I thank the 11 Senators who raised myriad items on the Order of Business. Senator Ardagh referred to the primary care centre on Curlew Road. I am not familiar with the specific case but I liaised with the Minister's office after she raised the matter on the Order of Business last week. It is important to reassert the Government's commitment to primary care. It is the most important issue in the health sector and we are prioritising it under the Sláintecare report. It is about ensuring people can access primary care in their communities. I am of the view that more primary care units are needed. This Government - like that which preceded it - has been committed to building and opening new primary care units. However, I am not familiar with the issue at Curlew Road to which the Senator refers.

Regarding housing, we should all welcome the Government's initiative last week and recognise the significance of what the Government announced. I am reluctant to create a political row this afternoon but when I listen to some Members speak about housing, I wish they would cast their minds back to the lost decade of which they and their party - particularly its leader, who was at the Cabinet table - were the architects. In addressing the issue of social housing and homelessness the Government, through Rebuilding Ireland, is committed to investing in housing.

It has not built any new home. When it was awash with money, it did not build any.

I understand there are statements on housing tomorrow.

Some 25,892 individuals had their housing needs met last year under Rebuilding Ireland. The Government exceeded its overall target for new social housing supports in 2017 by 23%.

That includes allocations from the rent allowance to the housing assistance payment, HAP. It is not new building.

That is more than 4,800 additional tenancies. The 2017 level of support was an increase of 36% over 2016 or 6,847 more households. Will I continue? I know the facts. I realise the Senator does not wish to hear good news on housing-----

It is good when the bar is low enough.

-----but I will be happy to debate it with her tomorrow also. I agree with the Senator that there is a generation of young people who wish to be able to buy houses and live in their own homes. They do not wish to be renting or to be on city or county council housing waiting lists. I accept that fully, but please do not mislead the House by saying that nothing is happening and no social housing is being built. I can bring the Senator to my city, Cork-----

I can bring the Leader to Dublin South-Central and show him that nothing has been done since Fine Gael got into power.

-----and introduce her to people who have received keys to their homes under Rebuilding Ireland. They have their homes and are living as a family. I will bring the Senator to the houses.

I can bring the Leader to-----

She can look at them and marvel at the wonder of people being housed under Rebuilding Ireland. Then I will bring her across to Dean Rock estate where houses are being constructed as we speak. She can see them and acknowledge that we are building houses. She cannot ignore the fact that, on her party's watch, the construction sector was decimated, the banking system was on its knees and the troika was here. Does she remember the troika?

Try to stay in the present day.

The problem is that Senator Gallagher does not wish to remember that. We have to tell him and remind him that his party can never be trusted again to be in government by itself. That is why we have a confidence and supply arrangement, whereby we can work together to ensure we never return to what was done in the boom-and-bust era of Bertie Ahern and Charlie McCreevy, when the Senator's party leader was at the Cabinet table and was happy to acquiesce.

I think the people are more interested to learn what the Government is going to do about housing rather than in a history lesson, with respect.

The Senator is the education spokesperson and knows the importance of history.

That issue can be raised tomorrow during the debate on housing.

One can learn from history. That is why Rebuilding Ireland is the cornerstone. Yes, we have a road to travel and I accept we have a great deal of work to do. It is unacceptable that people are waiting. That is why the Government made an announcement on the affordable scheme last week. It is important that we build more houses and we create the environment in which to do that. Members will find that there is no reluctance on my part as Leader or from Members on this side of the House to do that. It is about ensuring we house people of all ages and in all communities. It is critically important that we give people hope and confidence. That is what Rebuilding Ireland is about.

Senator Boyhan raised the issue of the Irish Farmers Journal suckler herd campaign. The Senator is correct, as we all know €1 invested in the beef sector underpins €4 in the economy. It is a very important element of our economy. As the Taoiseach said at the AGM of the IFA the farming sector is a very important part of the country. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, has announced six public meetings under the 2020 consultation on the Common Agricultural Policy, which will be reviewed in June of this year by the European Commission. It is important that we hear all the different voices. That is the reason that the Minister, Deputy Creed, is investing in the beef data genomics programme, BDGP, scheme in terms of the herd. It is an important part of the agriculture sector. I would be happy were the Minister to come to the House in that regard.

