Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is a lovely suggestion from Senator Ward. I am not sure whether we should just send a letter to the Department. I will try to arrange a debate but collectively we might initially send a letter to the relevant Minister to ask him for his opinion on the suggestion. We can wait for his response and see what comes back.

Senator Chambers, among others who I will name as I come to them on the list, mentioned the thousands of people we expect to see on the streets outside the convention centre and the Dáil who are fighting for their lives and their homes. The Cabinet meeting is taking place this morning and we have heard the support from my colleagues here and from Ministers on the radio and airwaves in recent days recognising the shortfalls, so I hope we get a positive outcome today. I fear for the circumstances if we do not. I welcome Members' support for the thousands of people who will travel to our capital today to register the fear they live under daily. Senator O'Reilly asked me a number of questions on the gambling regulator legislation and the E-3 visa. I do not have specific responses for him now but I will follow up and revert to him. It would be worthwhile if we had a debate in the House on Belarus and the abhorrent treatment of those 461 prisoners, and on what the world and the European Union intend to do in response.

Senator Clifford-Lee raised a very annoying issue. It does not relate just to Swords and north County Dublin but happens throughout the country. The national audit she requested on the use of the Irish language in signs would be welcome, so I will send a letter to the relevant Minister today.

Senator Warfield talked about the world vaccination programme. Notwithstanding the unfair and unsubstantiated remarks he made, the calls from the World Health Organization, WHO, the COVAX organisation and countries throughout the world to ensure we do not leave anybody behind are very worthwhile. It would be pertinent for us to have a debate in the House on the world vaccination programme and what role Ireland can play and the WHO can continue to play. I will try to organise that in the next couple of weeks.

Senator Seery Kearney raised a distressing story. Unfortunately, it is not the first time I have heard such a story. It is not acceptable, whether in a hospital or nursing home, for anybody to have long hair or long nails just because a family member is not allowed in to give the loving care they would normally give. If somebody is in hospital, it is up to the staff at that hospital to ensure the person receives the care, even if that is something as simple as washing the person or cutting his or her nails. It is outrageous that somebody said to the patient's family member that if he or she dropped in a nail clippers, they would look after it. We will send a letter to the Minister for Health, following up on the previous one we sent, regarding visiting rights. Some issues have been highlighted over the past 12 months, in both nursing homes and hospitals, that we would rather did not exist.

Senator Murphy spoke eloquently, as did Senators Davitt and Ward and others, about defibrillators. I think everybody knows and acknowledges the hundreds of towns and villages that have defibrillators, whether in churches, community centres, GAA or soccer clubs or wherever - our local shop has one outside - that were paid for by fundraising by the people in those villages and communities. The least the State can do, therefore, is not only compile a central register but also ensure they are in good working repair in order that if somebody needs them, as we saw so starkly on Saturday evening, they will be there for them.

Senator Lombard raised the big difference between the €40 million to be given in sports capital grants this year, which is very welcome and is always well received, and the €200 million that has been requested. It shows how vibrant sport is as a participatory activity in all towns and villages, and perhaps we need to acknowledge we need to do more.

On the fishing industry issue, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is in Europe today, which is why he will not be here to welcome the thousands of people coming from Donegal. The Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, and the Common Fisheries Policy are under negotiation at the moment, but I appreciate the sentiments raised by the Senator.

Senator Keogan raised something that, to be honest, I was not aware of. While the Cathaoirleach is responsible for this matter, I will nonetheless make inquiries today. There are a number of Ministers of State and a senior Minister at the Department of Health. It is absolutely unacceptable that any member of that team would not come to the House to respond to Commencement matters using the excuse of a cyberattack. That is nonsense and I have never heard the likes of it. We will make inquiries in that regard today.

I acknowledge the comments the Senator made about our mainstream media, something on which we all greatly rely. My fear is people in their tens of thousands are moving to other, much less reliable forms of media and believe everything posted on social media streams, with the obvious consequences. If we cannot turn on mainstream media without having to listen to the abject fear being pumped through the airwaves every day, it will not really be a surprise if people turn off.

Senator McGahon raised an issue that has been raised a number of times. We all understand and appreciate why the Central Bank has the rules it has, in order that we will not recreate the issues we all lived through ten to 15 years ago with regard to negative equity, overextending on borrowings and so on. Nevertheless, the Senator's point, which was made by Noel Rock in the previous Dáil, is pertinent. If people cannot afford to save the deposits they need because they are paying such excessive levels of rent, that participatory record needs to be taken into account. I suggest the Senator might reintroduce the legislation tabled by Noel Rock in the previous Dáil.

Senator Davitt talked about Councillor Martin McDermott and the strong work he has done to represent the families in question. As I said earlier, I hope there will be a good and positive outcome today.

Senator Flynn raised the same issue. The other issue she raised, with regard to the widow's pension, would probably be more pertinent to Commencement matters but I will contact her after this debate to see how I can help her.

Senator Gavan raised the issue of an interview with the Minister for Transport regarding the establishment of a task force. It pains me to say I agree with almost everything the Senator said. There have been too many task forces and reports and much too little action. We need absolute action now, not in a few weeks or months when we are all aghast at more job losses in the aviation industry that will trickle down to the hospitality industry. We cannot be left whingeing after the fact, given we have an opportunity to do something about it now. I support the Senator in his comments.

Senator Martin opened his contribution with some lovely comments on Arlene Foster. Her speech yesterday was dignified and ladylike and so in tune with her public life in Northern Ireland, and I wish her well. We all take for granted that when the bricks and bats are thrown in political life, we are supposed to be able to take them. Ms Foster showed yesterday with great humanity that she is a true lady. I dare say Northern Ireland will rue the actions of her party colleagues in recent weeks in regard to what is anticipated, although I wish them well in the coming weeks.

Senator Wall spoke about defibrillators and I support him in that regard, but more important, we need to have a debate on rural transport. Local Link buses provide essential transport for people in rural counties. I will try to arrange that debate as soon as possible.

Senator Mullen requested a debate on China and other humanitarian aspects of international behaviour. I have submitted a request for a debate with the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the China issue, but a wider debate is probably needed on some of the issues the Senator raised. I cannot promise I will secure that in the next couple of weeks but I will do so as soon as I can. Every day I propose an Order of Business. It is entirely up to the House whether it accepts it and I appreciate that Senators are entitled to oppose it.

Senator Horkan opened the debate with a welcoming of what, please God, will be the passing of the Criminal Justice (Perjury and Related Offences) Bill 2018 today before it returns to the Dáil for a final adjudication of the amendments passed in this House. It shows the power of Private Members' time and legislation. It is very welcome and I look forward to it being on the Statute Book.