Seanad debates

Thursday, 15 July 2021

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

9:30 am

Photo of Mark WallMark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach, the ushers, the staff of Leinster House, Mr. Martin Groves and Ms Bridget Doody for all their help. We are still newbies. This is our first year, as Senator Keogan said, after her love poem to Fianna Fáil. It was great for us to have that assistance throughout our first year.

When I saw Jadotville listed on the Order of Business I was very happy. Maybe the Cathaoirleach has some information on what is happening. We will have statements tonight but we have not yet seen the report. I would really appreciate if that report could be circulated as soon as possible to all Members of the House. Last November, the Cathaoirleach facilitated a debate on Jadotville. The Minister for Defence, Deputy Simon Coveney, came into the House to announce the independent commission. We all wait in anticipation today. Hopefully, tonight, there will be some good news for the heroes of Jadotville.

I thank Senator Ward for his motion on Belarus. Maybe we will have time in the autumn to debate what is happening in Belarus.

Given that we are all enjoying the good weather, and the forecast is for more good weather this weekend, I want to raise an issue currently being promoted by Water Safety Ireland. We are all aware of the great fun that a day at the beach, at a local river or at a watercourse can bring to so many. However, we also need to be aware of the dangers of water and we must all respect it. In a conversation with my colleague, Councillor Níall McNelis, in Galway, he informed me that Clare County Council passed by-laws last month banning the use of inflatable devices from the designated bathing areas. Waterford City and County Council banned them two weeks before that. Cork County Council has placed a number of warning signs on its beaches in an attempt to influence behaviour, so that we can on all enjoy the summer safely at those locations. We all know those inflatables are sold as toys and not as life-saving devices. We must all be aware of that. It is vital that we all recognise that and stay safe while enjoying our terrific watercourses this weekend, and over the coming months.

I want to use the opportunity to once again emphasise the importance of lifebuoys at all our water and bathing locations. I recently asked Waterways Ireland to place lifebuoys along the new magnificent blueway from Athy to Robertstown. These should be placed along all our blueways, running as they do along watercourses. Consideration should be given to working with local communities along these routes to provide defibrillators, where possible. Unfortunately, we are all aware of locations where a life-saving buoy has been stolen, tossed away or put out of use. I am sure that we would all appeal to those minded to doing this to leave those lifebuoys where they are located. You may never know the hour or day that you will be the one who needs it. When you look around, it may be too late at that stage.

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