In wishing everyone a happy Bloomsday I will begin by quoting James Joyce: "Love loves to love love." I hope that, in keeping with today's theme of the arts, we will continue to promote the arts and culture, not just in this House but also across the country.

I remind members of the Fianna Fáil Party that today also marks the anniversary of Jack Lynch's victory in the 1977 general election. At the risk of sounding a discordant note, perhaps the motor tax policy referred to by Senator Robbie Gallagher had its origins in what happened at that time, when there were cuts in funding. However, I will not go back in history, except to say this is a very important day.

The Senator can go back in time, if he likes.

Senators Catherine Ardagh, Rose Conway-Walsh and Aodhán Ó Ríordáin raised the issue of bin charges, but as Members know, the movement is towards a pay-per-weight system which is being introduced, by regulation, from July. I am surprised that Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin did not remember that it was his party colleague, the former Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, who signed the order which followed the standard of the polluter pays principle. I agree that we should have a debate on waste policy. In that context, Sinn Féin has tabled a Private Members' motion on the issue which will be before the House next week for debate. Oral hearings on the topic of incineration are being conducted in Cork by An Bord Pleanála. Many people are against incineration, but landfill sites are not able to cope with the amounts of refuse being generated. It is important that we educate ourselves and the next generation on the importance of recycling, reducing and reusing waste material. We must reduce the amount of waste going to landfill sites.

If we are to have effective prevention measures, it is important that people be rewarded on the basis of how they treat and dispose of their waste. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Central Statistics Office produced data which showed that 87% of householders would see a reduction in their charges, that 8.5% would see no change and that a small number would see an increase. I am pleased that the Minister is meeting the bin companies. Senators Rose Conway-Walsh and Catherine Ardagh are correct - people should not have to pay more. Private operators should not exploit their customers. One of the major tragedies in the elimination of municipal waste collection services was that the waiver system in many coastal areas was removed. It is important that we be proactive. To that end, the Minister is working with the bin companies which should not be exploitative but which should instead work with their customers to ensure proper charges are applied. We will take up the issue. As I said, awareness and the segregation of waste are important. We should continue along that route.

I refer to the motion in the name of Senator Rose Conroy-Walsh. As I explained at a meeting earlier, there are a number of discrepancies in it. Therefore, as Leader of the House, I cannot allow it because it would have implications for the Cathaoirleach and the House. It is not in keeping with Standing Orders.

Based on the remarks made in the House yesterday, I look forward to the Twenty-fifth Seanad bringing about change in how it works and does its business in terms of how it is perceived across the country by the Fourth Estate, citizens and constituent members. I am not afraid to examine the electoral system or the internal workings of the Seanad, but let us do so in the context of what is best for democracy and representation in the country. Let us put aside our vested interests and put the country and the people first in the reform of the Upper House, of which we are the current occupants. A generation has gone before us and another will come after us. It behoves us, therefore, to do the right thing and I hope we will all do so because it is important that we continue to be representatives of whoever put us here.

I agree with Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile on North-South relations. It is incumbent on us to carry on the work of the last Seanad and the work done by many of us in committees in working with our partners from the Northern Ireland Assembly. We are living on the one island and must work together to ensure the Good Friday Agreement will be implemented and the quality and standard of life of all citizens, whether Catholic or Protestant, will be espoused and advanced. That is our duty. To be fair, the Orange Order visited the previous Seanad. That is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges in the context of Senator Pádraig Ó Céidigh's request that the Minister for Finance in Northern Ireland be invited to come to the House. It is important that we continue to build bridges and relationships. As Leader of the House, I look forward to doing so. In that regard, Senators will find no obstacle placed by me. The record shows that while I was Chairman of the Joint Committee on Health and Children, committee members visited the Assembly in Belfast, while a reciprocal visit was made to Dublin. It is important that we continue that process.

