I welcome Senator Buttimer's father, Ms Kay Redmond and Ms Helen Duignan to the Visitors Gallery. It is nice for the Leader that his father, who gave a lot of service to the co-operative foundation, is here today. I also acknowledge the presence of the Lord Mayors of various counties, including my neighbour, the newly elected mayor of Cork County, Declan Hurley, and Councillor Sheehan from Kerry, whose brother was a former Member of the Seanad.

I cannot see all of the faces. I think that the Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Fitzgerald, was welcomed earlier. I apologise if I have forgotten anyone but my sight is failing. I welcome everyone to the Chamber and call on the Leader to respond.

I join with the Cathaoirleach in welcoming our distinguished visitors. They include the Lord Mayor of Cork, the mayor of Cork County and the mayors of all of the counties. I can see Councillor Phyll Bugler is present as well. I welcome them all. I must be careful with the Order of Business as I am being watched by our visitors.

I thank all of the members of the House for their contributions. Today is a very important day in the context of our country.

I urge the Leader to be a little more restrained.

I shall do my best. Today the summer economic statement will be published and it will show the Government's intent for capital infrastructure and investment. We will debate the summer economic statement in the House next week. As I said yesterday, all Members will have an opportunity for their proposals to be scrutinised next week. I look forward to the Sinn Féin Party revealing its high tax and high spend policies and we can hold them to account.

Senator Ardagh made reference to family hubs. The former Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, announced the unveiling of the family hub concept. It is a good idea in principle. As Senator Ó Ríordáin mentioned, none of us wants family hubs to become a long-term solution. The Government seeks to provide a wraparound support service to people and families. As many as 18 hubs will be located around the city of Dublin. They are being unveiled and announced as we speak and will cater for 634 families.

Ms Emily Logan is the chief commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and we should reflect on the comments that she made this morning. The opinion outlined by Senator Ó Clochartaigh and others stems from two academics. It is their opinion and they are entitled to their opinion. Other people hold a different viewpoint about the model of government in terms of the provision of social housing.

That is why we want a debate.

We will have the debate. One of the first acts by the new Taoiseach has been to ask the new Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, to review the action plan called Rebuilding Ireland. What gets lost in translation is that the Government aims to have created more social housing and have an investment plan for the Rebuilding Ireland action plan by 2021. This is the only Government to provide multiannual funding for social housing under the heading of Rebuilding Ireland. Never once has Sinn Féin welcomed that fact.

How has the plan gone this year? How many social housing units have been built this year?

Never once has Sinn Féin said that the Government has put money into social housing.

How far off target is the Government?

The Leader has no facts to back him up.

Never once has Sinn Féin said that the Government has put money into social housing.

How far off target is the plan this year?

Let me give Sinn Féin some good news that the Senators can convey to their constituents in the party's next newsletter.

In terms of planning permission, as many as 16,375 new homes were granted in 12 months at the end of last year, which is an increase of 26%. In terms of commencement notices, as many as 14,192 notices for new homes nationwide were submitted up to March of this year, which is a 38% increase. House incompletions, as measured by the ESB and not the Government, showed that there were 15,684 homes across the country, which is a 20% increase on last year.

That is a discredited measure.

It was discredited. We need more space.

I urge the Senators to listen to my good news. They may not like to hear it but do not tell us that the Government has done nothing. The last Government and this Government were committed and are committed to ensuring that we build and create more houses for people. Let me outline one fact.

That is why we have housing hubs.

It is the Government's housing crisis.

I urge the Senators to listen to my good news, I know it is hard to take at times.

I ask Senators to please respect and address remarks through the Chair.

The Government has committed to invest €5.35 billion to deliver 47,000 new homes by the end of 2021.

Where are they?

Judge us on our record when we reach 2021.

The record is bad.

How many houses have been built this year?

Senator Ardagh mentioned the budget. It is important that the task that to which we are committed in government is to ensure that we have a fair and just society. That is why we will see and have seen an increase in-----

Inequality.

-----the number of people in work. Again, it is good news that Sinn Féin does not want to hear. A reduction in income tax will take place, the USC will be cut and the minimum wage will be increased.

By 10 cent.

Wow, 10 cent.

We will maintain core social welfare payments. The party opposite cut them but we have not.

The 10 cent Government.

