Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will come back to the Senator on that.

Senator Fitzpatrick raised the issue of the two men who died on the streets of our capital city in recent days. On behalf of this side of the House and, I am sure, on behalf of the whole House, I extend our deepest sympathies to the families of both men. It is a shocking indictment on any country that people should be dying in the streets, and we need to address that urgently. I note it is almost six years to the day that Jonathan Corrie passed away very close to Government Buildings on a doorstep. Things have not really progressed in the manner they should have in terms of homelessness services. An important point raised by Senator Fitzpatrick is that the accommodation is only one part of it. We have listened to comments and feedback from people availing of those services, who often speak about being in a room with other people, some of whom may be using drugs onsite, and they actually feel safer on the streets. That is a serious problem. Individuals have many complex needs and are in need of supports. It is not just about a bed but about the wraparound services that are just not there to the level they need to be. We have a big job of work in this country to address that because this problem seems to be growing, not reducing. I know the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, is genuinely personally committed to addressing this issue and I have no doubt he will do his utmost to make changes in that regard.

As I said, Senator Conway endorsed the comments in regard to RTÉ and we will come back to that issue.

Senator Fiona O'Loughlin supported the green Friday initiative and also gave a personal account of a young woman who was left stranded at a bus stop because cash was not accepted. I do not know the full details of that story but, certainly, cash is legal tender and it cannot be refused. It might be an issue on which the Senator can directly correspond with Bus Éireann to get further clarification.

Senator Bacik knows of my support for the citizenship Bill that Labour is proposing. I am doing my utmost to try to get Government approval for that Bill. I am only one person but I will make my voice as loud as I can. I understand that the Leader of the House, Senator Doherty, is also in support of the Bill and I understand there is engagement with the Department on that, with a view to trying to progress it. The Senator has my full support personally but I know she is looking for Government support and I will do my best on that front. I would love to see that Bill over the line. It is a small gesture for a small number of children, but it would make a world of difference to those individuals.

I get Senator Bacik’s point on the zero-Covid strategy, and I know she is raising it on behalf of colleagues. I note she welcomed the debate on the reopening of the country. There are difficult decisions for the Government to make today in regard to next week. I know people's livelihoods, mental health and so much else is at stake in regard to that reopening. I hope we can have a break from lockdown and get about to see our family and friends, and have some time to socialise. However, we have to be honest with ourselves. If we reopen the country for a week or two weeks, and I am sure NPHET will give its advice, it is quite likely we will see an increase in numbers because that seems to be the trajectory of this virus. There is a fear we may be going back into tighter restrictions come January, but we need to be honest with the public that that may be the trade-off to get that break. Who knows? I am not a public health expert and we will await the advice and the decision of the Government. From a Government perspective, I know it is acutely aware of how distressing being in level 5 is for many people and businesses, and, as we approach December, the Government really wants to give that break to people and to let us have some sort of normal Christmas.

Senator Byrne dealt succinctly with the issue around Cuba and I do not need to go over that, although I agree with his comments. He also raised the “shop local” campaign. On the issue of commercial rates funding, it is ludicrous that a model from the 1820s is being used to fund local government today in times when many businesses do not have a physical space and operate online. Clearly, it is a model that is not fit for purpose and it needs to be amended and changed. It puts our small retailers on the main streets of every town and village at a severe disadvantage when competing with businesses that trade solely online. We need to address that. I will certainly seek a debate with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the issue of local government funding that the Senator raises.