I thank the 12 Senators who contributed to the Order of Business this morning. I join Senators Catherine Ardagh, Victor Boyhan and James Reilly in commending the men and women of the Dublin Fire Brigade on their heroism in preventing any loss of life last night. I congratulate and thank them for their profound bravery in responding immediately and swiftly to the fire at the Metro Hotel in Ballymun. I welcome the decision of the Garda Síochána to conduct an investigation into the events leading up to the fire. I do not want to pre-empt the report, but I certainly hope that if there are any findings, we will put them in place. I would like to give Members an illustration of the work done by Dublin Fire Brigade personnel last night. They went through the 15 storeys of the hotel floor by floor to ensure everyone had been evacuated and no one was still there. They deserve our praise and thanks. Last night's events highlight the need to create awareness among everyone about fire exits, fire alarms and smoke detectors in our homes. We need to be vigilant in preventing incidents of this nature. I commend Dublin Fire Brigade on its efforts last night. We must ensure there is no return to the bad old days when we saw the tragic loss of life in Grenfell Tower.

I would be happy for the Minister to come to the House for a debate on Brexit. Senator Ardagh is right when she says there is no good news on Brexit. The Government has made its position on a hard Brexit clear. I want to wish the Taoiseach and the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, well as they travel to Brussels today for the talks on Friday. We have been clear on where we stand as a Government. I hope we will not be found wanting by our friends and colleagues across Europe. Ireland is a unique case as the country that will be most affected by Brexit. There is no good news on Brexit.

I would be happy for the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, to come to the House for a debate on the matter of rent. It is important to recognise that the Government has prioritised a range of actions to ensure existing rent predictability measures, such as rent pressure zones and increased security of tenure, are fully respected and enforced. Over half of all tenancies are now covered by rent protection zones. We are making sure landlords comply with the new rules. The figures show that there was a deceleration in the fourth quarter of last year, with standardised rents increasing by 1.1%, compared with 2.5% previously. As Senator Ardagh knows quite well, the Government is committed to Rebuilding Ireland and to increasing the supply of social and private housing.

I join Senator Boyhan in congratulating Ursula Halligan on her 18 or 19 years as political reporter for TV3. Her coverage was always balanced and fair. She has always been very courteous and professional. Her leadership and inspiration during the marriage equality referendum resonated with many people. Her intervention at a critical time in the campaign certainly struck a chord in the hearts of many people. I always found her courteous and diligent as a professional journalist. I wish her well in her new post in UCD. I think we should have a debate on the point made by Senator Boyhan about the relationship between the media and the body politic. We have not yet had such a debate.

Senator Boyhan rightly mentioned that tomorrow is Daffodil Day. I thank those who are volunteering across the country and wish them well in raising funds for hospice foundations and movements and for cancer care in all parts of the country. The great community spirit in Ireland is seen to be alive on Daffodil Day, which is a wonderful day. We all like to see the lapel badge - the daffodil of hope - as we look forward each spring. We will all support Daffodil Day tomorrow. I hope the weather will be good. As Senators will recall, we had a couple of years when this event was washed out. Tomorrow is a very important day and I thank everybody involved. I commend the Irish Cancer Society. As Senator Reilly said, one of the most important things we can do is eliminate smoking from our society so that we have a smoke-free Ireland.

Senator Paul Gavan referred to the unveiling of the portrait of Martin McGuinness. The most important legacy that people on all sides could leave in his memory would be a return of the power-sharing Executive in Stormont. It is important for all parties in the North to renew their efforts to go back into government. Martin McGuinness took a step to go into government with Ian Paisley and he took a step to lay down arms. On the anniversary of his death, the best legacy we can leave is for the Executive in Stormont to be returned. I hope that can happen.

