Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank those who have raised issues on the Order of Business. I note the presence of Councillor Mike Cubbard from Galway in the Gallery and welcome him to the Seanad.

Senator Ardagh raised the long waiting list for home care packages. It is very unsatisfactory that almost 200 people are on the waiting list in Dublin. It strikes me that it might be worthwhile to raise this as a Commencement matter. I do not know the specific details. It seems to be a funding issue. If the Order of Business is anything to go by, there are plenty of issues that we could have the Minister for Health in to discuss. This is one of them.

Senator Ardagh also mentioned a campaign for an Educate Together secondary school. I do not want to keep saying that the matters raised on the Order of Business are suitable for Commencement debates, but I noted at least six such matters today. It seems from what the Senator said that an Educate Together secondary school is very much required in the areas of Dublin 2, Dublin 8 and Dublin 12. It seems to me that the Senator might get a satisfactory answer if she raises this as a Commencement debate matter. I can relay her concerns to the Minister for Education and Skills.

Senator Lawless highlighted the important issue of the provision of driver's licences to asylum seekers. He referred to Mr. Justice Donal O'Donnell's important judgment. I agree with the Senator that this needs to be looked at. We could debate this issue in the House with the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Sport in the near future. Senator Nash expressed his support for Senator Lawless on this issue.

Senator Nash spoke about the Flemish decree, which has been issued by the EU courts. It seems to me, having looked into this case recently, there is a certain unfairness at its core. I will come back to the Senator after I have spoken to the Minister about the matter. It needs to be looked at because it means that people cannot build in areas where they and people belonging to them have lived for many years.

Senator Ó Donnghaile raised the case of Emma DeSouza, as he has done on numerous occasions. It is very relevant in the context of the Brexit debate. He said that we are awaiting a review by Theresa May. I cannot imagine that her focus is on a review at the moment. It seems that the review might not happen in any event. I will bring this issue to the attention of the Minister. Clearly, it is unsatisfactory that citizens' rights are not being implemented in the manner that was intended in the Good Friday Agreement. I understand the Senator's frustration in this regard.