Seanad debates

Wednesday, 17 May 2017

10:30 am

Photo of Rose Conway WalshRose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I echo Senator Boyhan's concerns and support his call for the Minister for Health to explain to the House his plans regarding the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire. This is a serious issue that affects the entire country. I know people who are waiting to access the centre. The 12 beds to which Senator Boyhan referred must be opened as soon as possible.

I gave notice yesterday that I would propose an amendment to the Order of Business today. I propose that non-Government motion No. 18 be taken today. The motion can be debated instead of statements on childhood obesity, which are due to be taken between 4.30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Speaking last week on the lack of legislation coming before the House, I stated there was no point in providing time to debate issues on which there is agreement across the House because everyone will say the same things. We need to deal with some serious issues on which cross-party agreement is needed. If agreement is not reached on this, I propose that the motion be taken without debate at the conclusion of the Order of Business. It is the same motion that Sinn Féin proposed to take without debate last Tuesday. The reasons given by Fianna Fáil and other parties for voting against the motion was that the vote clashed with a meeting of the Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine. For this reason, we ask that the motion be taken today. I gave notice yesterday that we would raise the matter today so nobody can claim not to have been given notice.

I also note the Leader stated last week that he would need a briefing from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine before he could make a decision on whether to support the motion. I trust a week has been sufficient time for him to receive a briefing.

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