I join other Members of the House in sending birthday wishes to Senator Lynn Ruane today. We wish her well.

I welcome to the Seanad Chamber my friend Mr. Pavlock from Philadelphia. He is a welcome guest.

I thank the 19 Members who raised many issues. I will begin with Senator Colm Burke's remarks about the future health strategy and do so in a spirit of co-operation and cross-party consensus. It is not good enough that the leaders of Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are opposing the appointment or nomination of Members of this House to the Committee on the Future of Healthcare. It means that we are not good enough and do not have expertise. In the context of its retention, they are doing a bad job in promoting the Seanad. I appeal to both of them to go back to their parties. It is wrong, not good politics and sends the wrong message. To be fair to Senator Mark Daly, he was not party to the decision of his party and I am sure the Sinn Féin Whip, Senator Paul Gavan, and the party's health spokesperson, Senator Máire Devine, are not complicit in it, but it is absolutely appalling that Seanad Members are not being supported in serving on a committee that will set the health policy of the nation for the next decade and beyond. It is unacceptable and the two party leaders are speaking out of both sides of their mouths. If they want reform, political correctness and new politics, all of us should be included. Senators Mark Daly and Paul Gavan should go back to their parties and make a stand because it is not good enough. I intend to raise the issue at the next meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges in the next few weeks.

Senator Mark Daly raised the issue of neutrality and referred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. I did not think our position on neutrality had changed, but the Senator made a good point. The document to which he referred is a statement of strategy which outlines the goals and objectives the Department intends to pursue to promote the State and the values of the people, while advancing our prosperity abroad. I assume the value to which he was referring was neutrality and hope our position on it will not change. We should come back to this issue at a later date. I very much support his call in that regard.

On Brexit and job creation, I mentioned yesterday that the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Dara Murphy, had been travelling throughout the eurozone to highlight Ireland's importance and try to attract companies to locate here. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation secured additional resources in the budget for her Department. This funding will provide for the recruitment of an additional 50 staff in the Department and its agencies who will be specifically tasked with assisting companies in adjusting to the challenges to be faced in the post-Brexit era. It will equally help to secure new business and innovation opportunities and diversification into new markets. The Government is prepared and working on this issue. If the Senator has ideas in that regard, I will be happy to convey them to the Minister, but he is correct to raise the issue.

Senator Gerard P. Craughwell raised the issue of industrial relations. We are in uncharted waters post the recession. Expectations are growing and people want more money in their pockets, but, at the same time, the Government parties have a limited amount to spend. On one level, we want increased public services and increases in take home pay, but the Government must balance the books not only in fiscal terms but also to ensure there will be the mix right between public expenditure and service provision. It is important as Members that we invite members of the GRA, the AGSI and the ASTI to engage in meaningful talks on the issues they have. This will not be done through megaphone diplomacy on the airwaves through the broadcasters. It is important that union representatives sit down with officials from the Departments of Justice and Equality, Public Expenditure and Reform and Education and Skills and the respective Ministers to reach a resolution. The Lansdowne Road agreement, to which Deputy Brendan Howlin and Senator Kevin Humphreys were party, is the framework within which pay restoration for public servants can be delivered and managed. We all recognise the fundamental difficulties gardaí encounter in doing their jobs and understand the importance of education. I, therefore, appeal to all sides to engage in talks.

Senator Paul Gavan referred to Shannon Airport yet again. As he knows quite well, as a neutral country Ireland is not prevented from allowing military aircraft to land or overfly. There is a UN resolution in that regard. Post-9/11, the Government of the day took a decision, in conjunction with the UN Security Council, to allow the use of Shannon Airport, but I will be happy to have a debate on the issue, on which our position has not changed. Perhaps the Senator sometimes comes into the House to try to gain headlines with some of his comments on Shannon Airport.

It is the truth.

If he was to talk to people on the ground, he would get a different perspective.

I live there.

I will be happy to invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to come to the House for a debate on the issue.

Senators Lynn Ruane, Fintan Warfield and Joe O'Reilly referred to education. The Cassells report has been published and there are different viewpoints expressed in it. What we all aspire to and what we all want to achieve is ensuring people have access to affordable education. The rainbow coalition Government introduced free third level fees, the cost of which measure has increased exponentially during the years. I am not sure about the remarks made by the Minister of State, Deputy Dara Murphy, but I think he was referring to the international European school and attracting foreign direct investment into the country post-Brexit.

Senators Kevin Humphreys and Victor Boyhan mentioned International Credit Union Day. I join them in congratulating the members of the credit union movement on the work they do. I am a former supervisor in my credit union in Bishopstown and aware that it plays an important role in people's lives.

The concept of collective Cabinet responsibility has not changed. I agree that when the Cabinet makes a decision, it is a collective decision and that, therefore, all members of the Cabinet are bound by it, unless they choose to resign.

As regards the eighth amendment, the Citizens' Assembly has been set up and it behoves Oireachtas Members and Ministers to stand by it and allow it to do its work. Another motion in this House or the Dáil on the amendment would be unhelpful and only serve to create political controversy. There is a process in place and it should be allowed to proceed in order that all options can be explored. The assembly can come back to the Government with a plan of action. The Government will then refer it to a committee before the people ultimately decide. That is what should happen.

Senator Maria Byrne raised the issue of Garda vetting and referred to the industrial dispute. I will ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to the House for a debate on the issue.

Senator Aidan Davitt called on the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to come to the House to discuss the housing issue. When the Finance Bill is brought before the House in the next few weeks, it will present Members with an opportunity to discuss the issue. It is important that the supply of housing increase in order that first-time buyers can buy houses.

Senator Joe O'Reilly referred to early school leavers. It is an important issue which the former Ministers of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputies Sean Sherlock and Damien English, and the Minister of State, Deputy John Halligan, have begun the process of addressing it through the apprenticeship programme.

I thank Senator Máire Devine for referring to the important work One in Four is doing. She is correct that the protection of children is important. That is why we had a children's rights referendum and the first Minister for Children and Youth Affairs was appointed to the Cabinet. As we need to be proactive, I will be happy to have a debate on the issue with the Minister.

Senator Maura Hopkins raised the issue of mental health. The Minister of State with responsibility for mental health issues, Deputy Helen McEntee, is happy to come to the House to discuss it.

Senator Robbie Gallagher asked about the minor works scheme. The Minister for Education and Skills announced in the budget debate that further projects to be undertaken under the summer works scheme would be announced early in 2017. The details will be outlined at that time.

I commend Senator Ivana Bacik for the motion she has tabled on the conflict in Syria and the work she had done in that regard. It is an all-party motion on which I will be happy to work with her.

Yesterday Senator Colette Kelleher referred to vulnerable child refugees. The Minister for Justice and Equality will come to the House to discuss the issue.

Senator Gabrielle McFadden raised the important issue of housing for ex-servicemen and women. I will be happy to invite the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to come to the House to discuss it.

Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill raised the issue of regional and rural development. The Minister for the Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs will be in the House on 17 November for a debate on it.

Senators Frank Feighan and Kevin Humphreys mentioned Airbnb. The Government reduced the VAT rate for the hospitality sector, but hotels are raising prices and forcing people to pay exorbitant fees for rooms. That is not in the spirit of what the Government intended. The reduction in the VAT rate was designed to attract visitors and mobilise local economies. I again appeal to hoteliers to reconsider their prices.

Senator Ray Butler referred to the retail sector in rural Ireland. The matter can be raised with the Minister for the Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs or the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when they visit the House. The Senator is correct that the level of parking fees is an issue and that we must get the balance right.