Before I ask the Leader to proceed with the Order of Business, I would like to acknowledge the long service of Senator David Norris who has been a Member of the House for 30 years and seven months. He has given extraordinary service as a representative of Trinity College, but his service and contribution have been much broader than Trinity. Sometimes they have been so broad that they can annoy the Cathaoirleach. His depth of knowledge and grasp of many topics, including economics, culture, history and so on, is endless and he has been a great advocate. He was here for a term before I was elected in 1989. I understand this is his eighth Seanad. It is a remarkable achievement. On a personal level, Senator Norris was a terrible rogue.
Order of Business
Like yourself, a Chathaoirligh.
He would far outweigh me in that department. He has had a remarkable and very colourful, productive and fulfilling career.
He championed the decriminalisation of homosexuality between adult gay men, after he won his case in Europe. The then Minister, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, acceded to introducing legislation to facilitate that decision. He is the father of the House in more ways than one. I think he is a little older than 30 years and seven months, but I will leave that matter to him.
Senator Norris is held in high regard by me and many Senators, including those who are no longer here - people who have lost seats and so on. It is a wonderful occasion for Senator Norris and it is appropriate to mark it on 30 November, the last day of the month. He is not yet a holy soul but he is getting close to it. It is appropriate to mark the occasion with a few words of tribute. As Cathaoirleach, I am very honoured to have served with him and to be Cathaoirleach at a time when he is still active in the House. I wish him a long service in the Seanad and, on a personal level, the best of health. I hope he has a good Christmas. We are all very lucky that we are here for Christmas. We are fortunate.
I will allow the Leader to speak because we have a lot of business today. Whoever wishes to speak on the Order of Business can mention Senator Norris. I will not stop anyone who wishes to speak.
If I am correct, we will do the acknowledgments and tributes as part of the Order of Business. Is that correct?
Yes.
The Order of Business is No. a1, motion re sitting of Seanad Éireann next Tuesday, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 1, statements to mark World AIDS Day on 1 December 2017 to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to conclude no later than 1.45 p.m., with the contribution of group spokespersons not to exceed six minutes, all other Senators not to exceed four minutes and the Minister to be given no less than four minutes to reply to the debate; No. 2, Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2017 - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 1.45 p.m.; and No. 3, Domestic Violence Bill 2017 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 2.
I would like to join the Cathaoirleach in paying tribute to Senator Norris. He is not a holy soul just yet, but he is a loveable rogue and has given 30 years of service not just to Trinity College and the House but to the State. He has been a formidable debater, orator and political campaigner for topics which were not popular and society did not embrace, and championed them when nobody else would do so. He has continued to champion many causes which are not popular. When the bandwagon keeps going on, he is rightly acknowledged as the man who led many of those campaigns. We wish him 30 more years in the House, and thank him for his service to the State.
Regarding farm payments, today's edition of the Irish Farmers' Journal is leading with the question of how the spare €380 million in the Department should be allocated. Many low-income farmers need funding. We propose that the money be redeployed to them in light of the GLAS shortfall. This money is needed, but so is something else on which I will call for a debate with the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Ring, namely, the reason for the late payments to farmers.
Fianna Fáil will also seek a debate on Tusla. Mandatory reporting is coming in, but Members of this House, their staff and people who are of assistance to those in distress, particularly in child protection matters, have not been given the necessary training to deal with them. If they do not deal with such matters correctly, they will be in breach of the law. We need clarification from the Government and the House on how our staff will be trained to deal with the issue of mandatory reporting. Tusla's CEO has stated that it does not have the requisite resources and is unaware of what processes it needs to have in place. Some 800 child protection and welfare cases are deemed high priority, yet a social worker has not been allocated to them. Children who are suffering abuse at this moment are not being dealt with. We are now going to add a further layer of reporting that is necessary, given what has happened previously, but there is a lack of clarity for Members of the Houses, local councillors, members of the Garda and so on as to what they have to do to comply with the law.
I ask that the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, attend the House as soon as possible to outline what she is going to do. If Senators get phone calls and do not deal with them properly, they could be charged with breaking the law. More importantly, as with the case of Garda Sergeant McCabe, how should we deal with spurious allegations? People can make vexatious claims against people for the worst of motives. What would happen in such cases?
How quickly 30-odd years pass. I remember sitting on my mother's knee as a child when Senator Norris was first elected to the Seanad.
The Senator is exaggerating a little.
Senator Norris is a great orator, wonderful scholar, good friend to have around the House and good man to give advice-----
Senator Craughwell is misleading the House.
-----to a youngster who arrives. I wish him well and I hope that he is around for another 30 years with me.
I thank Senator Craughwell very much.
Some of the others will not be, but I hope that the Senator and I will.
Should I take it that your mother had a knee replacement after that?
Senator A
And a hip.
I have spoken on the Defence Forces many times in the House. It pained me to walk through the gate of Leinster House this morning to find that the wives and partners of members of the Defence Forces would be camping outside for the next 24 hours. We must get a grip on what is happening. I will not criticise the Minister or anyone this morning. It just pains me to see what is going on outside the gate. These women left their children this morning, and the men who are out there with them left their families this morning, to travel here and spend 24 hours outside the gate. They are doing it to underpin the miserable terms and conditions of employment that we give to members of the Defence Forces. Some 4,500 members have walked out in seven years. We have no strategy for retention. We have no strategy for pay. We have no strategy for recruitment. Recruits are coming in one gate and going out the other.
I do not know how to solve the problem. I spoke on the issue of homelessness a couple of weeks ago in the Chamber. As with that, we cannot solve the problem simply by knocking lumps out of one another. We must find a way to work together on this.
On a point of information for my colleague, we are recruiting to the Army. It has been recruiting.
We have one Leader and we will let him make a response.
We give a good service. Senator Craughwell can speak with my assistant here.
The unfortunate thing about recruitment is that, as quickly as people are joining, they are leaving.
The Senator does not even acknowledge that there is recruitment.
Allow Senator-----
The Leader will have plenty of time to have a crack at me when he gets to his feet.
Will the Senator be factual, though?
I am being factual.
Leader, please let Senator Craughwell finish. His time is up.
Recruits are coming in and leaving before they finish their training. It is a fact.
That is normal.
That always happens.
Listen. The Senators are talking to the wrong guy now.
I am not.
Through the Chair. Allow the Senator to conclude his point. The Leader can then respond.
There are always people who leave during training. The Senator knows that full well. He is misleading the House.
Leader, you will have ample time.
Why is it that the Leader always feels he has to interject when he will get ten minutes-----
When the Senator misleads the House.
No. That is not-----
The Leader will get half an hour when this is finished to have a crack at everybody.
Please, Senator. I am trying to protect you. Leader, you made the strong statement that Senator Craughwell was misleading the House. Senator Craughwell has no intention of doing that. Please, allow him to conclude. You are only delaying the process.
He is telling the truth.
I am. Thanks for saying that.
No. Senator Craughwell is telling the truth.
Senator Wilson, no foreign stations butting in, please. Senator Craughwell, please conclude.
