Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join others in thanking the staff of the Seanad for their work. From the first day I met the Clerk, Mr. Martin Groves, back at the beginning of April, he was most helpful and accommodating. I thank him, the Clerk Assistant, Ms Bridget Doody, and the other staff who have been so helpful at all times in putting up with us. On the last sitting day of the Seanad and Dáil, things can get out of hand. That certainly happened in the Dáil last night. When we talk about how fantastic the staff in Leinster House are, we should remember that some of those staff left their families yesterday afternoon and told them they would be home at 11 p.m. or midnight. My information is that a number of members of staff did not get home until 3.30 a.m. this morning. We talk a lot about workers' rights but what happened to workers in the Houses of the Oireachtas yesterday was absolutely disgraceful. I do not like it and it should not happen. There was clearly going to be prolonged debate in the Dáil because people were making valid arguments about speaking rights, but we cannot treat people like that. We cannot, on the one hand, say they are fantastic but then keep them out half the night, particularly when they would have told their families to expect them home at an earlier time. Perhaps it is time for reflection on that matter.

The need for a Ballaghaderreen-Strokestown bypass on the N5 in Roscommon was talked about for years. It is very badly needed and is finally under construction. However, a number of the farmers who lost their land have not been paid and that is outrageous and disgraceful. Their land was taken over and they are left years without their money. Many of them are the owners of small farms and are finding it hard to survive. We must examine whether this issue needs to be addressed in legislation to ensure no other members of the public are treated like this. The farmers in Roscommon are very concerned and upset because they have bills to meet and the loss of their land will have consequences for their farm payments, as the Cathaoirleach would know. The way this type of process is handled needs to change. I am asking the Leader to raise the issue with the Minister with responsibility for transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII. We need to get it sorted out as quickly as possible.