Senator Conway-Walsh raised the issue of flood relief. It is important to understand the issues she raised are critically important to the people in the communities she has named. I think it is a little unfair to say the Office of Public Works is not engaging because from my experience in the city of Cork and I know from Senator McFadden who has raised the matter in this House, the OPW engaged with communities in different part of Ireland around flood defence needs. I am not familiar with the area mentioned by Senator Conway-Walsh. I know that the Senator raised it last week also and stated there was a need to up the level of engagement. I would be happy to have the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran, come to the House. The then Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, added special responsibility for flood relief to the role of the Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works. It is important to give Deputy Moran who replaced Deputy Canney the opportunity to come into the House to have that debate. I would be happy to facilitate it.

Senator Conway-Walsh addressed the issue of chronic pain. As a former Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health, I invited Chronic Pain Ireland to come before the committee. Dealing with chronic pain is an extraordinary situation in the health system as there is no one condition in some cases, people fall between the cracks. We need to have this issue addressed and I would be happy for the Minister for Health to come to this House. It is critically important that people who are in chronic pain but whose condition remains uncategorised receive a fair hearing.

Senator Ó Ríordáin referred to section 39 organisations. I thought he was in government in the past five years with another party also. I am sure he has forgotten it.

One can see the difference now.

The country is flying now. The Senator is correct.

In the wrong way for workers. They want their money back.

We need to address the issue with section 39 organisations and I would be very happy to have that debate in the House. As Senator Ó Ríordáin knows quite well, those organisation were not directly funded by the HSE. He has raised the differences in their pay and conditions. Anyone who works in the health system is entitled to and deserves to have equal and fair pay. Those of us who have been advocates for a long time will continue to work for it.

They were not going on strike when we were in government.

The whole country did not go on strike when the Senator and his party were in government.

I know and it was great.

It is amazing how Members forget things when they leave government.

No, it is amazing why people want to go on strike now - SNAs, teachers, lecturers-----

Please, allow the Leader to continue.

I will have the Senator remember that teachers went on strike when we were in government together.

One day.

The SNAs threatened to go on strike also. There were also issues of potential strikes with ambulance service staff. We can have an argument if the Senator so wishes.

The troika was running the country then.

I think we were of a similar mind.

The Senator will have a tougher job with me than with the Fianna Fáil Party.

No, it is quite easy to deal with the Senator.

Not really.

Quite easy.

Senator Ó Ríordáin should not be sensitive.

The Leader should not be antagonising other Senators.

He should move on to Clonkeen College.

We are-----

I know Senator Ó Ríordáin has a very strong social media campaign with regard to the issue at St. Anne's Park.

It is more than just social media. There were 3,000 people there at the weekend.

I ask the Senator to reflect on the possibility that in this case-----

I am reflecting.

-----it is a matter for local authority zoning. The Senator might do well to liaise with some of his councillors on the ground with regard to aspects of planning like the local area plan and the city plan. I am not familiar with the designated sites that have been raised by the Senator because it is not my area.

Clearly.

I ask the Senator to let me finish. He might do well to listen sometimes rather than objecting the whole time.

Ceart go leor, a mhúinteoir.

I am not necessarily against what the Senator is trying to achieve. I ask him to give me an opportunity. Perhaps it might be more advantageous to raise this issue as a Commencement matter with the Minister. To be fair to the Minister, he is not hiding behind his desk.

My information on this issue is based on my time on the city council. As a former local authority member and a former Minister of State, Senator Ó Ríordáin will be aware that there may be a planning issue with local area plans. I agree with him that there is an issue. If moneys are allocated or there is redress to be made, the organisation or institution should deal with local authorities and with the Government. I am not familiar with the cases mentioned by the Senator, which involve Vincentian lands at St. Anne's Park and Clonkeen College. I have given my answer. It is important for us to look at the possibility of having a Commencement debate on the matter. I will get the Minister to come to the House in the next couple of weeks, if I can.

Okay.

It is important to have the matter addressed. I do not disagree with the Senator.

I appreciate that.

Senator Butler spoke about diabetes, which is a source of concern. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has increased beyond acceptance. In fact, it doubled between 1998 and 2015. It is thought that one in 15 people suffers from type 2 diabetes. I know that Diabetes Ireland had a national screening day in November. I would be happy to invite the Minister for Health to come to the House to discuss the matter.

Senator Gallagher referred to the unfortunate incident in Aughnacloy involving Ms Pat Davidson. I agree with him that every effort should be made and every avenue should be utilised to combat crime and bring those who are guilty - the perpetrators - to justice. I would be happy to have the Bill relating to electronic tagging, CCTV and people on bail brought to the House as soon as possible. The Senator is right when he says we need to use every opportunity we can to protect people and to bring those who commit crimes to justice. In the past week, a gang of thugs - not people - travelled on the motorway from Dublin to my own area of Cork and rural parts of Cork.

