday, namely, the struggle it is having in finding chefs in the country. It referred to a shortage of 5,000 chefs. The name of the organisation rang a bell with me and I wondered what it was. It is the same organisation that called for a freezing of the minimum wage until 2020 and refuses to engage in setting up a joint labour committee even though legislation has been passed. It is now saying it cannot find staff. Is it any wonder that is the case, when it is doing everything it can to keep down wages and keep people on poverty rates of pay? Rather than focus on the shortage of chefs, I ask the Leader to bring the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to the House to discuss the scandal of organisations such as this receiving large subsidies of €650 million a year while at the same time refusing to engage with the legitimate organs of the State regarding the establishment of a joint labour committee to ensure we have proper decency and terms and conditions in the industry.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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We are in a rather uncertain period in the aftermath of the UK referendum result on 23 June. I am delighted that the staff complement dealing with Brexit in the Department of the Taoiseach has been seriously beefed up. That is necessary as we head into the crucial negotiations that will take place at EU level.

Arising from that, one area that is vital to our economy and could be adversely affected is tourism. It is vital to every part of the country. In light of that, I encourage the Leader to have an early debate on tourism so that we can hear from the Minister what plans he has for the domestic tourism market.

Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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I agree with Senator Wilson's analysis of the census report that has been issued this morning. In many ways, it will be very important for Ireland, not just in terms of how political institutions deal with population increases - the population is now 4.6 million - but on an infrastructural level, in terms of how we cater for such an increase. My county, Cork, has had a population increase of 23,000 people in the past five years, which will have a knock-on effect on infrastructure. It will affect basic things we have discussed in the Chamber, such as the Dunkettle interchange and the Ballincollig bypass, as well as Irish Water. The census reports are very important, but we have to build on them and put infrastructure in place so that we can deliver the services required for the vast numbers of people now living in the country.

The population of Cork has increased by 23,000, which will have a major impact politically. Realistically, a Constituency Commission will probably add another Dáil seat to Cork if the requirement is 30,000 per Deputy. If and when a commission is established it will have to consider such issues, because boundaries will have to be changed. For the first time ever, there may have to be a real change in boundaries in Cork. That may suit some people but not others. It is something we have to look forward to.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I spent 40 years waiting for Cork South-West to become a four-seat constituency. Senator Lombard might get his wish.

James Reilly (Fine Gael)
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In Fingal we have experienced changes that made very little sense to us, with the capital of the constituency and Fingal divided in two at one point. We are now pleased to be back as one unit. I am not sure how one could avoid serial rows and accusations if there were a former politician on the commission. Gerrymandering is something that is strong in everybody's mind.

It is terribly important that we support charities and the great work they do - the vast bulk do phenomenal work. From my time as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I know voluntarism in the youth sector is phenomenal. Some 40,000 volunteers support hundreds of thousands of young people in this country. We are unique in terms of the level of participation we have. Whatever we say and whatever regulations are introduced in order to cut out fraud and so on, we need to continue to support charities not just with money but with moral support for the great people who spend so much of their free time supporting worthy causes. I agree with Senator Colm Burke. When I was Minister for Health I instigated the inquiry into irregular payments in certain section 38 and section 39 institutions, which led to the findings about the Central Remedial Clinic and others.

I refer to the census. I could not agree more with Senator Lombard when it comes to infrastructure. Fingal has the fastest-growing population in the country, a fact underpinned by the census, which showed growth of 8%. Therefore, we need to plan for infrastructure. I would like the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the current plans for a metro. I would be grateful if the Leader would invite the Minister to the House in the autumn to give us an update on the current status of the project. It is essential for a young population to be able to access education facilities and businesses that wish to do business in north county Dublin. It is essential for the airport and its further development, and it is essential for international traffic to have quick access to the city centre, where people may wish to do business.

Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail)
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I will add to what other speakers said about the boundaries review. I live in the constituency of Dublin Rathdown, as do a number of other Senators, including Senators O'Donnell, Craughwell and Richmond. Dublin Rathdown experienced the single largest butchering of any constituency the last time around in that it went from being a five-seater to a three-seater. No other constituency lost 40% of its area. For any area to lose that many constituents is unfortunate and unhelpful and it would better if this was not done in the future. Could the Leader bring in the relevant Minister at some stage to talk about the boundaries review and what the process will be the next time around?

