I thank the 14 Senators for their contributions on the Order of Business. I join Senator Conway-Walsh in expressing our comhbhrón le muintir Molloy as ucht bás Tom Molloy, to sympathise with the Molloy family on the passing of Tom Molloy whom Senator Conway-Walsh eloquently described as a wonderful musician and part of a fantastic family. Our sympathy goes to the family on their very sad loss.

Senator Mark Daly raised the issue of the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, growth forecast and the budget. The important point for the Senator to recognise is that talks are going on about the budget. This day fortnight it will be revealed. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, is finalising his budget package and is engaging with members of the Senator's party on it. There will be lots of speculation, lots of kite-flying and hyperbole around the budget. It is important to recognise that the ESRI figures acknowledge that the economy is growing and there is a need for a prudent approach to be taken but that there are risks and, as we know and Senators Feighan and Leyden have said, Brexit is the most substantial risk we face. We will have to face it. There is no such thing as a good Brexit. Brexit is bad. The status quo will not remain. There will be profound change, no matter what happens in the final outcome of Brexit because what we have now will not be the way. That will not stop Senator Mark Daly or others from criticising the Government but Brexit is not good and will have a profound impact. Senator Murnane O'Connor can nod her head all she wants. It is the fact whether Fianna Fáil or we or the Labour Party are in government.

I am saying nothing.

Brexit was not caused by the Government. It has been foisted on us and we are going to have to ensure we wear the green jersey.

Exactly. I support that 100%.

The Minister for Finance has been championing prudent policy in the budget. It is what he is known for. The economy is approaching full employment and it is important not to overheat it and that we learn from what happened in the past. I am sure the Senator will join me in wishing the Minister well with the budget.

Senator Mark Daly also raised the issue of organ donation. I know he has a particular interest in and that he is very close to the Irish Kidney Association and that he recalled the Seanad one summer on the matter. I am quite happy to have a debate on organ donation.

A kidney is not for Christmas.

I chaired the Joint Committee on Health and Children which did very comprehensive work on organ donation. Senator Colm Burke was part of that committee. Senator Mark Daly's contribution on organ donation this morning was very one-dimensional. He is going against people such as Professor Jim Egan and Philip Watt of the Cystic Fibrosis Society.

I-----

I did not interrupt the Senator.

I know, but these are facts.

The Senator spoke about Ireland and the world. He should consider the Spanish model and how it has transformed organ donation.

They got rid of the concept of presumed consent.

All parties are in favour of what the Minister for Health is proposing. At the committee I chaired and of which Senator Colm Burke is now a member, Senator Mark Daly's party supported it also. Let us have a real debate about organ donation.

Any time.

It is important to consider what happened as a consequence of the wonderful documentary on Orla Tinsley. There were 5,000 requests for organ donations as a consequence. Organ donation saves lives, it gives people a second chance. If we can improve our status from 15th to 28th in the European Union and improve people's lives and give them a second chance I am in favour of what the Minister proposes. We should engage in a debate on the matter.

However, that debate should not be one-sided, which is what we are hearing from some. It is much more than what Senator Mark Daly is presenting this morning.

It is an alternative view-----

I accept that.

-----based on facts and research.

I was generous to the Senator when he outlined the issue.

Senators Boyhan and Mark Daly raised the issue of housing. I would be happy to invite the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, and the Minister of State, Deputy English, to the House to address housing and homelessness. I commend the Minister. There is an obligation on Members, when they come into the House, to put forward policies. For once, I agree with Deputy Micheál Martin. The motion tabled in the Dáil yesterday was not going to solve the housing crisis. None of us has a monopoly on empathy or concern. All of us, every day, in our personal lives and political lives, meet and deal with people who are suffering as a result of a lack of housing, whether due to affordability or a lack of social housing, or whether they are elderly people who want to downsize and cannot do so. Members of the House have an obligation, when speaking about housing or any matter, to come here with an alternative policy rather than a cheap soundbite. Let us hear the policies.

We have set out the policies but the Leader ignores them.

Let us hear what they would do.

The discussion goes nowhere because the Leader is not prepared to read our policies.

Senator Devine, please.

Let us not base policy on voodoo economics.

We have costed our policy more than Fine Gael has.

I cannot allow a debate on the Order of Business.

It is costed by the Department of Finance.

Senator Devine, please.

