Climate change and earlier issues
A brief interjection led the Leader to say Ministers should come to discuss climate change. He then returned to earlier topics, confirming support for debates on Aleppo and on the Land and Conveyancing Act.
Senators Ray Butler and Frank Feighan referred to the situation in Aleppo. I will be happy to have the relevant Minister come to the House to discuss the matter. It is important that we put pressure on Russia and the United States to find a solution and that we see both powers not scoring political points because people are being killed, while the survivors have nothing to look forward to. Senator David Norris also spoke about the matter.
Senator Keith Swanick raised the important issue of tooth decay and the provision of dental treatment for the youth. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Leo Varadkar, has provided €2.5 million to fund the restoration of dental and optical treatment benefits. The Irish Dental Association has been raising the issue for some time. Its fine chief executive officer is Mr. Fintan Hourihan. It was a Fianna Fáil Minister, former Deputy Mary Hanafin, who cut the benefit and it is right to restore it. Potential future problems must be tackled now. I agree with the Senator with whom I will be happy to work on the issue.
Senator Victor Boyhan mentioned harbours and ports which are a critical part of our infrastructure. The Port of Cork is a very important gateway to the city and the rest of Munster.
Senator Tim Lombard raised the contentious issue of the merger of the two local authorities in Cork. I welcome the appointment by the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Simon Coveney, of a review group to consider the report mentioned. I am not so sure the Senator is correct in his call for a plebiscite, on which I respectfully disagree with him.
Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile referred to the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in the context of Irish Sign Language. Beidh an tAire Stáit, an Teachta Séan Kyne, istigh sa Teach go luath i Mí na Samhna. The Minister has increased the budget for Gaeltacht support schemes by €440,000; there has been an improvement to the tune of €250,000 in the allocation for the Irish language support scheme; an extra €250,000 has been allocated for the 20-year Irish language strategy, while there has been an increase in the budget of An Coimisinéir Teanga. There has also been an increase of €1 million in funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta, while there is €9.275 million to assist the islands and €13.29 million for the agencies within the remit of An Coimisinéir Teanga. Like all Members, the Minister is committed to the promotion of the Irish language. As I have said before, my biggest regret is that, having taken honours Irish in the leaving certificate examinations, I do not have the gift of comhrá, although I do try.
Comment on this
Senators Michelle Mulherin and Colm Burke replied to Senator David Norris's remarks. I will be happy to arrange a discussion on the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2013 with the relevant Minister.
