Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Ahearn spoke about the need to shop local, particularly this year. It is probably more important this year than it has ever been. We will have campaigns in all our localities to try to support businesses on our high streets. It is absolutely vital given how businesses have been afflicted in the last 18 months.

Senators Ardagh and Boyhan mentioned the passing of permission last night for 853 homes to be built on Oscar Traynor Road. That is very welcome.

Senator Keogan spoke about violence against women and the 34 minors who were trafficked in Ireland in the last number of years. The most shocking thing about that for me, if it was not shocking enough in itself, was the fact that it was two women who were trafficking those young girls in Ireland. For the life of me I could not get my head around how a woman would use a young girl or woman in that industry. However, the Senator asked for that debate and I will certainly organise it. It will probably be in the new year, but I will do it as quickly as I can.

Senator Joe O'Reilly had specific questions about the gambling control Bill and the CAMHS waiting lists. I do not have an answer for the Senator, but I will make the request for the information today and refer back to him.

Senator McGreehan spoke about the Ombudsman's report and referred to the provision of primary medical certificates. She talked about valuable members of our community. We all have them where we live. There is a saying, if I do not get the words wrong, that the measure of any state is how it treats the most vulnerable. We have left a lot to be desired, but we have an opportunity to raise this, supported by the Ombudsman's report, and to say that the time has come to stop talking. We all acknowledge that it will cost money, but everything costs money. It is about our choices, as Senator Gavan has said previously. I thank the Senator for raising that.

In response to what Senator Sherlock said, I cannot even fathom it. First, I do not believe a woman should have to tell the Passport Office that she is breastfeeding just so she can get a passport to bring her small baby with her back to her country. All of us have reflected in the last couple of months on the difficulties there have been in the Passport Office. To be honest, it is infuriating to deal with it at present, and that is not to say that the officials are not trying their best. They are lovely and helpful.It is dysfunctional at the moment. The Senator has highlighted how dysfunctional, which is a real shame.

Senator Boylan talked about the Society of St. Vincent de Paul appeal that is being launched today, something it does every year. We reflect on the fact that it is kind of sad that as a State we need to have these appeals every year. We as a nation have hundreds of charities that do enormous and incredible work for different sections of society and different people who, at different times in their lives, need a little bit of a helping hand, although not necessarily consistently. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is one of the most loved and much lauded charitable organisations in the country. I wish it success this year because it has extra families to help due to a number of reasons.

I want to correct something that Senator Boylan said, namely that Sinn Féin had asked for discretionary funds to be made available for people. They are already available, and have been available for probably 30 or 40 years, through the Department of Social Protection They are called exceptional needs payments. For the past number of years, the availability of those payments have become freer. Some €24 billion of taxpayers' money is now being spent through the Department.

Senator Garvey mentioned an event the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney is going to, which she thinks it is inappropriate. If it is okay with the Leas Cathaoirleach, I will get more details of the event because if, as alluded to, I would think it is probably not appropriate. I do not have all the details so I will come back to the Senator.

Senator Boyhan spoke about the peat Bill, and I want to thank him and welcome his positive contribution. He mentioned the fact that planning for 853 homes had been passed yesterday evening.

Senator Conway expressed his concerns and wishes around expanding Covid certificates to other services.

Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, along with the Leas-Chathaoirleach, wished Christy Moore continued success. He has entertained all of us. I do not think we think we own him just because we are from Kildare. We all think we own a little bit of him because he is such a legend and a fabulous musician.

On a more serious note, Senator O'Loughlin mentioned that her cross-party committee on dementia had a significant presentation from Professor Sean Kennelly. The advances that are being made are wonderful, in particular for dementia and Alzheimer's patients. We can now know about it years before it is diagnosed. It is to be hoped that in a lot of cases, people are diagnosed before it is too late and the advent or onset of dementia and Alzheimer's disease is slowed down.

Nobody referred to Amanda Brown, so I would like to mention her. She was on RTÉ radio this morning. I do not know if anybody knows who she is. She is the stepdaughter of the late David Tweed. I want to put on the record that her bravery, courage and, in particular, her dignity this morning was humbling. She is a powerful woman and the testimony she gave and the fight she has had over a number of years is genuinely humbling to observe. She deserves and requires the support and respect of people who have made inappropriate comments on the passing of David Tweed over the past couple of months. I want to put on the record of the House that I thought she was powerful.