I agree with Senators Boyhan and Conway-Walsh that the Minister of State, Deputy English, needs to come to the House to discuss the pyrite issue, which is a serious concern for many families and homeowners. The Minister of State established the pyrite remediation scheme and the Pyrite Resolution Board, which have dealt with more than 1,000 redress requests. I know from reading the report published last year that it will be 2020 before the process slows down. Last year, 945 dwellings were remediated and contracts were being awarded or work was under way in the case of a further 129 properties. Remediation costs approximately €70,000 per house and several local authorities are working actively on the matter. I commend the Minister of State on the work he has done tackling this matter of great concern.

Senator Conway-Walsh referred to a programme about Frank Stagg broadcast on TG4. People will watch the programme from whatever vantage point they want. I remember the events of the 1970s quite well.

I congratulate Senator Ruane on the publication of her book and reaching No. 1 on the book sales list. I apologise that I was not able to get to the launch. I hear the Senator will be a poll topper on the Trinity panel the next time.

It is the kiss of death again.

She got many kisses in Trinity College Dublin on the night of the launch. I witnessed it.

I commend the Senator on her wonderful bravery and eloquence on radio and television. The success of a good book can be judged from the reviews written by those charged with that responsibility. I read a number of reviews and they were extraordinary. It took great courage and much work on the Senator's part to write the book and dedicate time to it. While I do not want to be patronising, I congratulate her and look forward to reading the book, which is on my reading list. I have to get it signed too.

The Senator raised the precarious case of Sean Binder. I have read the interview with Sean's mother, Fanny. Both he and his mother deny the charges brought against him. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, and the Department are aware of the case and ready to help. There is a complication in that Mr. Binder was born in Germany. It is important that the Department is ready to help and that the matter has been raised in the House today. It is a source of concern that a young man who has engaged in humanitarian work has been wrongly accused, as I believe he has been, having read some of the information. I stand to be corrected. It is a matter of extreme importance that we get the matter resolved quickly in order that Sean can return home.

Senator Byrne raised the issue of pharmaceutical assistants who work under a licensed pharmacist. It is extraordinary that 248 people are being penalised by recommendations made by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. Those recommendations are wrong. We should acknowledge that pharmaceutical assistants provide assistance to pharmacists. In many cases, they have vast experience, possibly much more than some of the pharmacists for whom they work. They assist and are a source of relief. They also have a very positive impact on the sector. As Senator Byrne rightly said, this will have a profound impact on the work of pharmacies and chemists in communities. I hope there will at least be a review of the decision and a stay put on it. I commend Senator Byrne on raising the matter. The Irish Pharmacy Union has been in contact with the Minister, seeking to have the restrictive rules changed. Very strict conditions already apply and I hope these rules will be reversed. I thank members of the Irish Pharmacy Union who have contacted me about the matter.

Senator Leyden raised the issue of the new boundaries for the European Parliament. An independent commission was established, which has produced the report. It would be inappropriate to comment further other than to note that the commission has allocated extra seats to different areas.

Senator McFadden raised the issue of assistant psychologists in Ireland. I agree with her about the role they can play in the mental health system. The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Jim Daly, has examined the psychology aspect of the child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, where we have waiting lists. I hope we can allow for a particular and significant role to be played by assistant psychologists with regard to the matters raised.

Senator Devine raised the issue of public service pay. I note that a number of meetings will be held with different unions today regarding public sector pay. Under the Government, we have seen a restoration of pay to public servants, a reduction in the universal social charge and changes to the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, legislation. The report published under the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act will result in further changes. It is important to recognise the need to be measured in our approach to public sector pay. The Senator spoke about the health system. As a public servant for my entire adult life, I understand and appreciate the value of the role played by nurses, doctors and other healthcare assistants and professionals. The important, evidence-based report by the Government allows for further changes and I hope we will see a continuation of those changes in the budget.

Recruitment and retention was ignored and dismissed by the Public Service Pay Commission.

It was addressed by the commission. What was dismissed was that pay was a factor in people deciding whether to join or remain in the health service. We can argue that point. Public sector pay has been increased and we have seen new rates of pay. What we need now is work on how we can entice people to come back or to stay. The Public Service Pay Commission, of which I was not part, concluded that pay was not the issue. Anecdotally, one hears from members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and healthcare workers that their workload is too heavy and their hours are too long. Let us have a conversation about how we can make life better for people working in the health service.

The report from the Joint Committee on the Future of Mental Health Care states-----

I am just making a point. What the Senator is looking for may not be the answer. It may not be about money. If the Senator had a conversation with some people who went abroad and do not intend to return, she may find there is a variety of reasons they will not come home.

They dread coming home.