Thugs from Dublin.

Dublin.

It is a very serious matter.

I know that.

People are travelling on the motorway to rob and harass old people, in particular. They came from Dublin in this case.

In most cases.

I am not making a slight on Dublin. To be fair, the gang in question was apprehended by gardaí. One of the reasons gardaí were successful in this case was that they were able to use CCTV to get a visual of the particular van. I fully support any efforts we can make to bring these gangs to justice and to bring an end to this type of crime in the country.

Senator Hopkins complimented those involved with Ballinasloe Tidy Towns. I would be happy to have the Minister responsible come to the House for a debate on the waste mentioned by the Senator. We need to highlight and keep on top of this important issue.

I join Senator Devine in congratulating all Members of the House who were involved in today's launch of Vótáil 100. I thank the Cathaoirleach for participating in that event. I compliment Senators Devine and McFadden, with Senator Bacik, who is the chair of Vótáil 100. It is an important year of celebration. Equally, it is critical that we support the Pearl of Wisdom cervical cancer campaign, which enables women to be screened and highlights and promulgates the importance of screening. Those who make comments otherwise about vaccinations and screening should reflect on the prevalence of cancer in our society. I think the Pearl of Wisdom campaign is worthy and deserving of our support. I am not sure what the rules of the House are regarding the wearing of emblems, but I certainly join Senator Devine in supporting the campaign.

Senator Norris raised the issue of his meeting with RTÉ. As I said in reply to a question on the Order of Business last Thursday, I met the RTÉ representatives and they were due to meet the Cathaoirleach today, if I remember correctly, or perhaps later this week. Senator Norris has raised the issue of the "Oireachtas Report" programme being reduced or eliminated. There are three parts to the discussion we should have on the coverage of the Houses of the Oireachtas. I agree with the Senator that the type of programme in question is critically important. In its current format, "Oireachtas Report" is not an appetising programme for many, not least because of the change in its scheduling. The second issue is the format and the third is that some believe such coverage is irrelevant to their lives. I understand RTÉ is moving to an online model, which is where many people now access news and political coverage, often through using an iPhone, iPad or another device. The matter is probably beyond my remit and it is up to the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission or the Ceann Comhairle and the Cathaoirleach and others to ensure there is fair, balanced and reasonable coverage of Oireachtas proceedings. That matter can be taken up with RTÉ. We, as Senators, cannot put our heads in the sand and say that everything we do is perfect because it is not but there is a duty on RTÉ as a public service broadcaster to cover proceedings in the Oireachtas. There is a movement away from the traditional forms of communication and coverage of news of which we, as politicians, possibly should be more aware.

RTÉ does not have to abandon terrestrial broadcasting.

I accept that. I do not believe it is moving away from programmes such as "The Late Debate" because a new series of presenters for that programme has been announced and it is broadcast from Tuesday to Thursday, inclusive.

The new presenters are all women.

The new presenting line-up is all female, which is good, and I welcome------

Why is that good?

In the interests of gender equality-----

It is all about different voices and it is------

It should be about whether the new presenters are any good, not their sexuality or what they have between their legs.

On a day when Vótáil 100 is being marked-----

It is important that we continue to engage with RTÉ on its coverage of the Houses of the Oireachtas and the committees. Senator Norris has made an important point.

I join Senator Coghlan in congratulating Muckross House and the National Parks and Wildlife Service on their co-operation in respect of the John B. Yeats painting that the Senator very graphically described. I hope the wallpaper is holding up and that there will be no further adultery in the grounds of Muckross House.

Spoilsport.

I am not accountable for what happens there but all are welcome.

I am sure Senator Coghlan will not be roping in anybody soon.

Will the Leader expand on that?

I agree with Senator Colm Burke on the need for a debate on the issue of litigation in the health service and, in particular, in regard to medical indemnity insurance and the cost of it, as well as the need to protect the men and women who work in the health service. The Senator is a very strong champion of the health service and has repeatedly raised the issue of the increased recruitment of administrative staff ahead of staff for other parts of the service. I will not make reference to the issue of HIQA undertaking an investigation at the National Maternity Hospital because that is still before the courts, but it is important that the matters raised by the Senator be debated in the House.