If I may conclude,-----
Thanks for your support for the Army.
He is telling the truth.
Please, allow Senator Craughwell to conclude.
The truth of the matter is that recruits are walking out in droves. We have to do something. What is happening with the Garda is in the full glare of the public eye. What is happening in the Defence Forces is hidden behind closed doors. We have bought massive ships but do not have crews to sail them. We are discussing replacing or improving the armoured personnel carrier, APC, fleet but we will not have drivers to drive them. We do not have bomb disposal specialists. The Defence Forces form the second pillar of the security of the State. Unless we take a grip of this situation, we will have no Defence Forces in a couple of years' time. The Taoiseach is the de facto Minister. He has to take responsibility now.
I pay tribute to our colleague, Senator Norris. It was a different country 30 years ago. Frankly, I cannot imagine the courage it took to campaign the way the Senator has so successfully and with such courage. He has been a spokesperson for justice and equality, as well as for the underdog, for people who do not get a fair go in our society as things stand. He has been an inspiration. In particular, I highlight his work on Palestine. He has been strong on that issue. On behalf of all of my colleagues, I wish him a further long and successful career in the Seanad and thank him for all that he has done to date.
I thank the Senator very much.
I wish to discuss the horrendous situation of the President of the United States retweeting Britain First, a fascist grouping that left the British National Party because the latter was not fascist enough. I have seen the videos. They are videos of hate. They are horrific.
It is worth bearing in mind what Britain First is. It was founded by Mr. Jim Dowson, an anti-abortion campaigner and Christian fundamentalist who is closely associated with Ulster loyalism. That is who we are dealing with. Britain First campaigns against multiculturalism and believes in direct actions such as carrying out "Christian patrols". It believes in mosque invasions. These are the types of fascist to whom the President of the United States is giving his approval. They want to ban Muslims from holding public office. They want to bring back the death penalty.
I agree with what Mr. Jeremy Corbyn said when he called on the Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May, to condemn President Donald Trump's tweets, which I am glad she has done. Mr. Corbyn called the tweets "abhorrent, dangerous and a threat to our society". That is what these groups are.
As it is incumbent on all European leaders to do so, will the Leader call on the Taoiseach to make a strong statement condemning the President of the United States for aligning himself so openly with the worst far-right fascism? Let us not forget that we have it in our own country. I mentioned this only the other week in terms of Mr. Cyrus Christie and the horrible abuse that he suffered. Last week, a new fascist organisation in Dublin dropped a banner from the M50 in Blanchardstown that read: "Defend Ireland: Stop the Great Replacement". It was a message of racism and division.
This Saturday, the community of Blanchardstown will respond with its own banner in a show of support for and solidarity with migrants and refugees in Ireland.
I encourage anyone who is available and in that area to come and support the people of Blanchardstown in standing up to this kind of right-wing tyranny. I ask the Leader, and I hope everyone will support me in this, to call on the Taoiseach to make a clear statement. We cannot be silent in the face of fascism, wherever it comes from, and that certainly includes the President of the United States.
I join colleagues in paying tribute to our good friend and long-standing colleague, Senator Norris. I was going to say that it feels not so much like tributes as it does a sort of canonisation of Senator Norris. However, it is well deserved after 30 years and seven months, as the Cathaoirleach has said, of-----
Canonisation by an atheist would be some trick.
I thank the Senator, I will take that. Yes, if there is a sort of secular canonisation, then that is what is going on here today, but it is well deserved. The Senator has indeed been inspirational, as others have said. It has been a real pleasure for me personally to have served alongside him for the past ten years as Senators on the Dublin University panel, and I cannot believe it has been that long. He has served the constituents from the Dublin University panel so well over that time, and for the 20 years before that. He has followed a long line of progressive Trinity Senators, including Catherine McGuinness and Owen Sheehy-Skeffington. His pioneering work on his own account, both before and after his original election in 1987, has to be commended, particularly his immense bravery and courage in taking the case Norris v. Attorney General. This led to what has been described as the worst Supreme Court judgment ever, in which his case was at first dismissed by the Supreme Court. Famously, of course, it was then allowed by the European Court of Human Rights in Norris v. Ireland, and led to the historic lifting of the ban on homosexuality in 1993. However, it would not have happened without the original act of courage that he so poignantly spoke about in our recent series in Trinity on legal cases that changed Ireland. I must say, it was a real privilege to hear him speak so movingly about that experience. I do not wish in any way to undermine it, because it took immense bravery to take on the Irish State in the mid-1980s, a time when the State was so repressive towards LGBT people, women and in respect of matters of sexuality generally.
On a lighter note, I join others in wishing the Senator very well for 30 more years to come. It is not just a matter of the past but an ongoing pleasure to work with the Senator, as we did on Tuesday night in this House, when we concluded Committee Stage of historic legislation on domestic violence. I look forward to the Report Stage debate today. Senator Norris was among those who pressed hard for introduction of the new offence of coercive control, which the Minister of State introduced on Tuesday night. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Norris on this and other important legislation.
I will finish by stating a view Senator Norris would share. I condemn the new low by US President Donald Trump in retweeting those absolutely disgusting fascist videos from Britain First. These Islamophobic videos have rightly been condemned all across the world. I join with others in calling on the Leader to ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to express Ireland's condemnation of that particular action. It really does represent, even for Trump, a new low.
I will begin by joining in the felicitous words about our good friend and colleague Senator Norris. He is an absolute gentleman as an individual and a great colleague and friend. He is a polymath who makes huge contributions to the Seanad across a range of issues, cultural, social, economic, legal and so on. His pioneering, mould-breaking and hugely change-making work in the area of establishing gay rights in this country cannot be understated. He deserves great credit from all of us and we are proud to have him as a colleague. He does a lot for the Seanad on a number of levels.
Many mainstream reliable British media sources are today reporting that there has been something of a breakthrough in the UK position on Brexit. There are reports that they are coming up with the divorce payment, but more importantly from an Irish context, there are reports that they are now willing to go without regulatory divergence on the Border, and at least acknowledge the Border issue in the negotiations in a serious fashion. That is a great breakthrough. The stated Irish position is that we want to maintain the customs union and the status quo. If we cannot do that, we want to establish the closest possible situation to that on an all-Ireland basis. We are working towards that.
In the constituency I come from, Cavan-Monaghan, there is a huge risk of a dislocation of jobs in the food processing sector, in agriculture and right across a range of areas if we do not achieve this. I am very committed to it. I ask the Leader that before our Taoiseach goes to the next critical summit to decide if we move to the next phase of the negotiations on Brexit, that we have a debate in this House and consider this issue again. Colleagues from all sides in this House have done some great pioneering work on the Brexit question. I appeal to the Leader to do that. It is important that we do and the Leader has a very definite commitment in this regard because he has given me personal assurances on it on a number of occasions. We cannot put up to 40,000 people out of work in this State over Brexit. We will have to stand firm on it.
