Order of Business amendment
The Leader accepts Senator O’Brien’s amendment to take the Taiwan-related motion without debate before the scheduled business and indicates that several issues raised will receive ministerial attention or future debates; the amendment is formally agreed.
Senator Darragh O'Brien has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business which I will agree to take without debate. He also raised the issue of replacement medals. I will certainly take up the matter with the Minister for Defence. It has not been the practice to replace medals, but I will certainly bring the matter to the attention of the Minister.
Senator Darragh O'Brien called for a debate on policing and the issue of Garda resources. I will certainly try to arrange such a debate with the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, early in the new session. As the Senator rightly pointed out, more and more recruits are coming onstream and more divisions throughout the country are receiving extra gardaí. We are coming from a very low base of approximately 12,000. I hope the strength of the Garda will return to the level it was at a number of years ago.
Senators Ivana Bacik and Michael Mullins spoke about the suicide bomb attack in Turkey and the threat posed by ISIS and other terrorist groups and called for a debate in the new session. Senator Ivana Bacik also welcomed the Government agreement under which the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade will accept 600 migrants. This will be welcomed by all right-thinking people in the country. The Senator also welcomed the Bill on victims' rights.
Senators Ivana Bacik and Denis Landy, among others, referred to the minimum wage, a matter about which I am sure we will hear more in the budget in October.
Senator Sean D. Barrett welcomed the national economic dialogue and stressed the importance of family income supplement, something which is not mentioned on many occasions. He also welcomed the renewal of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba. On this matter, Senator Terry Leyden outlined the difficulties surrounding the appointment of the Cuban ambassador to the United States.
Senator Terry Brennan referred to the unprovoked attack on a tourist. Such attacks certainly send the wrong message to potential tourists. This is seen as a welcoming country, but, unfortunately, such incidents happen. They are not too frequent and let us hope we can eliminate them totally.
Senator Terry Leyden asked where the Seanad would meet. As the Cathaoirleach mentioned, this is a matter for the OPW. It has been discussed by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and when we have deliberated on it, we will report back to the House. I have no intention of moving and do not believe there will be any intention to move to Farmleigh. The last thing people want is a flood of cars, be they State cars or others, to Farmleigh. They did not welcome it in the past and would not welcome it now.
Senators David Cullinane and Tony Mulcahy raised the issue that was raised yesterday by Senators Michael Mullins and Mary Moran of the provision of support for people with disabilities and assisting the most deserving and in need. We would all like to see this issue addressed in the budget. Senator Tony Mulcahy spoke from personal knowledge, as did Senator Mary Moran yesterday. We all appreciate where they are coming from.
Senator Colm Burke spoke about the role of access officers in local authorities. I do not understand the case about which he spoke. It is absolutely disgraceful that such a person should have to wait seven years to have a house upgraded. Local authorities have been given quite an amount of finance to attend to these issues. I am not aware of the full circumstances of the case, but I cannot understand a seven year wait to have such work carried out. It is totally incomprehensible.
Senator Denis O'Donovan highlighted the need for water safety during the summer and asked Irish Water Safety to redouble its efforts. I am aware that it does an excellent job. I know that many people are involved and I am sure they will do everything possible in that regard. As public representatives, with the Senator, we should highlight the need for people to take great care when entering the water. The Senator agreed with the Taoiseach that the Government should complete its full term and I agree with him. It is what will happen.
Comment on this
Is that meant to provide reassurance?
Comment on this
I cannot assure the Senator. Only one man can do so.
Senator Aideen Hayden spoke about the leaving certificate results, student grants and the HEA's report on the issue of student accommodation. I agree that we should debate the report and the issues of student accommodation and student grants. I will ask the Minister for Education and Skills to come to the House for a debate early in the new session.
Senator Gerard P. Craughwell referred to the pay and conditions of councillors. LAMA and the AILG requested the political parties to arrange a meeting with the Ministers involved, Deputies Alan Kelly and Kevin Humphreys. All political parties, including Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Sinn Féin and the Labour Party, arranged the meeting. It was quite productive, but we must wait and see what will come from it. All of the issues mentioned by Senator Gerard P. Craughwell were raised with the Ministers. In the case of PRSI, there are 25,000 others in the same category; it is not just a matter, therefore, of dealing with councillors, as others would also have to be dealt with. I have no problem in having an open debate, but when the Senator was president of the TUI, were the negotiations in which he was involved ever held in public? Did he ever have an open debate?
Comment on this
Most of the debates were held directly with the Department and officials.
There is a way of negotiating and doing so in public is not the right approach. Councillors have nothing to hide and are treated appallingly. I hope we will see action being taken by the Minister and the Minister of State in this regard. Recent circulars issued by the Department on attendance at conferences should be withdrawn. I have asked for this to happen, but there is no sign of it happening as yet.
Like Senator Ivana Bacik, Senator Michael Mullins called for a debate when we return after the summer recess on terrorist attacks and the situation on the Turkish-Syrian border.
Like Senator Martin Conway, Senator Michael Mullins also mentioned National Farm Safety Awareness Day. The Irish Farmers Association has issued a risk assessment planner. I have seen it and it is excellent. Last week the House held a good debate with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, on the report of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee on farm safety. There is a need for greater vigilance by farm families, as too many people are killed in farm accidents. As last year was particularly bad, let us all be vigilant. I compliment the IFA on organising National Farm Safety Awareness Day.
Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill called for pre-budget debates. Yesterday I mentioned that I would ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, to attend such debates in the House. It had been suggested by another Senator that the Minister would be prepared to do so. We will put that to the test.
Senator Paul Coghlan raised the issue of gorse fires and the need for common sense in that regard. It is a serious issue. There are many gorse fires throughout the country, some of which get out of control. All agencies must become involved if they are to be controlled.
I join other Senators in wishing all Members a good summer break. I thank the Cathaoirleach, the staff of the Seanad, the ushers and all other staff of the Houses for their help and courtesy at all times. Please God, we will be back suitably refreshed in September.