There is an obligation and duty not to talk down the health system and make it sound as if it is absolutely awful. It is not.

I want us to have a health system that functions on behalf of patients and in which staff are rewarded and have good working conditions.

I want the Leader's response to contain a measure of honesty and acknowledgement.

This is the time for the Leader to respond.

Is it?

Yes. I am not permitted to allow the Senator back in.

Senator Tim Lombard referred to the Tidy Towns competition. I congratulate all of the winners. Listowel was the national winner, while Carrigaline in my area won a gold award. Bishopstown had its points increased. I also congratulate those involved in Ballincollig.

Killarney won in its category.

I am delighted to hear that. It is important to recognise the voluntarism of the many thousands across the country who enhance and improve the public realm and without whom, many towns would be a poorer place in which to live.

Senators Tim Lombard and Kevin Humphreys referred to the public school bus system. Senator Kevin Humphreys is correct that there is a need to look at the catchment areas. I commend Senator Tim Lombard for raising the issues in his area.

The issue of the budget for dementia services as raised by Senator Kevin Humphreys is of great importance. Some 55,000 people suffer from dementia and that number is forecast to increase. Since 2014, the Government has allocated €28 million to deal with the matter, of which €21 million will be utilised, with an additional €3 million for home care packages. However, the points outlined by the Senator about dementia support services, centres of excellence and home care packages are valid. Senator Máire Devine asked for honesty. We must ensure the HSE will examine the delivery of home care packages because it is my experience in advocating on behalf of those seeking such packages that there is a blockage in the system which should be addressed as a priority.

It is a problem nationwide.

I agree with Senator Paul Daly on the issue of telephone call charges, whether flat-rate calls or otherwise. The issue should be raised as a matter of urgency, perhaps by way of a Commencement matter, and addressed as a priority because the Senator is correct that calls to a variety of service providers often entail inordinate delays. I was recently left on hold for 48 minutes and when I got through-----

Was the Leader trying to contact the Taoiseach's office?

No, I have no difficulty in that regard. When I got through, I asked to speak to a particular agent and was told that it was a matter for the supervisor. The supervisor came on the line and told me that it was not part of his or her brief. It was nearly an hour before I received any answer and even then I did not receive a complete answer. The point raised by the Senator should be taken up by all Members. I may be old fashioned, but we need a more human interface in customer service rather than selecting option 1, 2 or 3. There should be a willingness to embrace customers who call a helpline or go into an office in search of assistance. The point made by the Senator about the varying cost of calling numbers with certain prefixes should also be addressed.

Organisations should be obliged to have a landline number.

I agree fully. To be fair, the Senator is not raising the matter to score a political point but, rather, because it affects everybody, in particular senior citizens, many of whom experience difficulty in that regard.

I commend Senator Frank Feighan for his attendance at the conference of the British Labour Party in Liverpool. I congratulate Mr. Stephen Pound, MP, on his wonderful articulation of the impact of Brexit. I hope there will be an evolution of the approach to Brexit decisions in the United Kingdom as a consequence of the conference.

Senator Colm Burke raised the issue of vacant properties. He is correct that there is a need to prioritise their usage. I hope that will take place.

In her wonderful contribution Senator Jennifer Murnane O'Connor failed to acknowledge the great work being done by the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Pat Deering, in representing farmers. She should reflect on the fact that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Michael Creed, has been very proactive and vibrant, putting in place different schemes and measures to support and assist farmers-----

I can only deal with the concerns raised with me by farmers. They have told me that the Government is not supporting them, which indicates that the Leader is being contradictory. The farmers of County Carlow have told me that the Government is not supporting them.

The Senator is aware that she is not permitted a second bite at the cherry.

I am just replying to the Leader who is contradicting himself.

That does not matter; it is his response, for which I am not responsible-----

It is not a true response.

------or the contributions of the Senator.

I am surprised that Senator Jennifer Murnane O'Connor did not blame the Minister for the rain, snow, storms and sunshine, but, thankfully, she did not. However, I accept her point about the plight of those suffering from Lyme disease. When I was Chairman of the Joint Committee on Health, we did a piece of work on the disease. Senator Colm Burke is a member of the current committee which held hearings on the issue last year. It is a source of huge concern. Lyme disease is a very debilitating illness which affects people profoundly. I hope the HSE can work with local pharmacists, GPs and advocacy groups to ensure we will have a proper plan in place for the disease because while there are differing opinions on the matter, we should unite to support those affected, whether the disease is caused by a tick or otherwise. I share the Senator's concerns about the issue.