I wish to associate myself with the comments by Senator Craughwell. Both he and I are nominated by the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association, PDFORRA, and we both represent the Defence Forces here in the House in the best way we can. I met the protestors this morning outside Leinster House. They have a very good point. The families of Defence Forces personnel are relying on the family income supplement. It is unacceptable that this is the case while Defence Forces personnel are working for the State, putting their lives in jeopardy on the Golan Heights, in Lebanon and elsewhere. Maybe we could ask for the Minister of State with responsibility for defence to come to the House next week just to outline the situation-----
He was here last week.
He can come again. We are here every week. He could update us on the position regarding pay and the area of recruitment, which Senator Craughwell has also highlighted.
I wish to pay tribute to Senator Norris for over 30 years and seven months of service. It is an unbelievable service to the State. I regard him as a latter-day Oscar Wilde and it is a privilege to serve with Senator Norris here. I was here for a period between 1992 and 1993; I was here as a Minister of State from 1987 to 1989 when he was a Senator, and we served the State in many ways.
Today is also the 50th anniversary of the death of Patrick Kavanagh of Iniskeen, County Monaghan, and I wish to pay tribute to him.
I wish to comment on Trinity College, where I always expected and believed that David Norris was professor of English. What is wrong with these nitwits? Senator Bacik should have insisted, as she is now Reid Professor there. Surely of all the men in this country, a James Joyce expert, a man who has brought tourism, has defended James Joyce and has restored his houses and towers would be ideal. Yet Trinity College, this centre of enlightenment in the world, was not enlightened enough to make Senator Norris Professor of English. For God's sake, what is wrong with them? I understand Trinity has offered him an honorary doctorate. I am not sure whether he rejected it but certainly he should have. I could not believe it.
They gave one to me and Panti.
When I came into this House, I thought Senator David Norris was one of the most educated, enlightened English experts.
Apart from the Senator himself.
Yet there is a bit of jealousy in that place. There is jealousy in Trinity College to keep that good man down. However, we are elevating him here today, and I am delighted to see him in such good health and such good condition. I always say that in 50 years' time, to have served with David Norris in Seanad Éireann will be a badge of honour. I hope we can have some event to honour him, a lunch or dinner, to give him real recognition.
Like the fatted calf.
I always say that in 50 years' time, to have served with David Norris in Seanad Éireann will be a badge of honour. I hope we can have some event to honour him, a lunch or dinner, to give him real recognition.
I cannot help but comment that the last time I heard the words "in such good condition" someone was commenting about a bull in the Balmoral agricultural show, so I would take that as a compliment.
This week, the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Phil Hogan, issued a White Paper on the future of food and farming that outlines proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy after 2020. In this discussion and in producing a White Paper, we must always be mindful of low farm incomes in many sectors. This remains the most significant and challenging issue in regard to sustainable agriculture and farming enterprises, not only on the whole island of Ireland but also across the rest of the European Union. It is very important that we continue to attract new entrants to agriculture. I suggest, therefore, that we have a discussion on the Common Agricultural Policy for the period after 2020 in terms of how we can deliver better standards, fairer opportunities and equal opportunities for those who wish to derive their principal income from agriculture, forestry and horticulture. The sector is very significant in this country, but also across Europe. In addition, I stress the importance of the European Union. We must call on our colleagues and stand in solidarity with the farmers across the Union, especially regarding how the post-Brexit scenario will affect the Common Agricultural Policy.
I wish Senator Norris continued good health. He is an amazing character, great friend and great colleague. He has been a brave man. He has shone a light in many a dark place. He has been a brave and courageous man in advocating for human rights and gay rights. I hope he will continue to be here and to be that incorrigible, great character that he is because he enriches our deliberations in Seanad Éireann. Well done and thank you.
My apologies for jumping the gun yesterday in paying tribute to our esteemed colleague Senator Norris. I join my colleagues in wishing him many more years in this House. He has been here for 30 years and seven months. To be the longest sitting Member of Seanad Éireann in the history of the State is a massive achievement. He is to be congratulated. I wish him many more years here. I have served here for quite a number of years with him. He has fought many cases for the underprivileged and he is a champion of the underdog throughout the country. People in this State recognise that. No matter where one goes, they say Senator Norris is in the Seanad and that they would like to meet him. When one is with Senator Norris, people always rush up to have their photograph taken with him or to speak to him. He is held in the highest esteem throughout the country.
Senator Norris participated in "Operation Transformation" along with the Leader of the House and a former Member of the House, the late Nicky McFadden, sister of Senator Gabrielle McFadden. It was a great contest.
We won it.
Yes. The Senator was victorious. Once when I was in the Chair, Senator Norris asked me to leave the Chair and come down into the body of the Chamber to vote against the legislation on the referendum to abolish Seanad Éireann. I did not do that. I knew I would not have to and that, if the people got the chance, they would make the right decision. They did so. When one is in the Chair, one has to be on one's toes when dealing with Senator Norris, particularly when dealing with legislation or going through amendments. He is a very good public representative and knows the ins and outs of legislation on Committee and Report Stages. One needs to be on one's toes dealing with him. He has gained all his experience over 30 years. He has been a marvellous public representative and a marvellous Member of this House. He has done a great service to society and Irish political life. I congratulate him and wish him well.
I thank the Senator.
I ask the Leader for a debate in the near future on the high cost of electricity in this country. The cost in Ireland is the fourth highest in Europe. We should debate why we have one of the highest costs because it affects not only the consumer but also industry. I would like the Leader to arrange for this in the near future.
If my memory serves me correctly, Senator Paddy Burke is next in line for being the most senior in this House. I am third, so it is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Go n-éirí an t-ádh leis an gCathaoirleach agus leis an tSeanadóir de Búrca chomh maith. I am sure Senator Norris would not hold it against me if I said thank you very much for being a right royal pain in the arse for the past 30 years. He has always challenged everybody. He has always challenged the establishment, especially the Government parties. He has always challenged us when it needed to be done.
I still like you. Even as a party member.
And vice versa. The bull in Balmoral was mentioned previously. I am sure that bull was a very fine Protestant bull so the Senator would probably have been very much in favour of it. The Senator is a wonderful purveyor of the English language. He is a credit in that regard and he is a great example to us all. He is both a rogue and a gentleman, which is a great mix. He has a wonderful intellect but a wicked sense of humour. Is fear é a bhfuil ardmheas aige ar an nGaeilge. Úsáideann sé an Ghaeilge. Ní bhíonn fuacht ná faitíos air labhairt ar son na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta. Táimid buíoch dó as sin. He is certainly a scholar, but I am not so sure that he is a saint, nor that he would want to be one. Certainly, this House has been very much enriched by his presence. We have had slight differences of opinion on matters such as direct provision but we have always been working towards the same goal. The Senator has always stood up for those who need somebody to stand up for them. He is a voice in the darkness for those who do not have a voice of their own. I am not sure whether the 30 years and seven months is a celebration or a penalty. There are certain misdemeanours for which one would not issue a penalty that long but it has been wonderful to have the Senator here. It has been wonderful to be a friend of his in this House. May he have 30 more years, and seven more months after that. Go raibh maith agat as gach rud atá agat, gach rud atá ráite agat agus an seasamh atá tógtha agat ar son muintir na hÉireann.