Senators Gavan, Diarmuid Wilson and Frank Feighan spoke about the McAnespie family. I could not get to the audiovisual room today. We have had a debate on this matter in the House. Senator Robbie Gallagher has tabled a motion on it as well. We were all struck by what happened to young Aidan McAnespie. All of us want to see justice for the members of the McAnespie family, who have bravely and courageously highlighted this issue. Members can listen back to the powerful interview they gave on the "Miriam Meets" programme. I am not defending anything when I say for the record of the House that the Minister has said there are confidentiality issues with the Crowley report, which was compiled under the stewardship of Assistant Commissioner Crowley, and that to protect people-----

They got it wrong.

Can I finish? The Minister has said in this House and elsewhere that due to the fear of intimidation or whatever, confidentiality commitments were given to people living in the communities. The Minister has said he is open to looking at this. All of us recognise that part of the report was given to the McAnespie family in the past. In the interests of bringing closure to the family and helping to bring about justice, there should be another look at how we can ensure the Crowley report is presented to the McAnespie family. It should be given to them. I will be happy to have that communicated to the Minister from the House today.

Senator David Norris referred to a matter that was raised at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and on which the Cathaoirleach has adjudicated.

Senators Norris and Aidan Davitt raised the forthcoming visit of Pope Francis, which was the subject of a discussion yesterday. It is important to recognise that this is an historic visit, but it is not a State visit. The Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privileges decided yesterday to look at how we can invite the Pope to address a joint sitting of the Houses of the Oireachtas. I know that the visit will take place on Saturday, 25 August and Sunday, 26 August. We should use this opportunity to welcome Pope Francis to our country. He is the head of the Catholic Church and he is very welcome.

Absolutely.

He has helped to make the church a friendlier and warmer home for people than it was in the past. It is disappointing, as Senator Norris rightly mentioned, that a wide variety of families, including LGBT families, single-parent families and lone-parent families, were removed from a brochure promoting this event. I hope the church will recognise that the traditional family model has changed in today's Ireland and today's world. All of us should embrace this within the concept of family. If that means challenging the conservative perceptions and preconceived notions of some people, I think that is no harm.

Senator Reilly spoke about the Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill 2017. I am certainly not holding it up as Leader of the House. I will endeavour to find out where the Bill is for the Senator. I commend him on the remarks he made about cancer last week. I congratulate him for his Trojan efforts to achieve a tobacco-free Ireland.

I join Senator Maria Byrne in calling on everyone in Limerick to avail of the free vaccination this afternoon. It can be seen in today's report on the importance of the HPV vaccination that vaccinations work. I think we need to spread the message that vaccinations work. I hope people will take that up.

I congratulate Troy film studios on the imminent launch of "Nightflyers".

Senator Lombard raised the issue of bus services in Ireland. As he said, I also attended the meeting in Cork with Bus Éireann. As the Senator said, the cost of travel from Kinsale to Cork is €14.50 return. This does not promote greater use of public transport. The Government has increased the resources of Bus Éireann in terms of additional new buses. I agree with the Senator that in Cork we need additional buses, additional bus lanes, greater encouragement of the use of bus services and more customer friendly fare options. I am happy to ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, to come to the House for a debate on bus services.

I, too, had a Commencement Matter on this issue ruled out of order, yet the Minister, Deputy Ross, was able to respond to a Topical Issue on Bus Éireann in the Dáil. I understand why my matter was ruled out of order but there needs to be accountability by Ministers to this House, be that in regard to the HSE or any other agency. It is not acceptable that Ministers, Departments or organisations can refuse to come to the Houses of the Oireachtas to address issues, be that in committee or in either House. We need to be able to hold them to account. As I said, I understand why my Commencement Matter was ruled out order but it is unacceptable that Members of this House cannot get a reply to a matter that is of importance to people in Cork city.

Senator Conway raised mass sporting events. I am open to correction but I understand there are regulations governing the licensing of events by the local authorities, working with An Garda Síochána and other agencies. The point made by the Senator in regard to Ennistymon is perhaps one that he could take up with the relevant authority in the area.

Senator Colm Burke raised home care packages, which is an important issue. We need to see more people availing of home care packages and I am happy to have the Minister come to the House for a debate on the issue.