Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairperson and colleagues. Senator McGahon is looking like a new man today and he has set the bar for all of us to achieve over the next couple of weeks. Some of us are looking forward to a haircut more than others, perhaps.

The Senator made a very valid point. We spend more time sometimes looking at and researching issues than actually doing them, which tends to be frustrating. I will write to the Minister in respect of the three-day tax saver ticket which the Senator has raised on a number of occasions in this House over the past year, particularly in light of the fact that we expect people to be coming back to work and office life resuming in whatever the new shape and form it will take from September.

I will contact the Minister, Deputy Coveney, today on behalf of Senator Murphy. I heard Desree on the radio a number of weeks ago, as I am sure most people did, and it was heartbreaking to listen to her. There were a number of days when she did not even know where her husband was and she did not know whether she would tell her eight-year-old child. It is a horrible story and I will ensure that anything we can do to support that family will happen and I will revert to the Senator later.

Senator Murphy is correct, as other colleagues have said, that today is a great day of hope. To hear the happiness involved with the return of our liberty and some of our freedoms gives us great joy for the weeks and months ahead.

Senator Currie is also correct. We have seen over the past number of weeks some instances, for example, Malahide over the weekend, Howth the previous weekend, as well as Dalkey and Cork, and how the return to a sense of new normal is causing frustration for some towns and villages. This will not be without difficulties and will involve a new policing plan to ensure that we mind ourselves and are all safe in what will be an outdoor summer. There will be tensions and supports needed. I look forward to the local authorities and the Department of Justice working closely together to ensure we are all safe.The idea Senator Currie suggested of special summer funding for youth clubs would be a welcome initiative. I might send a letter to the Minister.

Senator Crowe spoke about the reopening of libraries. I am astounded to hear that libraries here have 1.2 million members. All the services in the libraries that the Senator so eloquently described return today. The libraries do far more than provide books, but I will bring the concerns he raised this morning to the attention of the Ministerfor Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin, attention and ask her to respond to him.

Senators Gavan and Moynihan and a number of others asked for a debate on housing. New housing legislation in the form of a Seanad Bill has been published and will come to this House first, probably within the next week to ten days. It will give all of us sufficient opportunity to discuss this matter. I made a commitment this morning when we were drawing up the schedule that there will be an open-ended Second Stage debate in order that every Senator who wishes to make a contribution will get the opportunity to do so. The Bill will probably have to be debated over a number of days, but I hope that will be sufficient for the Senator.

Senator Cummins referred to the An Taisce appeal regarding the new water plant. We note his comments.

Senator Malcolm Byrne spoke about inter-county travel. I am very much looking forward to going back to Wexford, having not been there in probably over a year. The Senator raised the obvious issues of coastal erosion and the threats to people's property. Certain communities are more threatened than others. I will try to find out when that report will be issued and revert to the Deputy. Perhaps we can have a debate on it then.

Senator Dolan referred to the very welcome announcement this morning of 70 jobs for her area. She spoke with passion, as she always does. I wish everybody who will apply for those jobs every success, and continued success to Westcare Homecare in its growth.

Senators Clifford-Lee and Chambers spoke about the ambiguity surrounding maternity services. I contacted the HSE last Friday and received the response that there is no ambiguity. There still is ambiguity, however. I will contact the HSE again today. The response that was received indicated that the green light had been given so partners can attend, but that discretion had to be given if there were fluctuations with the virus around the country. However, that gives everybody the ability to do what they like and does not give satisfaction to the mothers and fathers who are awaiting the birth of their babies in the next couple of weeks.

Senator Craughwell referred to the story in the Irish Examiner. It seems a little strange. The anomaly with regard to non-Irish citizens in the Defence Forces in the context of passports is only one such anomaly in our passport system. Last week, I was contacted by a lady who is married to a gentleman who is not Irish. She spoke about the rigmarole he has to go through every year just to be able to stay here without having gone through the process himself. We probably should be able to find a better way, perhaps by providing a five-year visa to a person in that scenario. I will raise the Senator's concerns with the Minister.

Senator Buttimer sought a debate on health and the vaccination programme. A request has been sent to the Department so I will follow up on that.

Senator Gallagher spoke about the sunrise we were all supposed to share last Saturday morning. As it turned out, there was absolutely torrential and horrible rain, but that not dampen the spirits of people who came out in their droves in every town and village. I commend and thank them all. Pieta House is a national organisation but, as Senator Gallagher pointed out, there are local organisations in all our towns and villages that are there to listen, help and support. People should be mindful of that and reach out if that is necessary.

Senator Black asked for a debate on the ongoing issues she outlined. I will write to the Minister today. Senators Ó Donnghaile and Gavan supported her. I will revert to the Senators if I have a date.

Senator Hackett spoke about the upsetting local story that captured the national imagination. The gentleman has been operating the bicycle rental scheme on the bog for more than 11 years and appeared to be gazumped without even being offered a "Thank you very much" for his services. It highlights the issues there are with public procurement. A local person providing local jobs would be lovely if we could do it, but it is not something that can be done in the context of the European Union. We need to find creative ways to make sure we appreciate the work that people have been doing for many years before we decide that they are no longer required.

Senator Wall spoke about youth unemployment. I will request a debate. There is a Private Members' motion on youth to be debated in the next couple of weeks, but it would be timely for the Minister to come to the House. I realise that the numbers are slightly inflated because some of the younger people who are on the PUP are not technically unemployed and, hopefully, will return to their jobs once businesses reopen, starting today and into next week. Even if it is only 15% or 20%, however, the rate is still far too high.It is reflected across the EU. It is something we need to do and prepare for now so I will ask for that debate.

Senator Boyhan talked about the Wasted Lives report. The value of ombudsmen and women in this country should never be underestimated. They give a voice to groups who are jaded, worn down, tired and beaten up for fighting for their rights in a system that seems to always be working against them. The report last week highlights the 1,400 people living in conditions they should not be in, because of their age and their conditions. A number of years ago, I had to fight for more than a year to get a home care package for a lady who was only 33 years of age and had been living in a nursing home for five years. Another colleague talked about the consent form that had been signed. That is true, it happens all the time and it renders the person unhelpable because they have decided for themselves to stay in that environment, though nobody ever decides to stay in an environment that is not suitable for them. I thank the Senator for bringing it up and I will ask the Minister to come back to us on the plans for reassessment of those 1,350-odd people, so they can start living their lives again.

Senator Chambers told us about the Bill she will bring forward in the next number of weeks. We should all get behind her. I agree with her that the changes that have been made to section 10 of the Act are far too wide. The specific offence of stalking has a massive impact on the women, particularly, but also the men that have been stalked by unwanted attention-seekers. It is something that needs a specific Bill. The Senator also brought up the postcode lottery of maternal care services, and I will come back when I have an answer.