Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Such a debate on China would be worthwhile. I have requested a date from the Minister but have not received a reply.

Senator Conway spoke about tourists coming back. The debate in respect of hospitality will be ongoing daily for the next couple of days.

Senator Gallagher thoughtfully spoke about the fact as schools, particularly primary schools, have closed for summer in recent weeks, it is an opportune time to pay tribute and thanks not just to the teaching staff, but to all the staff who mind and care for children, as well as all the governing staff who help them in their daily lives in school environments, which are a wonder for children to be able to grow and develop. As regards the school secretaries issue, I hope he is right that this will be the final year in which we have to discuss secretaries having to arrive at Intreo offices at the end of June. It is just not good enough.

Senator Flynn proposed an amendment to the Order of Business. Unfortunately, I am not in a position to accept the amendment. However, the Senator raised a valid issue as eloquently as only she can. We need a debate across multiple Departments and services on the future of children and I will try to arrange that as soon as possible when we come back in September.

Senator Gavan referred to the "RTÉ Investigates" programme on nursing homes that was aired the other night. It was difficult to watch. I agree with the Senator on this issue. I know inquiries will be taken on board by the Department of Health and maybe even the HSE but we probably need a public inquiry into this matter. The purpose of such an inquiry would not necessarily be to apportion blame. I am sure the situation most private providers and some public providers found themselves in was unprecedented and I do not know how they managed. We need to shine a light on the lessons that can be learned to make sure that if anything like this ever happens again, the State will step in far more quickly than it did to help nursing homes, probably because of the ideology the Senator spoke about at the beginning of his contribution. I will try to arrange for the sentiments of the Seanad to be sent to the Minister with regard to any proposed inquiry.

Senator Martin spoke about the by-elections and how single elections may be becoming more bruising. We have seen that elections have become more personality focused, which is an awful pity. I know that in the cut and thrust of elections candidates jibe one other from a policy perspective, but all Members know how vital it is, whether from a party perspective or another perspective, to have quality candidates who are able to come on board. We do not need potential candidates to wake up one day and ask themselves if they are mad to go for election; that they should not touch it with a barge pole. We parliamentarians and society at large will be the ones to suffer if we do not have great people putting themselves forward for election. I wish all the by-election candidates well on Thursday. The outcome will be decided by those who show up to vote, rather than those who criticise or stand on the sidelines.

Senator Moynihan welcomed the extension of the vaccine to 18- to 34-year-olds and referred to the antigen testing that will be required to help people to reopen their employment venues safely. She also referred to the SHD planning process. She has made valid points in that regard and maybe we will try to organise a debate on that in September as quickly as we can.

Senator Boyhan referred to the mushroom industry. It is a bizarre example of carbon leakage that the production of something that is needed for the production of other goods has been stopped and that it has to be imported from thousands of miles away, which makes no sense. I agree with the Senator that a debate is needed on the matter. Notwithstanding the climate action Bill that is currently before the House, the particular issue raised by the Senator should be debated in the House, possibly by way of a Commencement matter, or I can ask the Minister to address it subsequently.

Senator Kyne spoke about the Galway city ring road. It seems like we have been waiting for the planning permission decision on the project for ages. I hope the decision is delivered on schedule in August so that the road can start to be built. It will have a significant impact on the lives and livelihoods of people in the area.

Senator Chambers spoke about dementia care centres. While other colleagues were raising issues, I took the opportunity to contact the office of the Minister of State, Deputy Butler. I can inform the Senator that all dementia care centres will reopen this week, save where they have individual issues. The Minister of State asked me to convey that any centre with an individual issue relating to training, staffing or finances should contact her Department immediately, which is welcome. We take it for granted that just because a person is in his or her own home, everything is grand and hunky-dory, but I know from first-hand experience that dementia patients have suffered incredibly as a result of the lack of socialisation in the past 12 months. It has had a massive impact on them. Just being able to go to their day centre will have a hugely positive impact so we need to try to get those centres open as quickly as we can.

In conclusion, I pay tribute to Senator Chambers on her chairmanship or chairwomanship of the Seanad Special Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, as well as all of the committee members, who have worked hard and effectively in the past year. I wish them well in launching their interim report on Thursday.

I am happy to accept the other proposed amendment to the Order of Business.