Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank colleagues for their contributions. Senator Seery Kearney is right in that we need a debate and not only on this sector as a number of industries will not recover in the way we hope they will. They will continue to need supports. A specific debate on the conditions that exist in the taxi industry is very relevant for us to discuss. Other colleagues have also asked for debates in the next number of weeks. Next week’s schedule is already accepted and agreed. I will be proposing the following week’s schedule to leaders tomorrow. We are literally to the pin of our collar. I have requested from both the Superintendent and the health advisers if we could have access to the Dáil Chamber on a Wednesday and a Thursday but it has been refused. I am curtailed by having Monday, Tuesday morning and Fridays sittings and I am trying to do the best for all of us. I hope the Senator will understand I do not have space between now and the recess for that debate. I will do my very best to fit it in at the beginning of the new term. All these issues will not go away over the summer, much and all as we would like them to. It is relevant that we have that debate.

Senator Crowe raised an issue that aggravates most people in the country. It is very relevant that coverage of our national games should be free-to-air for all of us to enjoy. We should not have to listen on the wireless or in a car to some of the most exciting sports. We were spoilt for choice over the weekend. Most of us were dual screening switching between the Tour de France, Wimbledon and Euro 2020. It is wonderful to have that little glimpse of normality and excitement just to be able to enjoy sport again. We should write to the Minister on behalf of all of us. It would great if the Chair of the Oireachtas committee would bring GAA officials before the committee prior to it negotiating any new deal for the next number of years.