It is now mid-July, and within a month or so, leaving certificate results will come out followed by CAO offers and the annual search for student accommodation throughout the country but particularly in south Dublin which is one of the most expensive places to find property. Could the Leader bring in the relevant Minister or authority to discuss how we could provide additional on-campus accommodation throughout the country but particularly in the areas where housing need is greatest? The less student accommodation there is, the more private housing is taken up by students, which deprives families and other people of the chance to get into the housing system or onto the housing ladder. It would be helpful if we discussed how we can provide additional on-campus student accommodation, especially in areas where rents are very high. This could offset some of the costs students and their families face.

Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael)
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Ministers come in here quite frequently. Invariably, many of the debates are adjourned. It would be good practice for the Minister to be given the last five minutes of every debate to respond. The debate on broadband last week involving the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources contained very new and fresh information. The questions put from the floor were very insightful and the debate was cutting edge, yet the Minister did not respond at the end and the debate was adjourned. By the time the Minister comes back in here, much of the information will be stale and old. We speak about Seanad reform. I firmly believe a key focus should be on amending the way we do business in the House to make it more relevant and fresher. From now on, if a Minister comes in for a debate involving many speakers, he or she should respond during the five minutes at the end of the debate. If we adjourn it, it comes back in again. We had a very insightful debate last week on broadband to which the Minister did not respond. That debate was in the other House two hours later and all the work we did here was stale. If we are doing the work, the House is entitled to get feedback and rewards for the effort we put in. This is a very small measure that could yield substantial benefits to the House and the public looking in. I want us to be seen as being increasingly relevant. Debate and questioning here are of a high quality, but they are of no use unless we hear from the Minister on the day.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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That is an issue for the Order of Business on each given day. The roll-over of debates is the exception rather than the rule. It is not very common so the question of whether the Minister responds or the debate rolls on is a matter for the Leader and the order of the day.

Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael)
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Could I get clarification on the point because it is something I feel strongly about? The Cathaoirleach is saying that-----

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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The Leader-----

Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael)
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It is possible on any one day-----

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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The Order of Business is agreed every day. If the Senator has an issue, he can object to it. That is a matter for the Leader.

In respect of the point raised by Senator Colm Burke, I have the responsibility for choosing Commencement Matters. It is probably not a matter for the Leader but the multiplicity of Commencement Matters is extraordinary. An average of 12 or 14 are received and I am only allowed to pick four. At one stage, I thought that we could manage five but given the way they roll on, it would conflict with the Order of Business, which cannot be permitted. I was quite happy for us to take five instead of four. It used to be three. The difficulty I have is that I must try to be fair to all groups. Some people come in every week and if somebody comes in every two months or has an important issue, I must give them preference as well. I try to be fair but it does not always pan out. I will never get the ideal situation but I am cognisant that it was difficult today. The way it panned out was that two Fine Gael Senators were chosen because there was nobody from Fianna Fáil so I tried to balance it. I try to be fair. There is no utopian solution. I will take responsibility for that but I will talk to Senator Colm Burke privately about it.

Colm Burke (Fine Gael)
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This is not a criticism of the Cathaoirleach in any way. I am just saying that if there is a large volume of Commencement Matter topics, procedure needs to be looked at in order that we can get ministerial replies in writing rather than having to wait around for a reply.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I thank all 18 Members who raised issues on the Order of Business. Senator Ardagh raised the CSO figures. I think we addressed this topic yesterday but it is important to understand that concern has been expressed regarding the CSO figures on growth and how they have been compiled. The CSO has accepted that there might be a need to look at how it measures and presents them. The fundamental underlying point is that as a country, we are beginning to emerge into a better space. Employment is increasing, unemployment is on the way down and there are more people back at work. Consumer spending is increasing and there is a feel-good factor in the economy. The Taoiseach and the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform have said that the Government will not use the figures presented yesterday for the budgetary forecast and the budget preparations. It is important that we are sensible. We all agree about that the figures need to reflect the real situation rather than a transient or one-off situation. Senator Conway-Walsh also asked yesterday for this issue to be discussed.

