Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I dtosach báire, ba mhaith liom aitheantas a thabhairt go bhfuil réiteach gearr-thréimhseach sroichte ar an ngearchéim a bhaineann leis an seirbhís farantóireachta go hInis Mór. I want to recognise that there has been a temporary reprieve in the Inis Mór ferry service scenario, but there really needs to be a knuckling down now to make sure that it is settled on a longer-term basis.

I concur with the sentiments of Senator Ardagh on staffless libraries. We had a presentation in the AV room on that issue two weeks ago. I concur completely with the Senator that we do need a debate, and I think I called for it at the time, on the role of our library services and how they are going to be impacted by the staffless library system.

I cautiously welcome the announcement by the Minister, Deputy Naughten, on bin charges. This House can take credit for the bin charges being kicked to touch for six months, due to issues that we raised here in a number of debates with the Minister, Deputy Coveney. I do not believe that kicking it into touch for six months is the best scenario, however. Going into the summer period, we will have issues with bags and dumping, particularly in tourist areas where bags cannot be bought and tourists will not know where to dispose of their refuse. There are also still issues in some areas with monopoly scenarios being run by some companies.There is a lack of consistency in pricing policy throughout the country. Prices are different in almost every constituency to which one travels. Sinn Féin is in favour of going back to a local authority delivery of service. However, it would be a good idea for this House to have another debate on bin charges, with the Minister, Deputy Naughten, as opposed to waiting another six months to see how this issue can be resolved and to put forward positive proposals.

At this time of year, many of us will go to Christmas parties and restaurants but I have been contacted by a number of workers in the hospitality sector, particularly in Galway, who are being abused within that sector. I am hearing of cases of verbal abuse and payment and tips being withheld. I am also hearing of cases of sexual harassment and sexual abuse that go unreported. People are afraid to report them in case they get sacked. Those in temporary employment arrangements certainly find it difficult to do that. There are two sides to the hospitality sector. It is positive to see the improvements in the sector but we need to examine the workers' rights issues relating to it. I am of the view that it would be useful to have a debate on the abuse of workers in the hospitality sector in which we could examine all the issues. I would look to raise more such issues during that debate.