Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join Senator Mark Daly in welcoming the group from the Irish Deaf Society to the Visitors Gallery. The issue of funding for voluntary groups, particularly health groups such as the Neurological Alliance of Ireland and the Irish Deaf Society, was raised by colleagues on both sides of the House yesterday. In his response the Leader indicated that an appeals process was under way, overseen by Pobal, and that the deadline for applications was the end of the month. I understand it will take six to eight weeks for appeals to be heard. A large delegation from the Labour Party has met representatives of the Irish Deaf Society to discuss the issue. Everybody is concerned to ensure groups which are providing an excellent service will not have their funding discontinued. There is a bigger picture to consider in that substantial funding has been given to other groups which are also providing excellent services. I very much hope the review process being undertaken by Pobal will be fruitful for all concerned.

I again ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Charles Flanagan, to come to the House as soon as we return in September for a debate on the situation in the Middle East. We are all horrified and appalled by the heinous killing of four boys yesterday - two ten year olds, a nine year old and an 11 year old, all from the same extended family - who were playing football on a beach in Gaza. To hear Israeli Government spokespersons blaming Hamas for these heartbreaking deaths is very difficult to take. I welcome the ceasefire in place for a few hours today, but it is not enough to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza, more than 200 of whom have been killed in the appalling onslaught by Israel. I hope Ireland will be very active in the coming weeks in seeking to achieve a ceasefire on the Gaza Strip and a resolution of the conflict.

I welcome the publication of the report of the interdepartmental working group on mother and baby homes and the appointment of Judge Yvonne Murphy to chair the commission of investigation. She has an excellent track record, having chaired the commission of investigation into sexual abuse in the archdiocese of Dublin and produced a very strong report on that inquiry. She is an ideal choice to chair this commission.

The data we have seen, such as the number of deaths of infants and children in the homes and the number of adoptions carried out, shows we need a more in-depth investigation.

As it is the end of the session I wish everyone well. I know we will sit tomorrow but today we are having our last Order of Business, if the Leader's ordering is accepted. I wish everyone well for the recess ahead and thank the staff in the House, in the Seanad and the ushers. I wish everyone a very peaceful and rejuvenating holiday.