Go raibh maith agat, a chara.
I just received information that a good Corkman has been appointed as the new Tánaiste. It is a great honour for him. I knew his late father very well.
It is Senator Jerry Buttimer.
It is unfortunate that his appointment came with the loss of a very nice lady who was a member of this House for many years. She departed in an unfortunate set of circumstances. On a personal level, I wish her the very best. It is nice to see the real capital of Ireland being acknowledged.
I congratulate Deputy Coveney. I am delighted for him. I would like to be associated with the kind words that have been said about Senator Norris. I congratulate him and thank him for his long service and wish him continued health.
Midlands Simon Community receives €100,000 per year from Westmeath County Council and a further €48,000 from the HSE. The organisation provides emergency accommodation for the homeless. It provides a lot of help in the midlands to homeless people with mental health issues. Reports have been produced on the services for homeless people throughout the country and Midlands Simon Community always comes out on top as delivering the best value for money. It is struggling with its services, however, particularly in Athlone. I ask the Leader to contact the relevant Minister to request that he consider increasing the funding for the organisation. It provides a very valuable service.
I acknowledge the presence of the partners of the soldiers at the gate of Leinster House. I am constantly saying that the Army is not just about commemorations and parades. It is not just about helping with sandbags when there is flooding. It is about national security and our reputation abroad. No man or woman wearing an Irish soldier's uniform should ever have to rely on family income support. The Minister of State at the Department of Defence, who I know is working very hard to improve conditions, should be asked to come to the House to update us on progress on the pay and conditions of soldiers. I have raised this several times and will continue to do so. Now that the economy is recovering, we should consider the question of pay and conditions for our soldiers.
I second the proposal of my colleague, Senator Mark Daly, to amend the Order of Business to bring the Minister, Deputy Creed, in on Tuesday. I also wish to be associated with all the glowing comments to our colleague Senator Norris. As a first-time Senator who has only been in the House for a mere 18 months, I do not have much experience of serving with Senator Norris. However, my one abiding memory of the good service that the Senator gave to so many people is when he was diagnosed with ill-health. His public acknowledgement of his illness and portrayal of good humour, as well as how he handled the whole situation outside of politics, gave a lift to so many other people who were in similar circumstances and perhaps suffering alone. That will always be one of the greatest services Senator Norris has given to the ordinary people of Ireland who at the time were in that awkward and sickening situation. Thankfully he and, it is to be hoped, many of them came through it. It has been a pleasure to serve with him for my short period here. Hopefully, someday I might make that milestone and Senator Norris may still even be here.
On a more serious note, I wish to concur with much of what Senator O'Reilly has said. I reiterate that we are in a two-week period in which we will face one of the biggest decisions that will influence the future of this country. I am taken aback by media and political commentary from the United Kingdom over the past 24 to 48 hours in particular. If it was not so serious it would have been funny last night, where three or four people were picked on television, probably from 100 who were interviewed, to draw a line on the map of Ireland to show where the North was. We saw where those lines were drawn. That was a British media spin in conjunction with the British Government and it is a full-on drive by the English to portray Ireland as not counting and that ordinary English people do not even know where the Border is. They are adopting a divide and conquer approach. We need to take the same stance. I am not asking for any Minister who has anything to do with Brexit to come in here for the next two weeks because they need to be where they need to be. We need to make our stance, dig in and put on the green jersey for the next two weeks. There is no point in having a debate like Members did yesterday on losing a banking institute on the toss of a coin. Crying over spilled milk will do no good. We need our media to come out fighting and take the same attitude. We can get headlines in newspapers in America over trivial things. The world's media need to see that Ireland is important. The genuine people of England, when there is no spin involved and when it is not being orchestrated and stage managed, do know where the Border is and do know where Ireland is. I note DUP politicians came out with a similar line this morning with a portrayal that all that is wrong with us is that we have a chip on our shoulder because of what has gone before in history. One and all here in Ireland, political, media and the man in the street, need to put on the green jersey for the next two weeks and we do not need to have any regrets when the summit is over on 14 December.
By way of clarification, if I heard the Senator correctly, did he say he was seconding Senator Mark Daly?
I asked that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine be called into the House.
Senator Paul Daly supported that call but, to clarify, there was no formal amendment to the Order of Business.
I formally propose that.
The Senator cannot propose it now. Is it proposed again?
I formally propose it.
I will accept that. Is the proposal seconded?
I second it.
Ba mhaith liom focal nó dhó a rá faoin Seanadóir Norris freisin. I just wanted to congratulate Senator Norris on a significant personal milestone. I am sure it means the world to him to have all of us queuing up to throw rose petals at his feet. No one is worthier in this Chamber because it is a special day for Senator Norris. Many other Members know him much better and much longer and are much more authoritative in their assertions. While there are many issues where he and I would diverge in our opinion, there are many more where we are completely in concert. As a voice for progress and voice for social justice in Ireland he and I are very much at one.
Given the subject matter and the contributions in recent weeks and months, I bring to Members' attention the Gaelic Voices For Change initiative. Past and present GAA county players will sleep out to raise awareness of the escalating housing and homeless crisis in Ireland. The event is supported by the Gaelic Players Association and the Women's Gaelic Players Association. They have announced that sleep-outs will take place in Dublin, Belfast, Portlaoise, Galway, Cork, Limerick, and Carlow. More locations will be announced in the coming days. Players and squads wishing to register can do so online until next Monday. They are also looking for help and volunteer action in respect of tea and coffee, food, sleeping bags, music and everything else that can be done to assist them to highlight a serious issue that blights our society. As we head into the Christmas period in particular, though it should always be to the fore of our minds, it shows an example of the best of the GAA and that Gaelic ethos that county players, both current and former from across the various codes, are queuing up to take part in this initiative on 16 December. I am flagging this to Members to encourage them to look out for it in their local area and to lend it whatever support they can and to allow it to act as a reminder to us who actually have a degree of influence and political clout to do more in respect of our homelessness crisis.
I join with all my colleagues in congratulating our good friend and Father of the House on his 30 years and seven months. It is a great record. Senator Paddy Burke will be trying to catch up with him. He mentioned the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. I did not realise the Cathaoirleach was the Holy Ghost.
I thought it was obvious.
I wish himself and Senator Paddy Burke well too. I hope that Senator Norris will be here for many years to come and I hope to spend a few years here myself with him. We are all willing to serve. There have been many stories about David. Senator Paddy Burke told me a good one about times past when turf was being brought up to that big house Senator Norris is maintaining on North Great Georges Street.
When one is in the Chair and Senator Norris is in full flow at whatever stage of a Bill, it can be a trying experience. He tested me once or twice when I was up there as Chair. We enjoyed it. He was always good and gave great value. He was very insightful when he got into the detail of whatever he was dealing with. It is true that he has been a very true Trinity stalwart. He has upheld the position with great dignity. Please God we will all be around here for another while longer.