Judge us on our record.

How many other payments were cut?

Senators Boyhan and Coghlan referred to a judicial council. I join with them in congratulating and thanking Mrs. Justice Susan Denham on her tenure as Chief Justice.

The Government has published the heads of the judicial council Bill that Senator Boyhan raised. I agree with the Chair of the Bar Council that the Judiciary must maintain high standards. There is also a need to see independence between the Government, the Executive and the Judiciary. I hope that will form part of the discussion on the Bill proposed by the Minister for Justice and Equality on the appointment of judges and the judicial council Bill.

The legislation should be known as Minister Ross's Bill.

No. Deputy Ross is the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

The Minister should stick to his own Department.

The Senator must be fair and accept that the Minister has done a good job.

I do not accept that.

I presume the Bill will be published in the autumn. We will debate the legislation here in this House. We all accept that there is need for a debate.

Senator Coghlan mentioned the appointment of the Chief Justice. I agree with him that the establishment of a three person judicial council is a good concept. We look forward to the results coming back.

Senators Craughwell, Feighan, Conway-Walsh, Norris, Ó Ríordáin and Ó Donnghaile made reference to the celebrations of 12 July in the North and the bonfires. None of us, as Members of this House, will join in any way in approving the burning of emblems of the national flag or effigies or posters of politicians. We all work to serve our communities and people. The burning of flags, etc. has no place in politics whether it is in the North or South of the island. That applies to all members on all sides of the political divide in this country. Today is a day of celebration for the Protestant community. We are an island of different traditions and cultures and I believe that we all share an aspiration for a united Ireland. I hope that there will be a sense of calm today in the North and that common sense will prevail. I discussed this matter in the House yesterday.

Senator Craughwell referenced the interview by Mr. Michael Hayes on the Birmingham pub bombing. I think Mr. Hayes has a duty to present himself to the police or the Garda if he has information or was party to that hideous crime. I listened to the families of the victims of the Birmingham bombing speak on radio and television during the week. The coverage reminded us all about the distress and turmoil in their lives. As Senator Craughwell rightly said, six people were wrongly imprisoned for the crime and they will never get their time back again. The Senator was right to highlight that fact.

I join with Senator Conway-Walsh in congratulating Ms Aoibhe Carrabine on her successful achievement in the European Women's Youth and Junior Boxing Championships. I welcome and congratulate all of the winners. The Senator mentioned Geesala, which is also the home of Henry Coyle. Geesala is a great sporting area in County Mayo.

I am happy to accept Senator Kelleher's proposal to amend the Order of Business.

Senator Bacik mentioned a Private Members' Bill, which will be debated in the House tonight.

Senators Bacik and Feighan made reference to what the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sports said about the Olympics. I shall not get into a debate about the merits of joining the Commonwealth Games. We can debate the concept of hosting the Commonwealth Games in Ireland on another occasion.

The Seanad will meet next week to debate the summer economic statement. It will afford Senators an opportunity to express their views of the statement.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan highlighted the importance of seaside and coastal communities and he was right to do so. A huge amount of work has been done by county councils, in particular, to maintain, prepare and provide ancillary services for coastal communities. Recently the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Humphreys, announced that €20 million would be provided for rural Ireland. There is merit in what the Senator has suggested should happen in our seaside and coastal communities. I suggest we invite the new Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Griffin, to the House to debate the matter in the autumn.

I wish to give Members notice that it is my intention next week to focus on legislation predominantly, because there is a raft of legislation that we have to get through before the summer recess. If members would indulge me in that, we will try to endeavour to have much of that done in order that we can ensure that we can come back-----

Better late than never.

It is new politics. We see a new alliance between the Labour Party and the Green Party over plastic cups. Great things are happening.

Senator Maria Byrne made reference to Limerick Institute of Technology and commented on the planning.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh made reference to housing as well. It is my intention that the the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Murphy, will come to the House in the autumn. I spoke to him yesterday. He is committed to coming in to us. A fire happened in a house yesterday. We have had an awful tragedy again in this country. It is important given the issue of Grenfell Tower that buildings standards are not left to fall away. I am glad the Minister will be able to come to the House in the autumn for that debate. Senator Black also made reference to housing.

