Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----but we will be having ongoing debates regarding the issues pertaining to reopening, current variants and future variants. We will have debates about the impact of Covid for many moons to come. I will certainly organise a debate on the matter as quickly as I can in September.

Senator Cassells asked for a debate on mental health. It is one of the issues we will speak about for many moons to come. The increased demand for the services of all providers - private charities and State providers - has increased significantly in the past 15 or 16 months by approximately 40%. The funding to those organisations from the State has not matched that level of increase. Many young people and older people will experience significant issues in this regard for many moons to come. A debate on the matter would be welcome.

Senator Boylan raised the issue of rental prices in Dublin.

Senator Cummins referred to the HSE advancement of the vaccine to 18- to 34-year-olds. I wish them well.

Several colleagues spoke about the hospitality industry. The only thing we can do, to be fair, is to support the hospitality sector, both the workers and the owners, in the negotiations in the next couple of weeks. We want them all to be able to earn their own livelihood and provide services not only to Irish people, but to the people who are now, thankfully, coming to Ireland, and to do so in a safe manner. I agree with Senator Gavan that decisions can only be made by people at the table. All concerned should be at the table to find a productive way forward on this issue.

Senator McGreehan raised the centenary memorials that will be take place in the coming years. Indeed, we will celebrate Seanad 100 next year. I wish the people organising those events well.

Senators Burke and McDowell raised the issue of the generation of electricity and how much more reliant the State will be on electricity generation. The debate on data centres versus green energy production is not an issue that has just been dealt with by this Cabinet; it has been there for a significant number of years. It was certainly a relevant issue in the couple of years I was a member of Cabinet.