Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senators Conway and Dolan raised the fact that after 91 years of excellent work, the NCBI has changed its name to Vision Ireland. Senator Conway said the latest census shows there has been a 400% increase in the number of people who are visually impaired. The fact that we have an older population means we are bound to have issues such as this. It is a concern when we have 300,000 people with some type of sight loss. I agree that we need to have a proper strategy for early detection and to help eliminate preventable blindness. Senator Conway asked for a debate on the need for such a strategy. We will certainly ask for this. Senator Dolan spoke about the NCBI shops and how by using these and other charity shops we help the circular economy and help organisations such as Vision Ireland with the excellent work they do.

Senator Dooley spoke about Emily Hand and the news we heard over the weekend that more than likely she is a hostage of Hamas. When the feeling was that she had been murdered in the kibbutz where she was staying with a friend overnight, I remember being shocked, appalled, upset and disappointed, as we all were, when her father said he was glad she had been murdered because he would hate to think of her being kidnapped by Hamas and subjected to awful torture and ordeals. All of these feelings came back again for all of us at the weekend. I have no doubt that there is an element of hope for her family that she is alive and that they will see her again. These are the faces behind the statistics relating to the hostages. Senator Dooley is right that everything that can be done must be done to ensure Emily and the other hostages are released. Everything must also be done to ensure our 40 Irish citizens living in Gaza have the opportunity to leave. Senator Dooley made the suggestion that the Israeli and Palestinian ambassadors come to the House. We would need the approval of the Seanad Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight to have this as a special Seanad address. I will discuss the matter with the Leader to see whether it will be possible.

Senator Dooley also mentioned that the Tánaiste is in China and referred to the importance of geopolitical issues now more than ever. I have to say that in the recent past I was very glad to hear the Tánaiste speak about human rights in China and about Taiwan and supporting the Taiwanese. It is important to be there and to be able to call it out.

Senator Clonan also spoke about children suffering in Gaza. When one looks at some of the photographs and at what we are seeing unfolding, it is absolutely heartbreaking. Earlier, I mentioned that there are faces behind the statistics. Senator Clonan mentioned a statistic that I heard over the weekend, which is absolutely frightening and appalling. Every five minutes a child dies in Gaza. Did any of us ever think we would be in a world where we would see this happening all over again?

Senator Clonan is correct to emphasise the importance of neutrality and our voice in global affairs. This is why we have such a strong voice in the world on human rights and humanitarian issues. We have to keep following what the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach have been saying. We need to have a humanitarian ceasefire. We need aid for Palestine. We need to have the hostages released.

Senator Sherlock spoke about bogus self-employment and the fact that we need to have a debate and legislation. It is important that we engage with the Minister on this.She also raised the concerning issue that different arms of the State and Departments have different definitions when it comes to self-employment or employment. It is important that there is continuity across government and its Departments. Of course, workers are at the heart of this and we need to be able to support them.

Senator McGreehan spoke about the awful situation in County Louth. I join her in commending all of those in the emergency services and the council workers who helped support those caught in this very difficult situation. The Government has extended emergency business flooding schemes to sports clubs and community and voluntary groups. Small businesses with a loss of more than €5,000 are covered and farming is a business as well. I find it hard to think that farming families and enterprises would be left outside of this scheme. We will look for clarification. We will also look for a debate on emergency planning because the Senator made a fair point. There are expectations of local authorities and of Civil Defence, which is a voluntary organisation. We must know what exactly the regulations are.

Senator Craughwell asked that we stop the appointment of the head of intelligence. There were two interventions from the floor by Senators Clonan and Seery Kearney, both of whom made very good points. What Senator Craughwell asked for is totally incorrect. It is inappropriate. We have equality of employment law and I will not bring that any further.

Senator Murphy spoke about farmers in the Callows area and in special areas of conservation and the plan at Cabinet today to help support them, which is good. He also looked for an agency for the River Shannon and asked for a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, who is responsible for the OPW. I agree. Sometimes there can be a piecemeal approach from a number of different organisations, which does not help anyone.

Senator Seery Kearney welcomed the voluntary guidelines around smartphone use that will be introduced for schools. This will support parents whose children are under peer pressure regarding the issue. A phone can be as dangerous as a loaded gun. We have seen devastating consequences of bullying, etc., online. I agree and support these guidelines.

Senator O'Sullivan spoke about gas and energy security, the memo in Cabinet today and about the expertise of a local company. From my understanding of what he said, it is not allowed to tender, which is shocking. I cannot understand why. I agree with him that it should be allowed to tender. That may be something we can take up with the Minister.

Senator Maria Byrne spoke about an issue with the offices of the Revenue Commissioners, particularly now that we are coming to the tax deadline. She is 100% correct. It is completely unsatisfactory that the offices are only open from 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m., I believe.