I join other colleagues in paying tribute to our good friend and colleague, Senator Norris. He is the longest serving Senator since 1937, which is a great record to have. In paying tribute to him, as has been stated here, he was the champion of the underdog. He always took on causes that were not popular. As we all know, there was no sex in Ireland until 6 July 1962 when Gay Byrne and the "Late Late Show" came about and there were no gays in Ireland until 30 years and seven months ago, when Senator Norris started campaigning for equal rights in our society. I wish him well. As a conservative liberal, which is how I classify myself, I disagree with much of what he stands for. However, I stand for his right to campaign for it.
It is does not interfere with our friendship.
Certainly not. I wish him many more years in this House in the future and like Senator Coghlan, I would like to spend a good few of those along with him if that is possible. That is up to our colleagues that elect us here.
As for the wives and partners of the Defence Forces personnel who are mounting a 24-hour campaign, they have a genuine concern and that has been outlined in this House on many occasions by myself, Senators Craughwell and McFadden and others.
Shortly after completing their training recruits are leaving because they cannot afford to live and their families cannot survive on the wages that they are being paid. Until we stand up to that fact their departure will continue. There are difficulties in all sections of the Defence Forces. Until that is tackled those difficulties will continue.
I have a lot of time for the Minister of State at the Department of Defence, Deputy Kehoe. However, I am very much afraid that he has not been given the full facts. We have all witnessed in recent times what happens to the person who has political responsibility in a Department when he or she is not given the full facts. I do not want to see the same happen to him. I ask the Leader to relay to him the urgency of this situation and second the amendment to the Order of Business.
What can one say about David as he marks 30 years and seven months? First, I say ad multos annos.
I am not sure that David and I are that much closer to a meeting of minds on many admittedly significant issues. He has certainly grown on me in the ten years that I have known him since being elected to the Seanad and I would like to think that I have grown on David as well. I have thought and have often said that he is a very fine example of the potential for the Seanad. I also think that there are many things on which we agree. I suspect that we both have an admiration for Pope John XXIII, for example.
Very much.
It was Pope John XXIII who thanked the Lord that he was not a liberal in his youth so that he was not a conservative in his old age.
Clearly, I am told.
I thought the Senator might like my example. Congratulations, David. I thank the Senator for all of the good that he does and I hope he will continue his good work.
I do not know whether David would agree with me on the following. I know that he has been a critic of the abuses perpetrated by the media from time to time. I do not know what he thinks of the report produced by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment on the proposed broadcasting charge. I think it is a very serious development. We had a situation where the Minister, in a previous Government, thought about introducing a broadcasting charge but the idea appeared to wane. The report seems to put the idea very much back on the agenda.
The idea of expanding the term television set to include laptops, computers and, potentially, iPads would mean that even if a person does not consume televised content and instead opted for Netflix or got news by reading online newspapers, he or she would still be forced to pay an RTÉ tax even if he or she never used its services. Virtually every person in the country has a computer, a laptop or an iPad for work or day-to-day communications. If the licence fee is re-designed to apply to virtually every person in the country whether they watch television or not then we should be honest with the public. We should tell them that the Minister is introducing a new tax and not a fee for using a particular service. To confirm that suspicion the committee has recommended that the Revenue Commissioners should collect the new broadcast tax. Such an initiative would completely ignore how people consume entertainment and information. It is extraordinary to suggest that a person with no television who has a paid online subscription to an entertainment service like Netflix or an online subscription to The Irish Times, for example, would be forced to pay for services provided by RTÉ that the person might neither want nor use. The initiative will distort the media market in Ireland and create real difficulties for online content providers. It would also be deeply anti-competitive.
Is it fair to be obliged to pay for the television programme called "Fair City"? I have no problem will allocating money from the public purse for particular services that the likes of RTÉ could provide. One could put a value on RTÉ's news service, for example, the "Six One News", and allocate a certain amount of millions of euro. One could pay for "The Late Late Toy Show" if it is considered to have significant public merit. The idea that RTÉ would continue to enjoy the double advantage of both having State funding and being able to earn hundreds of millions in advertising revenue is still unfair. RTÉ has 2,000 staff who earn €53,000 per year on average. Frankly, RTÉ has a track record of bias on a range of issues that it has done little to address. It is not right to introduce a new means of taxation when RTÉ has been forced to admit that some of its presenters are paid between €400,000 and €500,000 per year. RTÉ has often been found out by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland for its lack of fairness and impartiality. There has been no talk of reform. Instead, there has been talk about giving RTÉ a special new stealth tax. I do not think that the Irish public will stand for a new tax and I certainly do not think it is fair. I would be grateful if the Leader could arrange a debate on the topic
I want to be associated with all of the good wishes extended to Senator Norris. I commend him on his long service. When I reflected on his service I realised that he has been involved in politics for four decades that spanned the 1980s, the 1990s, the noughties and now this decade. He has made a substantial contribution and we have witnessed exciting changes in Ireland over the period. I may not agree with everything that he says but I believe it is extremely important that we have diverse views. I worry about the imbalances in Irish society. We need people to challenge viewpoints but we also need to respect each other's views.
As a politician people contact us when they want to visit the Houses of the Oireachtas and, invariably, one takes them to the Members' restaurant. I know from experience that the first person people want to meet is David Norris. He has his own table in the restaurant so people know where he sits and visitors ask to be introduced to him.
Maybe others have referenced Bloomsday and Joyce. I associate the Senator with James Joyce. Senator Norris has probably made a contribution to Ireland's GDP in terms of Bloomsday tourism. It is significant. I have tried to read Ulysses many times. Like many, I have read some of the other books, which I can grasp, but I find Ulysses difficult. I enjoy the language, but politics is not conducive to giving the time for the periods of reflection that would be needed while reading it.
I wish the Senator well. Like my colleagues, Senators Paddy Burke and Coghlan, I do not doubt that Senator Norris will be around for many years to come. He is an institution.
I thank the Senator very much.
Senator Ned O’Sullivan
On behalf of the liberal liberal wing of Fianna Fáil, and on my own behalf-----
The neoliberal wing.
Senator Ned O’Sullivan
It is probably the same thing. I am delighted to have the opportunity to congratulate Senator Norris on a remarkable achievement. Apart from the fun and everything else, he will go down in the history books and be remembered for a long time for the fearless way in which he championed the rights of the gay community. Through his lead, he has made the enjoyment of life possible for thousands and thousands of gay men and women.
I was probably a college student when Senator Norris was busy in his project centre in Temple Bar. He was fighting a hard battle and did not have much support from any wings of the establishment, but he did it anyway. It must have been a wonderful example for people who were in the closet. Rightly so, because there was no tolerance shown at all for members of the gay community. I salute the Senator for that.
I also salute him for his erudition. He is an adornment to the Seanad. Whenever he is on his feet, visitors get great value. There is no doubt about that – he is the star of the show. He is a good advertisement for the Seanad and what it can achieve.
The Cathaoirleach gave me a bad fright. I was watching this on television. I knew that Senator Norris was alive because I had seen him in the corridor. Perish the thought, but I then wondered whether the Senator had resigned.
