Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Due to the cancellation of our visit to bring Constance Markievicz's portrait to the House of Commons, I am lucky enough to be here and join in giving míle buíochas. I get very nervous when I speak Irish. I will probably speak it more when Senator Ó Clochartaigh is no longer here because I will be less nervous. I have real gratitude for the contribution Senator Ó Clochartaigh has made. I have been lucky enough to know him for many years - since his early days running for the Údarás in Connemara - and I know the huge commitment he has always had to his place, to Connemara, to Galway and to Ireland. He has always combined the latter with a commitment to issues of justice in the wider world. We have seen this in the way he, for example, has championed the cause of civil society in Catalonia and the importance of the expression of culture and identity for people around the world. Having known him for years, it has been a real privilege to work very closely with him - even more closely in recent months - and to see what he brings in terms of thought and determination. He has a kind of tenacious look when he really follows through on something. One can see it when he says he will follow up on and take a grip of an issue. I have huge respect, admiration and great affection for him. As well as knowing him as a fellow traveller, I also know him as a person. While his departure is a huge loss to the Seanad; it is a great gain for TG4. There has never been a more appropriate time for us to be aware of the importance of the Fourth Estate and the role of the media as an independent, sometimes critical, analytical voice which can not only bring multiple perspectives together but also dive behind the debate and look deeper. The media have a huge, important role which we need to look to, reaffirm and debate. There are concerns, which I will not go into now, regarding some of the debates we have had recently and some of the issues raised by Senator Ó Céidigh in terms of our national broadcasters and how we can ensure that they are properly supported. Again, I join in the congratulations to Senator Ó Clochartaigh.

To comment on the snow, I absolutely endorse the concerns everyone has raised in the context of ensuring that we protect the homeless. Measures are being taken. I am concerned about those dependent on home care because I think people can suffer when home helps cannot visit during such difficult days. Perhaps it behoves us - after we have dealt with these immediate emergencies - to look again at this issue and double down on the focus on climate change, on which this House, to be fair, has had some good debate and focus. Climate change is related to these climactic events and what is happening in Ireland. Similar and even more devastatingly difficult things are happening to people in many other parts of the world. We need to consider that wider issue as well ensuring the protection of vulnerable people in Ireland in the immediate term.