Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Lombard spoke of being star struck when he was walking around west Cork by all the famous people who were there. He was right in stating support for the film industry needs to be highlighted in the budget that will be presented next Tuesday. Senator Carrigy also mentioned this issue. Those in the industry have had a devastating number of years. They provide every section of society with entertainment. They definitely need to be supported by way of tax measures next week.

I applaud Senator Clifford-Lee on the pairing arrangement she entered into with our colleague, Senator Flynn. It is something that should not be understated. It is an important arrangement and an enormous gesture but we should not need gestures. We should have proper arrangements in order that women and men can take maternity and paternity leave. It is long past time for moaning and nagging about it. We should have it in every walk of society, every part of political life and every part of our working lives. It should be taken for granted that a woman when she has a baby can spend time at home with the baby and a man when his wife or partner has a baby can stay at home and bond that family relationship. On behalf of all of us, I extend Eileen and Liam heartiest congratulations on baby Lacey’s safe arrival. I know Eileen had a tough couple of months. I have no doubt that Billie will be a great big sister. I wish them well.

Senator Wall spoke about St. Brigid's Day and also called for a debate on housing. The debate we had on housing last Wednesday was adjourned rather than concluded. As soon as the Minister is available to continue that debate, I will arrange for him to come to the House as quickly as possible. Senator Ó Donnghaile talked about the mother and baby institutions report being issued today in Northern Ireland and the reflecting debate that will arise from the horribleness of what is in the report and the recommendations that will be required to make reparations. He is also looking for a debate on the Northern Ireland protocol. He raised this last week and I was able to text him later to say that the Taoiseach will come to the Seanad on 4 November to have a debate on that and to take statements from us. A very important part of the Taoiseach's proposals and programme is the shared island initiative, and I think the input of the Northern Ireland protocol to the prosperity and the increase in business between North and South will form part of his statement. We could probably have a debate on the Northern Ireland protocol separate from the debate with the Taoiseach. I will follow up on that for the Senator today.

Senator Garvey talked about the rent price increase in Clare being at 16.1%, which is off the wall, and the requirement for rent pressure zones. That will probably form part of the debate with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he comes back to the House. I will let the Senator know the date of that engagement as soon as I can.

Senator Keogan talked about child safeguarding in schools and the policies arising from instances that have been brought to her attention. I can speak about this only because when I was Minister for Social Protection - and it is that Department, for some reason, the gender recognition legislation sits under, not the Departments of Health or Education - there was a review of the 2015 legislation done, independently commissioned by the Minister at the time, who just happened to be me. There were quite a number of recommendations arising from that review as to how to update the 2015 legislation, but, unfortunately, I do not believe anything has happened on that since then. I might send a letter on our behalf to ask the Minister the current status of the recommendations and when new legislation will come that will provide safeguarding and guidelines to everybody who deals with children, whether schools, sports clubs or hospitals. I will follow up on that for the Senator today.

Senator Ahearn opened this morning with the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, extending Tús and the CE scheme, which is welcome. Things have not been normal for those workers since the onset of the pandemic. Therefore, they have not been able to learn and be mentored in the way they would normally be, so it is a welcome extension. The Senator also talked about the issue of work permits. The Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy English, was here this morning and last week discussing work permits and the pilot scheme he is trying to get off the ground. The issue is probably not unique to the hospitality sector because our horticulture, agriculture and farming sectors are crying out for workers. There is food being left in the ground because they do not have anybody to pick it, which is crazy. Whatever red tape is there, we need to cut through it to make sure we have food security and staff for the industries that are only trying to get back on their feet.

Senator O'Loughlin started by mentioning, as did other colleagues, the fact that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We wear our pink with pride and in solidarity with the women we have lost and the women who are still fighting, and fight they will continue. Senator Gallagher's suggestion to try to decrease the age by which women in Ireland get mammograms is a welcome initiative, and I will send that letter off. We will wear our pink and wear it proud.