Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators for their contributions on a wide variety of topics, starting with Senator O'Loughlin. She talked about the work of the St. Joseph's centre in Shankill regarding dementia. I compliment her, as chair of the all-party committee on dementia, on her work in highlighting the issue and engaging with experts in the whole area of dementia. It is important work because we never know who in our family or among our loved ones will be impacted by dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Senator O'Loughlin also raised the issue of PDFORRA and the 1,000 soldiers who will retire next year after 21 years of service. I will talk to the Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, about that. She also raised the welcome €4 million funding for animal welfare charities, as did Senator Maria Byrne. I concur, as I am sure we all do, with the Senators' statements about the valuable work animal welfare charities do up and down the country.

Senators Lombard and Buttimer raised the issue of Covid-19 and the booster vaccination programme, and called for the reopening of centres in Cork. Decisions are being considered in respect of, for example, the 15-minute waiting period. Consideration is also being given to the three-month and five-month period between second jabs and a booster jab. All of that will be taken into account and I am sure we will see increased resources being put into the provision of the best possible booster campaign. I will certainly ask the Minister for Health to look at the number of centres in Cork. We will also see an enhanced role for pharmacists and GPs in the provision of the booster campaign.

Senator Boyhan talked of the importance of sport to women and girls. Access to sport is important and I will ask for a debate on that matter in the new year. If I remember correctly, it has been some time since we had a debate on sport in the House. I will ask for that.

Senators Martin and Paul Daly talked about legislation. I have not seen the Bill and I am not entirely familiar with what will be initiated or what is planned. However, I am sure it will come before us on some future date and we will give it every consideration at that point. I commend the Senators on the work they have done on the issue of betting and their intention to provide better protections around fair betting.

Senator Warfield, supported by Senators Buttimer and Maria Byrne, and responded to by Senator Keogan, talked about LGBT issues and comments made recently by Senator Keogan. I do not know what to say. It is a matter of live and let live and walk a mile in my shoes or her shoes. Everybody is different. Everybody goes through their own situations. Everyone has their own issues. For young people, in particular, growing up with issues around their sexuality or gender, nobody other than themselves can understand what they are going through. It is difficult to judge anybody based on one's own experiences. Everyone is an individual. Everyone has the right to live, to be loved, to love, to be respected and cherished, and not to be bullied, stigmatised or anything like that. It is important that we give everyone, and particularly young people, the chance to live their best lives. There are enough pressures and stresses on life in this world without being bullied for who you are or who you are trying to be. Live and let live. Let everyone experience their life to the best of their abilities.

Senators Moynihan and Currie talked about transport issues, the DART+ expansion and BusConnects. I am not entirely familiar with the projects they raised. Perhaps some of them might be better suited to a Commencement debate in the new year. I know that for any of these strategies, there are public consultation periods and I am sure the Senators will participate in those.

Senator Conway spoke about the fare structure. There are areas without adequate public transport and areas with public transport that is so expensive it is prohibitive. There is a need for a root-and-branch approach. I know the National Transport Authority is doing work to increase the level of public transport. The Government made a decision in the most recent budget to reduce the cost of transport for those aged under 23. Consultation is certainly needed. Senator Currie also talked about the greenway at Liffey Valley. Those initiatives are all part of the consultation process and people and communities need to be engaged with and listened to.

Senator Ruane talked about loan sharks and poverty. I will request a debate on poverty. It is an important topic. Not everyone experiences it but we all know that it happens in certain communities. It happens even in some of the communities that are perceived as better off. People do not know what others go through behind closed doors, their problems and costs, what members of their families are going through, or what issues they are facing, whether because of gambling, drug addiction or the cost of living, which we have all seen rise. The Government is doing its best to respond to that rise. I will ask for a wider debate on that issue.

Senator Malcolm Byrne talked about the suspension of the Twitter account of a Mr. John Hand. Perhaps we need to look at the regulation of Facebook and its workings again in the new year.

Senators Buttimer and McGreehan had a difference of opinion about primary schools. In case anybody feels that will result in a decision being made quickly, any decisions in this regard will be made by the Government on the advice of public health officials and the Minister for Education and not in response to any individual calls for closures. I respect the different views of the Senators.However, as it is, the Government and the Minister will make the decisions and announce if there are to be any changes.

Senator Mullen commented on the season of goodwill, and so say all of us, and on the need to stop shaming people. He referred also to the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) (Foetal Pain Relief) Bill 2021 on the unborn. It is being debated in the Dáil today and it will be voted on. Again, I am sure we are all receiving much correspondence on this very difficult issue. Obviously, it is an issue that deserves fuller debate. Members of the health committee will review the working of the legislation which will be initiated in the new year. Areas such as this that were not part of the original Bill should be at least looked at and investigated to see whether there is an important role as should the science behind this. I am sure there will be a fuller debate in the Dáil. If it passes in the Dáil, it will reach us at a later date.

Senator Daly talked about the EU digital Covid certificates. Again, they are being updated in different countries with different approaches. In France, the third dose is required to be regarded as having a Covid certificate or a Covid passport. The question is, where is it all going to end? Will there be a fourth shot in early summer? Will there be another shot again next winter? Will it be something that we will have with us permanently? One of the Senators requested a debate on changes in regulations. I am not sure what changes in regulations have been planned for today but if there are any changes they will be announced. If it is possible to have an update before the close of term, I would agree with that.

Senator Boylan talked about the Stardust inquest and requested that we write to the Minister for Justice. I will arrange for that to happen and I will talk to her about it. Certainly, having peace of mind for Christmas or by the end of the year would certainly be beneficial to all families involved.

Senator Dolan talked about the Galway city ring road. I thought it was only me who talked about that in these Houses. Certainly, I very much concur with her commentary on that. It is an often expressed view in Galway that we have been left behind in terms of infrastructure compared to Limerick, Cork and Dublin. It is largely because projects and programmes have been delayed by objections, not because of the will of the Government or anything like that. We have been brought to every court in the land and, indeed, the EU and this has resulted in projects not going ahead. The Senator does not need to convince me of the value of the Galway city ring road. Others will have different opinions, but An Board Pleanála has made its decision and I hope that we can progress that project.

Senator McGreehan talked about the verdict in the hooded men case. In my other role, I remember answering a Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister for Justice on this matter a number of years ago. Again, the UK Supreme Court has ruled that the Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI, was wrong not to investigate allegations of torture used against the hooded men 50 years ago. It said the decision has been based on the seriously flawed report and ought to be quashed. That is obviously welcome because justice is important, as is justice for the victims of terrorism, as the Senator pointed out.

Senator McGahon asked for a debate on tax. I have often said in these Houses that if you never change the tax bands, everybody will end up paying the higher rate of tax at some stage because they have to move with inflation and in line with earnings. On his question on to tax rebates, I am sure he will take that up directly with the Minister for Finance. Perhaps his suggestions can be raised in a Commencement matter debate as well in the new year.

Senator Ahearn talked about a particular project. It is too late in the year to advise him to put a Commencement matter because he is looking for clarity before 1 January. I advise him to make direct contact with the Minister on that very important topic. There appears to be a threat of closure from January. The Senator said the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, visited the centre in the past, so I am sure she is fully aware of the issue. Therefore, I would advise him to take it up directly with the Ministers involved in advance of January.

Senator Ward talked requested a debate with the Minister for Justice on cyberbullying and abusive posts. It goes back to comments regarding Facebook and the suspension of accounts Senator Byrne talked about. Again, I will request the Minister for Justice to come in the new year to talk on this very important issue.