Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like other Members who have spoken on the banking inquiry, I congratulate all of the Senators who put in more than 400 hours' work, including during holiday periods and the summer recess. They have put in the effort. The result might not be exactly what everybody wants because we would all like to see inquiries being able to make findings of fact more than recommendations. Senator Barrett has issued a separate paper which would make good reading. I will bring it to the attention of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party because I respect his views. His approach is preferable to those who jump up and down about the inquiry and say that it should have done something that it could not possibly do because, at every turn, the hands of members were tied behind their backs as a result of threats of legal or other action. I accept that we must have a separation of powers between the State and the Judiciary but I believe it would be good if we could make available more powers for internal inquiries such as the banking inquiry. That is something the next Government should consider.

I rise today to bring to the attention of the House a problem that has arisen with the mosquito. Members might not think that we have mosquitoes in Ireland but we do and it has been found that the Zika virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, can cause birth defects. The virus was previously confined to South American countries but a new case has been found in Denmark and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued an alert because three cases have also been identified in the UK. With the summer Olympics coming up in Brazil, everybody should be warned, especially women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant, who travel on holidays or for work reasons to countries in South America. The virus can survive in water under plants and can cause birth defects. Recently, more than 1,000 babies have been born with microcephaly in the countries affected. A person in Denmark is currently being treated. There is no cure but the condition can be prevented. Caution is advised. I raise this issue because there are mosquitoes in Ireland. I do not intend to scare people, because the Zika virus in not present in this country, but there are three cases of the virus in the UK and citizens should be on the alert and make sure when they travel that they have protection against mosquitoes.