Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank colleagues for the variety of topics that have been raised. Senator Ward has outlined the mistakes that we have made as a State over many years by centralising too much. One can see how unsuccessful it has been in our health service delivery and in how we are now unravelling and unwinding it and going back to regionalisation. The Government acknowledged last year that the SHD process was an unmitigated disaster and we are going back to the way we know how to do things well. That is empowering our local politicians. We also need public consultation with local citizens on the changes that make an impact on their lives. We need to have that proper communications process and we see it working well with TII, as Senator Carrigy mentioned. I will ask for a debate on that unravelling and the new process that will replace the SHD process.

Senator Ward and other colleagues have highlighted the importance of restating the State's intention to deliver on major infrastructural projects with the second iteration of Project Ireland 2040 being announced by Government yesterday. As the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform detailed, it is €165 billion, which is the largest amount of money that has ever been put behind a national development plan. As one of our colleagues mentioned this morning, €11.4 billion of that is allocated for public transport investment. If MetroLink is going to cost €10 billion it does not leave an awful lot for the rest of the country. We could probably put triple the amount of money into the national development plan and still have people giving out that there is no money associated with particular projects that we all care about. It is a rolling project and something we are proud of. It is the continuing investment by the State into making people's lives better and providing them with services. I acknowledge and thank all the colleagues who have raised that this morning.

Senator Dolan talked about life slowly returning to normal and I am happy that those day services in Ballinasloe are reopening. Senator O'Loughlin is the chair of our cross-party Oireachtas group on Alzheimer's disease and dementia and I thank her for the presentation last week of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland's pre-budget submissions. Life is starting to return to normal for those people who rely on the provision of day services. I mention the huge amount of services that are provided, not necessarily by the State but by private organisations and I know only too well how fantastic the Alzheimer Society of Ireland is. It is good to see that life is coming back to normal.

Senator Currie mentioned that the DART+ West public consultation process is closing tomorrow. Along with her I would encourage all of the citizens concerned to have their say because changes will be made and we want that to be done while empowering the people whose lives will be impacted by those changes.

Senators Maria Byrne and Gavan talked about the need for a debate on University Hospital Limerick and such a debate is required. I would contest one point; there has been significant investment in Limerick over the last ten years although clearly not enough investment has been made. Some 96 new beds and a major extension have gone in but there is a need for a debate on what is needed now and what will be needed in the short term. I will try to arrange that as quickly as possible. It is nice to see colleagues from the same locality agreeing for a change.

From Senator Maria Byrne's perspective, I also want to acknowledge the concern around what seems to be the downgrading of the N20 and M20. That needs explanation.If the expected plans for the Limerick-Cork project have changed, they need to be brought to the attention of all the people who will be affected by that. I will convey that message to the Minister for the Senator.

Senator Buttimer sought a debate with the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the One-China policy. I will ask for that debate. The Minister will be in the House this evening and next Wednesday evening. The debate sought is important, particularly given the events of the past week or ten days. I will again ask for that debate and come back to the Senator on it.

Senator O'Sullivan spoke of €3.5 billion that is the mainstay of the Taoiseach's shared island initiative and the investment across the shared island, which is important. I will ask the Tánaiste for a update for the Senator on the task force for the Shannon Estuary.

Senator Cummins raised the issue of the €11.6 billion for new public transport and €5.8 billion for new roads. Senator Gallagher asked for a letter to be sent to the Minister for Health seeking free mammograms for all women over the age of 40. I will put that letter in the post on behalf of all of us today. I will let the Senator know when I get a response.

Senator Gavan, among others, spoke of St. Brigid’s Day. Senator O’Loughlin spoke about it when opening our proceedings today. When I was a child my primary school was St. Brigid’s National Holy Faith Convent School. I do not remember that she was from Kildare but I remember always thinking that she was ours. I grew up in Finglas and the Senator grew up in Kildare but St. Brigid belongs to all of us from every county in every part of the country. I hope we settle on St. Brigid’s Day for the new bank holiday. Regardless of whether we call it Brigid’s Day or St. Brigid’s Day, we all know the important role she played.

Senators Carrigy and Fitzpatrick raised the issue of the anti-social behaviour and its prevalence not only in Dublin. The prevalence of the issue in Dublin was raised in the House a number of times in recent weeks. We saw from the television coverage last night that it is prevalent in Limerick, Cork, Galway and in many of our urban centres. My son, who is only 22 years of age, emigrated to Berlin in June and is home at the moment. He went out socialising at the weekend and when he came home yesterday evening he told me it is nearly impossible not to get involved in a fight in Dublin city because of the number of people who come into the city specifically and solely looking to either involve themselves in or cause trouble. It is bizarre that our young people have nothing else to do except find their entertainment in that way, shape or form. A number of colleagues sought a debate on this issue last week. I think we need a new task force on policing not only in Dublin but in many of our urban centres to adopt a specific response to this new type of entertainment. We opened our streets in the past year because we did not have anywhere else for people to entertain themselves but it certainly was not with the hope that this would be the result. I will bring that message back to the Minister for Justice.

Senator Craughwell, as he has on a number of occasions, spoke passionately about a topic he really cares about and believes in. I can do no more than bring the concerns he raised again this morning back to the Minister and ask for a response. I will go one step further and phone the Minister today. The matters the Senator highlighted, particularly in the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report in recent days, require a response.