Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will follow on immediately from what Senator Gallagher said by acknowledging the courageous and dedicated work of teachers for the past two difficult years. I am very troubled by the fact that, unlike last year, the National Council for the Blind of Ireland, which provides specialised support to visually impaired children, seems to have been excluded from the summer scheme for special educational needs and students for this year. I have tabled a Commencement matter for tomorrow to try to get clarity on this and I hope the Cathaoirleach will accept it.

I have two things to raise with the Leader. We need a debate on long Covid with the Minister for Health. More and more people are showing symptoms of long Covid, whether it is difficulties with their senses, such as loss of their sense of smell, pains or fatigue, which is a major problem. We need a defined, dedicated and funded strategy to deal with long Covid. This is a debate we need to have in this House because Covid will be with us for a long time and people suffering from long Covid need our support and our understanding. The symptoms in these cases do not go away after seven or 14 days. I would like to see a summing-up debate on Covid with the Minister for Health before the summer recess, given the fact that Covid has dominated matters this term and since this Seanad was constituted. Perhaps the Leader could organise that with the Minister.

On a more positive note, the Cathaoirleach's part of the country, just like mine, depends very heavily on tourism. It is great to see tourists starting to come back this year, as they did last year. Tourism will be one of the cornerstones of rebuilding our economy post the pandemic. We should have a debate on tourism and the evolving strategy relating to it, particularly what we are going to do to encourage people in America and other countries to travel to Ireland in the years ahead.