Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators who contributed to the Order of Business. The first speaker was Senator McGahon, who made an interesting point around parental leave for 26 weeks. The Senator would like the period during which that leave can be accessed to be extended in order that adults caring for children with a disability or a long-term illness can take it up until the child reaches 18 years of age. The proposal merits consideration.

Senator Fitzpatrick welcomed the new inner city task force. She made the point that further recommendations, reports and talking about it are not what the people there are looking for. They want cleaner, safer and move liveable communities and she made a specific request for dedicated gardaí to be active in the inner city. She also welcomed the report from SIPTU on safety on public transport, which, in her view, mirrors the public consultation conducted by Fianna Fáil two years ago. That consultation revealed that people do not feel safe on certain parts of our public transport system. The Senator reiterated her call and that of Fianna Fáil for a dedicated public transport police force.

Senator Keogan spoke about the national conservatism event that was due to take place in Brussels and that was blocked or cancelled. She mentioned cancel culture. We have spoken about this issue in the Chamber previously with regard to other topics, and there is certainly an issue with cancel culture. People are afraid to speak on certain issues or to express a view, depending on where they are. My views on that angle are well known. I think people should be able to speak freely without fear and should be able to express their views and opinions as they see fit. That is part of a functioning democracy. The Senator mentioned the hate speech Bill. This has been one piece of legislation in respect of which the House has really shown its value. Were it not for the work of Senators on both sides of the House, that Bill would be law by now because it would have been passed last summer. We have proven our value in terms of checks and balances, which are very much alive and well. My view is that both Government and Opposition Senators are doing their job effectively, so I disagree with the Senator's assertion that the Seanad is a rubber-stamping Chamber.

I will respond to the points made by Senators McDowell and Craughwell. The motion being taken today is to refer the draft migration pact to committee for discussion, which is the normal procedure. We will have a debate in the House with the Minister for Justice on 2 May - she will be in the Dáil on the previous evening - so we will have an opportunity to have a discussion on it. To suggest that the Seanad is a rubber-stamping Chamber does all of us a disservice because it is certainly not how I view this House or my role as a Senator. Over this term, we have shown this in the context of various items of legislation. I refer, for example, to the policing Bill, in respect of which changes were achieved as well. That is not to say that you get everything you want all of the time, but there have been many instances where Senators have proven that this House does its job well and effects the checks and balances the public want. Many amendments come from this House and make it into final legislation. If we were not here, that would not have happened.

We are very lucky to have a good functioning democracy. Very few countries in the world have what we have. It is important to acknowledge that we have free and open elections, that people can speak freely and that we have a free media. People might not always agree with it, but journalists are empowered and are free to ask the questions they want to ask even though at times it might be deeply uncomfortable for the people being asked those questions. In that context, I do think we have a healthy and functioning democracy. That is not to say that we do not need to protect it and be mindful of that. That involves including and listening to all voices and making sure people can have their say at all levels.

Senator Wall spoke about electricity credits. I take on board his point that some people are being directed to speak to their providers when they should just be getting the credit. An unfortunate situation arose whereby somebody was under pressure to pay a bill they did not owe. Nobody should be in that situation. Overall, the energy credits that were put in place by the Government have worked well in terms of offsetting a significant increase in energy costs mainly due to the war in Ukraine and Russia turning off the gas tap. There were genuine fears two years ago that we would not be able to keep the lights on. In light of the extraordinary circumstances the Government had to deal with, it did well in protecting the most vulnerable and trying to offset some of the significant increases in household bills. We want to do more, however, and we will continue to do more.

The Senator has raised housing adaptation grants on a number of occasions. This is a challenge across the board where what is available is not meeting the cost of doing the work. I know that the Minister is working on that. I appreciate that people are working for work to be done. I know that it is not just an issue in Kildare; it is across the board.I take on board the Senator's comments on jobseeker's allowance and benefit, the occasional friction with getting carer's allowance, and people being put through the mill in that regard. Our carers deserve full appreciation and respect. Things should be made as easy as possible to try to provide that care to family members and loved ones.

Senator Ruane spoke about Academics for Palestine on behalf of the Civil Engagement Group. I take on board her point that being silent and not taking action is an action in itself because it is inaction. The House has been very strong across the board in condemning the acts of Hamas on 7 October, but since then there have been highly disproportionate genocidal acts by Israel against the people of Gaza. We are united in our condemnation of murder, killing and the starvation of children. There is no excuse or justification for that. We all want a ceasefire now, in addition to a peaceful, two-state solution.