Senator Lombard spoke about the review of the EU nitrates directive. This is an important review taking place at the moment. This afternoon the IFA is having a briefing for Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas. It is important that the nitrates directive review can help to get the Government, through the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, to place our agriculture community on a sustainable growth path. It is important to look at the way in which we need to arrest the decline in our soil fertility. The agri community has a major export business worth €11 billion to our country in net value, not to mention the amount of jobs being created. Senator Lombard rightly made reference to derogations around the issue of the dairy and livestock farming communities. It is important that the Minister, Deputy Creed, would come to the House to have a discussion as part of the review. I would be happy to invite him for that as well.

I am not familiar with the issue Senator Ó Ríordáin raised relating to the court ruling on legislation and the anomaly in the road traffic legislation. However, when I go back to my office either Orla in my office or I will check with the Attorney General's office whether there is an anomaly that needs to be rectified as a matter of importance.

Senator Swanick raised the issue of home care packages. I was amused at Senator Swanick. He mentioned 2010. As Senator Wilson and everyone will know well, it was the Government he was part of that cut all the aging supports for people. This Government is beginning to re-invest in our elderly, in elder care and in home care packages. I accept there are issues around the provision and that more needs to be done. To be fair to Senator Swanick, he has been very much involved in his local community.

Ten plus what?

It was 2010, yes.

Ten plus what is 17?

If Senator Wilson wants to start at 2008, we can do that.

It was seven years. What has the Government done in seven years?

I remind Senator Wilson-----

Here comes the history lesson. Fine Gael took the shilling off the old age pension? Does he remember that? That was Mr. Blythe I think.

If Senators want to have a history lesson, I would be happy to go back to 2007.

It is a mathematical lesson that Senator Buttimer needs.

I know it is embarrassing for both the Senators, because they were part of a Government that did that and wrecked the country.

Senator Buttimer should try looking in the mirror. That is an embarrassment.

The important point is that the new Government economic policy is about creating a fairer and just society. This will allow us to invest in home care packages, keep people at home longer and living longer. We want to invest in more sustainable lives and keep people rooted in their communities. I accept the concept of what Senator Swanick was saying. However, we have increased the respite care allocation.

It was cut by five hours in Galway.

We have increased home care packages.

Fine Gael cut the home care in Galway.

I will get the Senator the figure if he wants it afterwards.

I will send Senator Buttimer the one with the cuts-----

Senator Gavan raised the important issue of migration and migrant workers, in particular the issue of Qatar and Saudi Arabia. I share the concern of Senator Gavan. It is a source not only of worry but of absolute angst that people are being refused exit in situations. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, is in the Middle East at the moment. I would be happy to have him come to the House. Also, I would be happy to have him-----

Deputy Buttimer would be happy to have him stay there.

I would be happy to have him take up the matter.

Senator O'Sullivan will be glad to hear that, home and away, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and I work very well. I would prefer to stay at home, as Senator O'Sullivan can imagine.

Senator Norris raised the issue of the Corrib gas field and the Royal Dutch Shell sale. That is a matter for other parts of the world, but not for me.

Senator Kieran O'Donnell raised the issue of the M20 Cork to Limerick motorway and the publication of the Indecon study by the Limerick and Cork chambers of commerce. I hope that road will be very much a part of the capital infrastructure programme and I imagine the Cathaoirleach does too. The south-west axis is central to creating a counterbalance to Dublin. As Senator Gavan from Limerick and Senator Byrne will know, that road needs to be upgraded.

It is a matter of absolute importance for all of us. I join Senator O'Donnell in paying tribute to the late Martin Molony. Senator O'Sullivan knows the story well, but for Members who are not aware, Martin Molony was a jump and flat jockey who was a superstar in his time, as Senator O'Donnell said. I want to pay tribute to him. He was one of the most prolific and profound jockeys of his time. He died at the relatively young age of 91. At a time when national hunt and flat racing were tough sports – they still are – he was in the pantheon of jockeys. He was one of the best. I wish to pay tribute to him and his family.

Senator Mulherin raised an issue relevant to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, and relating to the renewable heat incentive scheme. The public consultation process has closed. The Minister, Deputy Naughten, and his Department officials are undertaking a review of the submissions made. I will be happy to have him to come to the House in the new term.

I am happy to take Senator Kelleher at the end of the Order of Business.