Never.
Senator Ned O’Sullivan
I am glad to find out that this is just a happy occasion.
Before concluding, and speaking as a half-Corkman, I congratulate the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, on being elevated to the position of Tánaiste. I am not in any great hurry for this, but I also welcome in prospect the elevation of his constituency colleague, Deputy Micheál Martin, to be the next Cork Taoiseach in the footsteps of the great Jack Lynch.
The Senator will be waiting for that.
I congratulate Senator Norris and wish him well. When I first met him, he had come to Boyle for the arts festival. He performed his James Joyce show. I am one of those Senators who tried to read Ulysses, but it was above me. Senator Norris entertained. His language was magical. He made James Joyce much more approachable to middle Ireland. He was ahead of the curve.
I wish to God he was my teacher many years ago as I might have had a decent job rather than ending up a politician. He was eccentric and in the vanguard of the gay civil rights movement in Ireland, for which he will be remembered as well.
Senator Norris was always very helpful when I came into the Seanad. He would sit behind me telling me to keep standing and to keep talking. I think most Senators appreciate that he took the time to be friendly and helpful.
I have one funny story which Senator Norris does not know. Two years ago we were going to the American ambassador's residence for the 4 July party. In front of our car was an old-fashioned car. Security personnel were checking cars for explosives. Senator Norris jumped out of the car and said, "It is not my car." If it was anyone else, there would have been a security alert. However, everyone looked around and said, "That's only David Norris; it's okay." We were laughing in the back of the car.
Senator Daly is absolutely right. We are in an interesting and dangerous situation regarding Brexit. I hope there will be a deal. We have to put on the record of the Seanad again, however, that Ireland is on par with the United Kingdom for the first time in 800 years and that power and influence must be used in a correct way. We must work together in the United Kingdom and Europe to ensure that whatever happens is as good a deal for the United Kingdom, Europe and ourselves. We are in a very eventful situation for the future of the island of Ireland and, if it is handled right, we can influence things not just in the UK and Europe but around the world. We are in a very influential and interesting situation.
We are running out of time and I have six more speakers. However, I will not stymie anyone today. Senator Norris also has to come in. I call Senator Murnane O'Connor. She might try to be brief.
I offer my support to those representing the Defence Forces who are picketing outside today. I hope that the Minister will listen to them.
It is a great honour and achievement for Senator Norris to have been a Senator for 30 years and seven months. He can be really proud of himself.
Today I want to highlight White Ribbon Ireland. This is the national movement of the world's largest male-led campaign to end men's violence against women, with a presence in more than 60 countries,. I spoke in Carlow College this week as part of an action day for the campaign and I was reminded of a quote of Oscar-winning actor Jeff Bridges: "It's not enough to just treat women well. We have to work to make sure all men treat women well." The aims of the white ribbon campaign are to encourage education and leadership in order to change the attitudes and behaviour that lead to men's violence against women by educating boys and men to lead social change and to achieve gender equality. Often we hear the female side of the issue but we cannot exclude men from the conversation. We all need to join in the conversation and contribute if we are to change the narrative. We need to find ways to say that there is never an excuse for abuse. We need to stop disrespectful behaviour by saying that it is never acceptable.
Is the Senator calling for a debate on it?
I call Senator Kevin Humphreys.
I wish to join in the tributes to my colleague, Senator Norris, and wish him good wishes from St. Andrew's resource centre. Senator Norris made Joyce accessible to many people from the inner city. People always looked forward to seeing Senator Norris at St. Andrew's on Bloomsday, which he did for many years. I have also been asked to convey the good wishes of Ger and Martha Siggins today. I congratulate the Senator. He should celebrate this and I say to him, "Onwards and upwards."
I am sure Senator Lombard will be every bit as brief.
As always, a Chathaoirligh. First, I concur with Senators in the warm wishes to Senator Norris. Thirty years and seven months is a fantastic achievement. Congratulations to him.
Since I have been so brief, I will sum up by congratulating my parish and county man, Deputy Simon Coveney, on his achievement of being appointed Tánaiste today.
Hear, hear.
I wish him the best of luck. He will do a fantastic job. It is a great honour for our part of the world, Cork. It is not only a geographical issue though. I think he will be a capable and appropriate Tánaiste in light of where we are in terms of Brexit and his foreign affairs portfolio.
I am sure there will be a parish celebration.
We will light a bonfire.
I call Senator Robbie Gallagher.
I, too, would like to be associated with the remarks about Senator Norris. Like other Members, I have only known him since I was elected to the House some 18 months ago. I have enjoyed his contributions. He is very witty. Of his many qualities, I mention his light-hearted attitude to life and everything he does. We could all learn from it.
While I am on my feet and contemplating the plights of great men, on the stony grey soil of Monaghan people will gather today to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of the well-known poet, Patrick Kavanagh. Patrick Kavanagh was born in the village of Inishkeen. He became a world-renowned poet and has left a legacy of poems that we can all enjoy. For such a small county, Monaghan seems to have an art for producing men of great talents across all fields. It is right that we would acknowledge his legacy. We can enjoy it for many generations to come.
I, too, join in the tributes to Senator Norris. He has made a huge contribution to public life in the country. When he started out, it would not have been easy to raise the many issues which he did raise. Over the years, the change he sought has occurred and long may he continue to raise such issues. While we may sometimes sit back and say it is for someone else, he has always been to the forefront in identifying issues and ensuring that views different to ours are aired. I thank him for his contribution to public life over the past 30 years.
I also join with colleagues in paying tribute to my county colleague, Deputy Simon Coveney, on his appointment as Tánaiste. He will carry out his duties, as he has in all his ministerial portfolios, in a dedicated and committed way. It is also appropriate that I would congratulate my legal colleague, Deputy Josepha Madigan, who has been promoted to the Cabinet. That is also a very good appointment. She has a huge contribution to make and I look forward to working with her.
The GP contract negotiations were raised yesterday at the Joint Committee on Health. I am very concerned about how long this is taking the Department of Health. We need a proper contract for GPs. Scotland is facing a shortage of more than 1,000 doctors. A new contract which will be quite attractive to Irish doctors has now been brought forward, so we need to get our act together. It might be appropriate to have the Minister in not before Christmas but in the new year to discuss this issue and all of the issues being raised by GPs can be considered.
I had closed my allocations but since Senator James Reilly, a senior figure in his party, has come in and wants to speak, I will allow him in for a brief moment.
I thank the Cathaoirleach for his courtesy and latitude. I congratulate Senator Norris on being the longest serving Senator. He has seen considerable social change and fought for most of it himself. I am sure it is a matter of great pleasure for him to look back and see the changes wrought, including the decriminalisation of homosexuality and the introduction of marriage equality as well as many other changes of a much more general nature.
I also add my voice to those who congratulated the new Tánaiste, Deputy Simon Coveney, as well as Deputy Josepha Madigan on her rise to Cabinet. I wish them both well.
