Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I 100% agree with the Senator. It is not that we agree on the final outcome but if we do not listen to people’s concerns and voices we can never learn. The respect that needs to be afforded this process and the absolute independence that is required should not be feared by anybody, including people who are pro-choice or pro-life. The spectrum of people who are in the middle of those two polarised positions is probably somewhere the rest of the country lies. If there are frailties in the laws that have been passed in recent years we should not be afraid to admit that and change them. If they also need to be strengthened then we should not be afraid to admit that and change them. Closing down an independent review and a hearing of all voices will serve nobody well.

I go straight to Senator Keogan’s contribution. If the reality is highlighted by what the research of the students showed last week then we should hang our heads in shame because giving people support and the space to explore all their options is what the State is supposed to do. It is not supposed to funnel anybody into a particular category, opportunity or option available to them. If what the Senator has learned turns out to be true then we have a serious issue and I ask her to continue to investigate and bring back those issues, not only just to the Joint Committee on Health but also to the new Joint Committee on Gender Equality that has been established just before Christmas. I thank the Senator for raising that.

Senator Dolan talked about the High Court win in Ballinasloe and it is an example of how communities work together to say they will stand up for what is right for them. I congratulate her and I wish continued success to Ballinasloe. Senator Fitzpatrick talked about the leaving certificate, which I have already spoken about. Senator Buttimer asked if we could invite the newly appointed US ambassador to Ireland, Claire Cronin, to the House, which is a great idea. He also requested a debate on aviation, which I will sort out in the coming weeks because it is timely. Senator Ardagh spoke about sub judiceand making sure we are all incredibly careful because we all want to see justice for Ashling Murphy and solace for her family. She spoke about the probate office delays in the HSE and I will go and find out what is going on because I do not have an answer to that.

Senator Lombard spoke about the new agriculture correspondent who was appointed by RTÉ this morning. It is a real pity that the only way RTÉ could appoint somebody was by making it a double job between consumer affairs and agriculture. It reflects what our national broadcaster, which is looking for an increase in its licence fee, thinks about rural Ireland and farming. The Senator has asked for a debate on rural economies and how they thrive. I will organise that debate. Senator O’Loughlin spoke about the €1,000 bonus and how some sectors that did well from Covid might like to give a tax-free payment to their employees. That is a good example of something we could ask of the Minister for Finance and we will follow up on that.

Senator Wall talked about the gambling control Bill and the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, which I will organise a debate on once I get a date. He also spoke about the leaving certificate. Senators Wall and Gavan asked for a debate on housing and I will organise that as soon as I can. What Senator Gavan described this morning is particularly outrageous. No HAP payment should continue if the person has failed the HAP standards inspection seven times. It is a disgrace and I commend him for bringing it up. The Senator also brought up the leaving certificate because like me he has a son who is doing it this year.

As I said, Senator Boyhan brought up the acquiescence of the Minister for Health to meet the Irish Thalidomide Association. The Cabinet meeting on Friday on the easing of restrictions was brought up by Senator Kyne. There is nearly a galloping pace for all of us to say that is done and dusted and let us get back to normal but all of us probably need to caution that reopening will bring its own set of idiosyncrasies. We all have to genuinely be careful. Senator Malcolm Byrne opened today’s proceedings by talking about the influence and impact of the European Union and our membership thereof. He spoke about all the positives that come from it, of which there are many. We need to have another debate on the future of Europe and it would be nice to have Roberta Metsola, who is a young woman with major ambition, over for a conversation. The Cathaoirleach might send the invitation because such a debate would be nice. I also want to say to the Senator that there are some delays in the Passport Office and I will write to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, to see what is going on.

I thank the Cathaoirleach; I rambled on a bit.