Leader’s response on deposits and RTÉ
The Leader says committee channels are appropriate for concerns about RTÉ balance and notes that proposals to reduce first-time buyer deposits are being prepared.
The matter was debated in detail by the committee for 40 minutes.
Senator Paul Coghlan referred to reducing the deposit requirement in the case of first-time buyers to 10%. We hope to have proposals on that matter in the near future. Obviously, a requirement of 20% would be very prohibitive for young people trying to purchase their first homes.
Senators Jim Walsh and Rónán Mullen referred to the statutory obligation on RTE to ensure balanced reporting and debate. Again, I suggest it would be more appropriate to raise this matter with the relevant joint committee before which representatives of the station regularly appear. I am sure the committee could examine it in detail. I agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator Jim Walsh about Mr. Seamus Mallon. I am sure the Senator's party's representative on the Committee on Procedure and Privileges will raise the matter with it.
Senator Ned O'Sullivan referred to the fact that the title of mayor was not being used by certain municipal authorities. Obviously, that matter was dealt with when the House debated the local government legislation. Perhaps we might revisit it.
Senator Feargal Quinn requested a debate on Palestine, Israel and the general situation in the Middle East. As indicated yesterday, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, will be in the House on 26 November when we will be able to engage in a comprehensive debate with him on the matter to which the Senator referred.
The Senator also referred to the long delay in dealing with the Construction Contracts Bill. I understand the Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Gerald Nash, is dealing with the issue. It is to be hoped matters will be expedited and that the Bill will be enacted very soon.
I note the points the Senator made about moving to central European time, a matter he has raised on numerous occasions.
Senator Rónán Mullen requested a debate on energy matters. I will certainly try to make arrangements for such a debate.
I take the opportunity to point out that the debates Members have requested with the Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar; his Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch; the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Heather Humphreys; and the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, will be facilitated in the coming weeks.