Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to acknowledge that today is National Irish Sign Language day. Members know, of course, that our Cathaoirleach is a big supporter. Equally, it is very important that the message is on the floor of the House that we are very strong supporters of the Irish Sign Language Act. However, this Act needs to be more than just legislation; it is about how it is enforced and that the Department of Education takes this issue seriously. It should never be a case that parents of deaf children have to fight to secure rights for their children, in the way that some, including for instance, Mr. Andrew Geary has had to fight for the rights of his son Calum. I have mentioned in this House before that a young Wexford woman, Úna Walsh, has been very active. She has promoted the idea of Irish Sign Language as a second level subject. I have raised this with the Minister but it might be appropriate at some stage for us to have a full debate on sign language and the contribution that the deaf community makes in Irish society.

There are reports in today's newspapers on issues around women's rugby. I do not want to comment specifically on some of that. However, the Oireachtas sports committee will be addressing the question of women in sport tomorrow. My colleague, Senator Cassells, has been quite active about looking at ways that we can promote the participation of women in sport.However, it is of concern that while the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin, has indicated that she will intervene in the row around women's rugby, there is an ongoing row in boxing where there have been a number of calls for a mediator to be appointed to resolve some of the difficulty but action has not happened. This is having a serious impact. I am not worried about the politics of boxing. What I am worried about is that for the young people on the ground, the splits in boxing are particularly serious so I ask the Acting Leader to express our concern to the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers.

I am very proud to come from a family that has a lot of public servants who have worked in nursing and for local authorities. During this pandemic, a lot of people have given great public service. I am even thinking of those who processed the pandemic unemployment payments in a very short period of time. I would like to disassociate myself from the outburst from Deputy Ring in the other Chamber last week. His attack on the public service was completely unfair. There are many really hard-working people in the public sector and they need to be acknowledged. Those of us in this House should stand up and defend them.