Senators Ardagh, Wilson, Reilly, Horkan and Lombard raised the CSO census figures this morning. I congratulate the CSO on its presentation this morning and thank it for the timely publication of the preliminary census figures. The figures show that there are 4,757,976 persons in the country. This is an increase of 3.7% since 2011. Members rightly referred to the boundary commission, which is to be established subsequent to the publication of today's figures. This presents an opportunity for Government to reflect upon the population and public representatives. I hope the boundary review commission will be given sensible terms of reference and that the commission will be equally sensible in the presentation of its findings. Senator Reilly spoke about gerrymandering, which is sometimes the wrong word. What we saw last time with regard to members of the commission was a mismatch of everything. Many in this House were affected but we will not go into that row again. I hope we have a boundary review commission, an increase in the numbers of people in the Dáil and boundaries reflective of communities and county boundaries. I thank Senators Wilson and Reilly for raising the issue of Cavan. As somebody who was affected the last time, I hope the issue of Cork will be addressed as well.

Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
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Once we get Cavan sorted, we will deal with Cork.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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That is for another debate.

Senator Craughwell raised a case, which I will not go into. On foot of the Senator raising the case, my office contacted the Department of Defence. There has been a Commencement Matter debate on the matter. To be fair, the issue is important to the Senator. I think he would agree with me that the Taoiseach or the Minister for Defence does not have control over matters like promotion, hiring and firing within the Defence Forces. Rather than dividing the House, I would be happy to talk to the Senator afterwards about how we can reach some resolution to the impasse.The matter he raises is important. It illustrates the need for transparency in respect of public appointments and the interview process in particular. For all of us who have gone for interview for posts of responsibility and promotion in our jobs, there needs to be a clear marking scheme and a transparent awarding of points in order that we can have confidence in the integrity of the promotion system, whether that is in the Defences Forces, the education sector or even the Houses of the Oireachtas. I would be happy to speak to the Senator about this again afterwards if that is okay with him.

Senator Grace O'Sullivan referred to maritime affairs. Commissioner Vella is involved in drafting the maritime strategy framework and I would be happy to have a debate on that in the autumn because it is important. I compliment the Senator on her performance on the RTE maritime programme recently. It was an enlightening interview.

Senator Humphreys raised the issue of collective Cabinet responsibility and the Taoiseach. I would be happy for the Taoiseach to come to the House but I do not think he will be here before the summer recess. It will not happen next week because his diary and our schedule are pretty full.

Kevin Humphreys (Labour)
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I raised this matter with the Leader two weeks ago.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Senator O'Mahony raised the important issue of water safety and the role of Irish Water Safety. It is important that we send out a message to the effect that it is important that people take care in harbours and on piers during the summer and that those who use our waters do so carefully and are sensible when using equipment. They should not contemplate consuming alcohol and then going on the water in a boat or on a hovercraft or swimming.

Senator Murnane O'Connor raised the issue of protocols in respect of Ministers appearing in the House. I will facilitate any Minister coming to the House at the request of Members but I cannot ask the Minister to do A, B or C. However, I will raise her issue with the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath. She could also intervene with the HSE as well.

Senators Black and Conway-Walsh referred to the presentation by the WALK organisation earlier and the role the latter plays in helping, and working with, people with disabilities. It is an important issue and I am sure we can make representations to the Minister regarding the funding issue raised by both Senators. I pay tribute to the work of the organisation.

Labhair an Seanadóir O'Reilly mar gheall ar chúrsaí samhraidh sa Ghaeilge. Tá na daltaí agus na mic léinn óga atá sa Daingean nó i nDún na nGall inniu ag foghlaim agus ag úsáid na Gaeilge. Tá an ceart ag an Seanadóir go bhfuil sé thar a bheith tábhachtach go bhfuil ár ndúchas á fhorbairt agus á phlé in áiteanna ar nós an Daingean ina bhfuil cúrsaí Gaeilge ar siúl. Tá suim mhór ag an Seanadóir O'Reilly sa Ghaeilge agus sa chultúr. Nuair a bhí mé ag caint leis an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Kyne, dúirt sé liom go bhfuil suim mhór aige teacht isteach sa Teach seo. B'fhéidir go mbeidh sé anseo tar éis an tsamhraidh.

Senator Wilson seconded the amendment to the Order of Business but I hope we can arrive at an accommodation with Senator Craughwell.