I will be very quick but I will echo what Senator Burke mentioned. There is absolutely no doubt that we have a serious problem attracting general practitioners into our service.
A story on the front page of today's edition of the Irish Independent reports that it could now be up to a week before a person can see his or her GP. The issue needs to be urgently and aggressively addressed.
The final word for Senator Norris.
I strongly support the comments of Senator Gavan in respect of President Trump's vicious tweet. The most sinister thing was that his spokesperson said it does not matter whether the videos are genuine or not.
I am very embarrassed but also flattered and pleased by the statements and comments of my very many generous friends in Seanad Éireann. Friendship and fun are the two things I have gotten most from the Seanad. I do not have a single enemy in the House. There are items on which Senators disagree but it would be extremely dull if we did not. However, any disagreement is discussed without any sense of partisanship.
None of this recognition would have been made if it were not for Ger Siggins as I did not know I was the longest-serving Senator but Mr. Siggins tweeted about it. It has been a great honour for me to have served with people such as Mary Robinson, Gordon Wilson, Joe O'Toole and many others, including all the current Members of the House. I served with Tras Honan, Sean Fallon as Cathaoirleach, Seán Doherty, Liam Cosgrave, Liam Naughten, who was tragically killed in a car crash, Senator Paddy Burke, who was here earlier and was a wonderful Cathaoirleach, Pat Moylan, Rory Kiely and the current Cathaoirleach, who has been one of the best Cathaoirligh because, although he comes from a Fianna Fáil background, he has shown complete political indifference and has treated everybody extremely fairly. There have been many fine Leaders of the House, including the current holder of that office, Senator Buttimer, who has done a very distinguished job. There have been other Leaders, such as Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, who I was very sorry to see have to leave ministerial office this week, and Maurice Manning, who is another very fine person.
I was glad to be in a position to help in a fairly significant way to save the Seanad. It would have been dreadful if the House had been lost. On Tuesday last the Domestic Violence Bill, which is very important legislation, went through Committee Stage in the House and Senators had a tremendous impact on it. It is now radically different and has been immensely strengthened as a result of its passage through the House. Each of the Senators representing Trinity College had amendments to the Bill accepted, which is remarkable.
I thank all Members very much. I am flattered and humbled. I had to wipe away a tear but it was a tear of laughter at the wonderfully funny things some Senators said about me. I am very honoured to have represented the graduates of Trinity College for so many years and I hope to go on doing so. I said to my very fine colleague, Senator Bacik, that I am going to reprint her glowing tribute on my next ballot paper. That might be a little unfair so I will not do it.
I have no objection.
I pay particular thanks to the Cathaoirleach and the Leader, Senator Buttimer.
Deputy Norris has been an icon during my time in the Seanad. He had difficult days under the chairmanship of the late Seán Doherty. I will not recount those days but they were-----
We had a principled disagreement and Seán Doherty did nothing about it. Other parties saw there was an opportunity to do me in but I won. However, I refused to give evidence for The Sunday Times because I would not give evidence for a newspaper owned by Rupert Murdoch against an Irish citizen. It did not end my friendship with Seán Doherty. He was remarkably witty, and certainly a rogue.
Deputy Norris is on par with him in that regard. The Leader to respond.
I thank the 22 Members who contributed and I join with all Members in commending and offering felicitations and tributes to the father of the House, Seanadóir David Norris. Ar mo shon féin agus ar son Pháirtí Fhine Gael, gabhaim buíochas leis agus déanaim comhghairdeas leis as ucht an mhéid seirbhíse atá déanta aige ar son toghthóirí na Tríonóide. Senator Norris is renowned for his Joycean scholarship. A Joyce quote I like and which I think pertains to the Senator is: "As I am. As I am. All or not at all". That encapsulates Senator Norris: one can fight, argue, debate or socialise with him but he is who he is, all or not at all. There can be no ambiguity or anything to say other than that Senator Norris is a scholar, as politician, a person of independence of mind and a champion of civil rights for over four decades. I am becoming a little emotional because it is due to the efforts of people such as Senator Norris that people like me can get married in this country.
Hear, hear.
As many Senators said, he was a champion, a hero and brave and courageous at a time when it was very unpopular for him to be so. Many admired and modelled themselves upon him and joined his fight. Some might have done so belatedly while others did not join at all because they were afraid and did not have Senator Norris' courage to go to Europe or elsewhere for what he deemed right. When the footnotes of Irish history are written, Senator Norris will be noted as a rock, a lighthouse and a shining jewel for the way in which he helped to save our country and transform it, not in one act but in many, as many Senators have said.
I thank the Senator on my own behalf for what he has done, not least being returned to the Seanad on eight occasions, which, in spite of the wiliness of the Cathaoirleach and Senators Paddy Burke, Coghlan and Wilson, is an extraordinary act. I hope many of us will be able to emulate that feat not only in the Seanad but also in the Lower House. It is important that the Senator's electoral record is acknowledged and that tributes are paid to him and also to his administrative assistant, Ms Miriam Smith, for the work she has done. She has always been with the Senator and has stood beside, worked with and challenged him.
She has done so for almost 23 years.
I thank Ms Smith for her work.
Enough has been said. The Senator should go and celebrate. His record speaks for itself. His generosity of person is notable. As Senator Paddy Burke rightly said, when anybody comes into the House the Senator is always willing to have his photograph taken and is always pleasant, amicable and a gentleman. Like Senator Mullen, I wish him multos annos or many more years. I too wish Pope John XXIII was still with us as that would be a wonderful model of church to follow.
It would be a miracle.
It would be a miracle but it would be his model of church.
We have a good new Pope.
We hope that Senator Norris stays with us for many more years. His work and legacy will be remembered and admired by all. Go raibh míle maith agat.
Senators Craughwell, Wilson, McFadden and Murnane O'Connor raised the issue of the Defence Forces. It is regrettable that there are members of the Defence Forces and their families outside the gates of the Oireachtas today. However, it is worth setting the record straight in so far as there has been a record level of recruitment in recent times, with 800 people recruited this year. This is the second year in a row that there has been a cadet class of 100. Last year, more people joined the Defence Forces than left it and Senator Craughwell should remember that. The pay rates for members of the Defence Forces have begun to increase.
When Senators speak about the Defence Forces it is important to remember and acknowledge the role that those men and women play in our country and across the world. I acknowledge and pay tribute to them and their families for the service they have given. They are entitled to pay restoration, which is taking place, and pay increases, which are being made and will continue to be made. It is equally important to recognise that the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, and the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, are committed to resolving the issues raised by many Senators this morning and on an ongoing basis. In the context of the members of the Defence Forces who, unfortunately, are in receipt of family income supplement, although we accept none should be, only 1.3% of the Defence Forces are currently in receipt of it. Let us, and Senators Craughwell and Leyden in particular, be objective about this.
I could take a party political position on this issue but I will not do so because it relates to the Defence Forces for whom we have great respect. We want pay restoration to continue. It is important, therefore, that we continue to work collectively to ensure this is achieved and the Defence Forces are given due recognition. I remember when family members of Defence Forces members ran in general elections against Senator Leyden's party. He should cast his mind back to that.