Senators Alice-Mary Higgins, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and Marie-Louise O'Donnell referred to the arts. I note the passion of Members of the House for the arts and, in particular, the eloquence of Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell. I am pleased that she is spokesperson on the arts because she brings to the Seanad not just knowledge but also a passion for, interest in and experience and wisdom of the arts. I assure Members that the Government is committed to the arts, for which the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, retains full responsibility. There has been no dilution of roles; the buck stops with her, as can be seen in the programme of work of the Government, as part of which she is committed to producing the first ever national policy on culture, with a view to its publication in in the next couple of years. Culture 2025 is the plan to which she is committed. Having said that, the Government as a whole is committed to the promotion of the arts, culture and heritage, of which there will be no downgrading by it. Significant funding was provided for the arts at a time when the country had no money. I remind Members that €30 million was provided for the National Gallery of Ireland, €8 million for a new expansion project at the National Archives of Ireland and €10 million for the renovation of the National Library of Ireland at a time when the country was bereft of money. That was the legacy of the previous Government which will be continued by the Government. Let us ensure we continue that policy to keep the arts at the forefront of everything we do.

I join other Members in offering sympathy to the family and colleagues of the nurse who died in Crumlin. It was a tragedy, but we must await the results of the post-mortem. It is important, however, that we acknowledge that a human life has been lost and that people are mourning today. On behalf of the Government and Members, I sympathise with the family and staff affected.

Senator Gerard P. Craughwell referred to the motion in his name on the terms and conditions of councillors. Yesterday Senator Paddy Burke tabled a Commencement matter to the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Leo Varadkar, on class K PRSI contributions. As I said yesterday, it is important that we speak with a unified voice on the terms and conditions of councillors. We should not bat as individuals in trying to score political points. Ní neart go cur le chéile. If we stand together as members of a body elected by councillors, we can effect change, but if we go off on divergent paths, we will all end up on the road less travelled and not achieve the result we all want to achieve. Senator Gerard P. Craughwell can move his motion during Private Members' time. The Government will be happy to work with him on it and I will happy to talk to him about it. I am not saying he is trying to scoring political points, but we must work together on the issue.

Senators John O'Mahony and Frances Black referred to the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015 which had reached Committee Stage in the previous Seanad and which I am pleased to say was restored to the Order Paper yesterday. The Government is committed to taking it at the earliest possible opportunity. A large amount of work has been done on it. I refer Senators to the work done by the Joint Committee on Health and Children which engaged in strong pre-legislative scrutiny of the issue. I compliment Senator James Reilly and the former Minister Alex White on the work they did in progressing the Bill, without which it would not be on the Order Paper. We need to address the issue because alcohol misuse is costing the nation dearly in terms of its effect on people lives and the qualify of life of families and the number of working hours lost. Too many homes are affected by the blight of alcohol.

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins referred to the Department of Arts, Heritage, the Gaeltacht and the Islands. We will return to that issue.

Senator Gerry Horkan, among others, referred to the anniversary of the deaths of the young people who died in Berkeley. It is important that we remember them. Young men and women are on flights across the Atlantic heading off to enjoy a new summer experience. I spent a summer in America on a J1 visa. It is important that we provide young people with such opportunities. I welcome Mr. Brian O'Dwyer and Mr. Mike Carroll from New York. They were most helpful in working with Irish-Americans and providing jobs. To that end, Irish community centres and members of the diaspora in the four corners of America have helped many young people. As Senator Paudie Coffey said, it is important that we remember the young men and women who died in Berkeley. I thank him for raising the issue.

Senator David Norris referred to what was happening in the inner city of Dublin. I do not want to cause a political row by going into the issue, but I do not think it was the late Tony Gregory who formed the Criminal Assets Bureau. However, Senator David Norris is correct in that the inner city of Dublin requires regeneration, to which the Government is committed. The Taoiseach and Ministers visited the area this week and it was not, as some people said, a circus; rather, they went to listen and continue the work being done. I have worked in deprived areas. It is important that the arms of the State reach into such areas and work in a cross-departmental way to help the people living in them.

Senator Billy Lawless referred to a letter he had received from President Obama who I am sure he will be able to persuade to speak in the Seanad at a later date. That would be a nice gesture. It is good that he is a Member of the House and it is important that the President has acknowledged his role. He is not a token Member. He has a valid mandate to represent the diaspora. I look forward to working with him in that regard.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh also referred to the J1 visa programme. I would be happy for the Minister of State, Deputy Joe McHugh, to come to the House to discuss the issue of voting rights for the diaspora. It is important that we reach beyond our shores and acknowledge that the diaspora has an important role to play.

As Senator Paudie Coffey correctly said yesterday, there is a skills shortage in some areas. Therefore, because of the shortages, the Minister responsible is right to single out certain professions or appeal to people with particular skill sets.