Senator Colm Burke raised an issue in respect of a Commencement Matter, which the Cathaoirleach has addressed. However, the Senator made a fundamental point, with which I completely agree, regarding the charity sector and the way in which the committee system is treated. When the Committee of Public Accounts seizes on an issue, every other committee has to stop dealing with it. The Senator is correct that the Joint Committee on Health and Children, of which we were both members during the previous Dáil, had representatives from the HSE before it to discuss section 38 and section 39 organisations. It was the sectoral committee for dealing with such matters. Perhaps there could have been a much better outcome if issues had been left to that committee. It is more disappointing that as part of the quarterly meetings the committee held with the Minister and HSE management, the Senator had tabled a question relevant to the matter he raised earlier and received a substantive reply but it was given in advance of the meeting, deliberately or otherwise, to members of the media, which prevented a proper debate at the committee because the issue was in the public domain. This issue poses a question about the role of sectoral committees. To be fair, the committee system works well. The clerks to committee with whom I have worked are extraordinary people and the commitment of members is equally important. We should examine the issue raised by Senator Colm Burke in the broader context of Oireachtas reform and how sectoral committees do their work.

Senator Feighan pointed out that it is Bastille Day. I wish our French brothers and sisters a happy holiday. He is correct that Euro 2016 was a wonderful experience and I compliment France, as the host nation, and pay tribute to the Irish fans.

I compliment the new British Prime Minister, Theresa May, and I wish her and her cabinet every success. The appointment of Boris Johnson is certainly interesting. As a campaigner for the "Leave" side, he will play a key role in developing relations, not just with Ireland but also with the EU and other countries. It is important that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, who came to the House to debate Brexit, returns in the autumn to discuss how we play our part in the world in the post-Brexit era.

I agree with Senator Gavan, up to a point, with regard to chefs. It is extraordinary that there is a huge skills shortage in the hospitality sector. I am conscious that when I was a Member of the House previously, those of us who opposed the changing of the system in this sector were ridiculed but, unfortunately, we have been proven right. The issues the Senator raised regarding salaries, working conditions and flexibility need to be addressed. I would be happy to include them in a debate on the overarching policy relating to the hospitality and catering sector. It is predominantly young people who work in the sector and they are not prepared to work longer hours for less money when there should be greater flexibility. This relates to Senator Coghlan's point about tourism. We need a hospitality and catering sector that rolls out the red carpet and is welcoming but the men and women who work in it must be respected and valued, particularly in the context of pay and working conditions.

Senator Coghlan also referred to Brexit, to which I have referred, and to Fáilte Ireland and tourism. We should have a debate on tourism, not least because of the matter raised earlier but also because of issues relating to hotel availability in Dublin and the escalating cost of accommodation at a time the Government has reduced the VAT rate for the sector. It is being abused by the Irish Hotels Federation, IHF.

Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
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Hear, hear.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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The IHF has an obligation to reflect on its role in promoting the tourism strategy and attracting tourists to the country.

Senator Reilly referred to the importance of transport. I will happily ask the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Sport to come to the House for a debate.

Senator Horkan made reference to the Central Applications Office and the leaving certificate results. The examination papers are currently being corrected. There are people in rooms across the country busily correcting papers and I wish them well. The future of a generation is in their hands and I hope it goes well for them. However, it is important that, as part of the housing strategy to be unveiled by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government next week, the issue of third level student accommodation be addressed because it is significant for parents in respect of affordability, for students in respect of availability and for communities, which are, in some cases, ravaged by rented houses, with other difficulties associated with that.

Senator O'Donnell referred to the adjournment and rolling over of debates. I will be happy to do whatever the House feels on that. The point the Senator raised is good. Sometimes a debate loses its impetus. I thank Members for yesterday's debate and I reassure them that it is not the Government's intention to stall Senator McDowell's Bill. However, it is important to give Members the opportunity to contribute on Second Stage if they wish. The Government will not oppose this Bill on Seanad reform. It was a good debate yesterday and it is important that Members be given the opportunity to articulate their viewpoint on how Senators are elected.

I ask Senators to withdraw the amendment to the Order of Business. I am happy to work with them to find a resolution.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Craughwell has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That the Minister for Defence, An Taoiseach, attend to House to deal with a matter concerning the Defence Forces." Is the Senator pressing his amendment?

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
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I very much respect the efforts of the Leader to keep the business of the House going and I acknowledge the fact that the Taoiseach cannot be dragged in here at the drop of a hat but this is not about the individual case, it is about the Department's disregard for the ombudsman's role.The Taoiseach chose the Department of Defence to be his Ministry and that is part of the problem. He is so busy these guys are running away with themselves.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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We cannot reopen the debate.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
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I will not press the debate now.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator has an option of raising the matter again. I thank the Senator.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
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I assume the Labour Party will be raising the matter again next week.