I accept Senator Paul Daly's amendment to the Order of the Business. While I would be happy for the Minister to come to the House to debate the important matter the Senator raised, he cannot do so today. I ask the Senator to accept a debate on the issue on Tuesday instead.
Senator Mark Daly referred to rural development, GLAS payments and the need to reform the Common Agricultural Policy. Certain remarks were attributed to the agriculture Commissioner, Mr. Phil Hogan. I would be happy to have a debate on the issue in the coming weeks. I will not give a long-winded answer on the issues the Senator raised but it will be important to have a debate.
I join Senators Bacik, Gavan and Norris in condemning the tweets, remarks and inferences of President Trump. This type of rhetoric, whether in a tweet, comment or speech, has no place in society or a modern democracy. We must promote integration and brotherhood and sisterhood, rather than dividing nations and people. The remarks were ill-tempered and have no place in politics. All of us should condemn them and I am glad Prime Minister May condemned them this morning. It beggars belief that President Trump can be allowed to continue to make such remarks. I know we live in a democracy and we have freedom of speech and thought but the President's behaviour was outlandish. I have no interest in seeing anyone trying to condone it because it cannot be condoned.
Senators O'Reilly, Paul Daly and Feighan raised the issue of Brexit, on which I will be pleased to facilitate a debate. I was endeavouring to have a debate on Brexit next week but the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, will be away next week. Perhaps we can find a means of having this important debate, which was outlined very well in the contributions of Senators. The Brexit negotiations are critical to the country. As we all know, the issue of the island of Ireland is fundamentally important in the negotiations and Irish people, North and South, and the Government are very cognisant of this. We cannot place in jeopardy the cross-Border co-operation taking place in 141 separate areas. We cannot put North-South relations and the entire island at risk. I commend Senators on offering their support on this issue and on the positive, affirming and determined rhetoric they used this morning. This is about us, as a nation, North and South, standing together from the point of view of trade, integration and people. For example, 40% of the milk processed in Ireland goes back and forth across the Border and 100,000 cattle cross the Border to be finished. Brexit will have profound impacts on economics, tourism, Border communities and the island as a whole. I will try to arrange a debate for next week or the week after.
I join Senators, in particular Senator Lombard, on congratulating my colleague and friend, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Simon Coveney, on his appointment as Tánaiste. His appointment is a tremendous honour for him personally, the Fine Gael Party in Cork South-Central, of which both he and I are members, and County Cork. The county now has its second Tánaiste, after the late Peter Barry. I will not go as far as Senator O'Sullivan in calling for another Cork man to be Taoiseach. I hope the Taoiseach and Tánaiste will continue in their roles and the latter will be joined in the Dáil by a willing accomplice and candidate in Cork South-Central. The appointment is a tremendous honour for the Tánaiste and his family and I congratulate him, Ruth, his wife, and members of his extended family.
I also wish the Minister, Deputy Josepha Madigan, every success in her new role. She is a formidable and excellent Member of the Lower House where she has, as previous speakers stated, made a significant contribution. I wish her well. I also congratulate the new Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Heather Humphreys, on her appointment. Given the importance of Brexit, her position in an economic Ministry highlights the need for continuing dialogue on the Border region. I wish her well in that regard.
I will be happy to have a debate on electricity, as requested by Senator Paddy Burke.
Senator Gabrielle McFadden raised a disturbing issue related to Simon Community accommodation in the midlands. Perhaps it would be addressed quicker if raised as a Commencement matter but I will try to arrange a debate.
I join Senator Ó Donnghaile in congratulating Gaelic Voices for Change on its sleep-out to highlight the issue of homelessness. We should all highlight this important issue, on which we can expect the Government to take further action. Visibility is also required.
Senator Mullen raised the licence fee and RTÉ. He has raised this issue previously and I am aware that the former Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr. Pat Rabbitte, considered the possibility of introducing a broadcasting charge. I do not necessarily agree with the Senator on the issue of "Fair City" because it is important that we have home produced drama and other productions, not least because they create employment for people in the arts community. However, the Senator makes a good point on the use of the television licence fee. I do not fully agree with RTÉ's editorial policy or production ideas but it is important that, as the State broadcaster, the organisation is independent. If I am correct, the Senator asked that we examine how RTÉ spends income from the licence fee. In the modern era, people use various devices such as iPads and smartphones to watch television. I will probably be accused of being a spoilsport but perhaps we need to consider reducing the licence fee and having a different type of fee. The Government is examining this issue on which we need to have a debate. I accept the point the Senator made.
Senator Murnane O'Connor raised the important issue of domestic violence, specifically violence by men against women and the white ribbon campaign. We all agree on the need to eradicate domestic violence. In recent weeks, we have seen controversies involving behaviour that we cannot condone. This matter is also of major importance. The House had a strong debate on the Domestic Violence Bill and it is important that we work to eliminate all types of mistreatment or inequality.
On the day that we pay tribute to Senator Norris, we also remember Patrick Kavanagh. I was tempted earlier to quote to Senator Norris the following line from Kavanagh that I like - "Every old man I see in October-coloured weather" - but I did not wish to suggest he is in an old man.
At 73 years of age, I am an old man.
While Senator Norris may not be a father, he is the father of the House and, to be fair to him, he has been a father to all of us.
Senators Colm Burke and James Reilly raised the general practitioner contract, an important issue on which we need to have a debate.
I hope Senators will allow a change to the Order of Business next Tuesday and thank them in advance for doing so. The reason we are proposing to amend Tuesday's Order of Business is that the Seanad Public Consultation Committee will sit earlier to meet a number of witnesses who are unable to attend in the afternoon. It was envisaged that the committee would sit for the entire day and the Seanad would not sit. I thank Senators Mark Daly and Coghlan and Ms Bridget Doody who have done a great deal of work on the Seanad Public Consultation Committee. We had hoped the House would not sit on Tuesday but unfortunately certain witnesses could not appear on Tuesday afternoon. I propose, therefore, that Commencement matters will not be taken on Tuesday afternoon and the House will sit from 3.30 p.m. to facilitate the committee.
On a point of clarification, I did not ask that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade come to the House for a debate on Brexit next week. I specifically stated that the last thing we wanted was for Ministers to come to the House for statements if they need to be away on business playing the game that must be played for the next two weeks. We are all on the same page on this issue. I indicated that we know where the Minister's priorities lie for the next two weeks and he should not come to the House.
That is clear and I will deal with that issue when I have made one final comment on Senator Norris.
There was a real chance, according to the bookies, that he might have ended up in a different House six years ago. He would have been very curtailed and restrained there had that been so and I do not think that he would be having as much fun.
No, I am very happy to be here.
Senator Paul Daly has moved an amendment to the Order of Business: "That a debate with the Minister for Rural and Community Development on the shortfall in funding for the rural development plan be taken today." The Leader has kindly suggested that we hold a debate on this next week. That being acceptable, the proposal is withdrawn until next week.
Order of Business agreed to.