I have referred to the contribution made by Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin.

Senator Neale Richmond's comment on a unified North-South soccer team was interesting. I am not sure how the Football Association of Ireland and the Irish Football Association would feel about it, but perhaps it is something we should consider. The Senator might suggest the issue is one that could be discussed by the committee with responsibility for matters to do with sport. We all join in wishing every success to the Northern Ireland soccer team tonight and the Republic of Ireland at the weekend. It is important that we continue to build on what has been achieved and that Irish soccer fans continue to show the importance of being good ambassadors for the country. We have seen videos on social media showing the fun Irish soccer fans are having, but I sound a note of caution and ask all Irish supporters to be careful and take their time and not to travel off the beaten track. A consular service is available, should they need to avail of it. In case anyone gets into trouble, they should add the contact number in their mobile phone or put it in their wallet because for whatever reason people can get lost. It is important that Irish supporters continue to have a good record. It would be a shame if their good spirit and the manner in which they are viewed across France were to be damaged.

Senator Victor Boyhan mentioned the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire. He is correct in saying it is a very important facility and the men and women who work in it do a tremendous job. It is long overdue an overhaul. I will ask the Minister for Health to come to the House to comment on the issue. As a short-term measure, perhaps the Senator might consider tabling it for discussion in the Commencement debate. He is correct that it is one we must put on the radar.

I spoke about Senator Frances Black's contribution.

Senator Colm Burke referred to the HSE and the Department of Health. He is correct in saying that if we were engaged in new politics, the HSE and the Department would be involved in new business measures and operate differently. The Minister for Health is to be congratulated on initiating his ten-year strategy, but it should include all stakeholders, including those suggested by the Senator. It would be similar to the concept of social partnership, which did not include a political element. In that context, I welcome the creation of a Dáil policy committee to consider a ten-year health strategy. I hope, however, that the Minister will expand the committee to include Members of the Seanad who could play a constructive role in health policy formulation. The committee the Minister has established is a good one, but he should go further and model it on the social partnership system.

I referred to Senator Pádraig Ó Céidigh's remarks about small business and the Minister for Finance in Northern Ireland. It is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. As Leader of the House, I would have no problem if the Senator, as well as Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile, wrote to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges about it.

I congratulate Senator Ray Butler on making his maiden speech. I welcome him to the House and compliment him on the work he has done to promote the needs of the self-employed, an issue on which he has always been very vocal. I look forward to bringing the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Leo Varadkar, to the House to discuss it. The Senator is correct in saying there is a deficit when it comes to the self-employed. I hope the Mangan report will be the starting point in making improvements in that regard.

I have mentioned Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell's reference to the arts.

Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile referred to the events that had occurred at Loughinisland. I would be happy if the relevant Minister came to the House to discuss the issue. I will try to facilitate the Senator's request in that regard.

Senator Robbie Gallagher is correct in saying roads are important. Now that we are in a period of economic recovery, it is important that we invest in upgrading regional and national roads, in particular. I will follow the Senator's suggestion that the Minister responsible be invited to come to the House to discuss the issue.

Senator Kieran O'Donnell is correct about road signs. Those of us who travel throughout the country are aware that road signs can be misleading and also dangerous in many parts of it. A plethora of commercial signs are now beginning to get in the way also. This is a matter we should discuss with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the relevant Department and local councils. I will certainly arrange to have the Minister responsible come to the House to discuss it.

Senators Ned O'Sullivan and Martin Conway raised the issue of mobile phone coverage. It is worrying that the quality of the signal is decreasing in some areas. I cite the Cork to Dublin road as an example. I can pinpoint three or four locations where coverage disappears automatically. It is an important issue. As Senator Michelle Mulherin said to me, from an economic point of view, it is one we must address because if investors consider mobile phone coverage is not good enough or that it is poor and patchy, they might think twice about investing here.

Senator Paudie Coffey mentioned the diaspora and Irish-American centres. He is correct in saying we should discuss them.

Senator Diarmuid Wilson referred to education issues. I am a former director of an adult education service and believe adult and continuing education are very important. I will invite the Minister for Education and Skills to come to the House to discuss the issue.

Senator Martin Conway's Bill on SIM cards is one we should accept and embrace as it relates to the issues of data protection and safety.