Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I concur. I acknowledge all the contributions that have been made by those who were clearly Noel's friends. I extend my condolences to Noel's wife, Mary, and all his children and family, and, indeed, the Fianna Fáil colleagues he had and the odd Fine Gael colleague he had. He certainly sounded like a wonderful man. I will organise a service and statements here to honour his service to the State as soon as possible.

Senator Flynn raised this morning the passing away of Ms Ronnie Fay in the past couple of days. She was widely known and highly regarded and respected within the Traveller community because of her human rights campaign, which she championed over 35 years. She was a very proud Skerrieswoman. She taught camogie and mentored the girls' teams for donkey's years. Above all, she was a wonderful, kind-hearted, generous, sweet, sweet lady. I extend my condolences and those of all the Senators to her family and children and the wider community who are mourning her loss today.

Senator Craughwell raised the report that the Minister for Foreign Affairs acknowledged on the radio yesterday. The Taoiseach did make a statement regarding it yesterday, outlining that the Cabinet, in so far as it was concerned, had answered the questions that needed to be answered. I am quite sure, however, that the Oireachtas committee will bring forward the Senator's request. I believe there is a private meeting today and I am sure the Senator will be at it. If other questions need to be answered, I have no doubt that the committee will address them, as is his wish.

Senator Cummins talked about Waterford Airport. I was actually at the Cabinet table the day the then Minister, Mr. Shane Ross, announced the funding. That is not today or yesterday. Therefore, what the Senator is saying really is striking. I am not sure whether we can blame Covid, judicial reviews or the possibility that An Bord Pleanála is under-resourced, but there is certainly something wrong when there are strategic developments such as Waterford Airport and sizeable housing projects of 200 to 1,000 houses being delayed for unknown reasons. I will certainly make inquiries today. I agree with the Senator that what he is calling for is long overdue.

I am really sorry that Senator Boyhan has had to raise again today, very sincerely, his commitment to supporting the Thalidomide Association of Ireland. I assumed a couple of weeks ago, when he came in here really happy that the Minister had acceded to meeting him, that a meeting would happen within days. I will follow up with the Minister's office today. A response referring to a meeting at some unknown point in the future is not really a response, and it is not good enough. I am probably one of the people who did not reply to the email. I have not seen it yet so I apologise. I certainly will make the representations today and revert to the Senator later.

Senators Lombard, Ahearn and Paul Daly all raised the exemption that seemed to have quietly slipped under the radar on 1 January. I will write to the Minister today and ask what the plan is. It certainly needs to be addressed. If the exemption is not going to be reintroduced, something else needs to be done, and done very quickly. I will do that today and revert to the three Senators.

Senator Lombard spoke about our digital hubs and the proposals by our local authorities to impose rates. All I could think about was the fact that it is such an Irish thing for us to get in our own way; it really is. It seems like a ludicrous thing to happen. Again, I will raise the issue with the Minister and revert to the Members later.

Both Senators Seery Kearney and Gavan sought a debate on the pending publication of the social welfare committee's view on the pensions commission's report, in addition to the report it published a couple of months ago. I will organise that as quickly as I can.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan spoke about the announcements on the leaving certificate yesterday, as did Senator Aisling Dolan. I must be very sincere and say I am not sure I completely agree with the Senator's synopsis of what happened yesterday. I suppose we have to see the lighter side of these things. I have a young man at home who will be 18 in a couple of weeks and he will have his first vote in the next election. I have lost it. That is pretty much the feeling in our household at the moment. The sad reality for most young 17- and 18-year-olds, who comprise a sizeable group of 60,000, is that they feel we have not listened to them. They feel that we, as grown-ups, have told them yet again that their voices do not matter, what they think and feel does not matter and what they have gone through in recent years is irrelevant, and that it is more important for us to all get back on track. What is really dispiriting is that, in recent weeks, two teachers' unions that have been vehemently opposed to change and that said the past couple of years did not have any implications for students and their educational experience are now heralding that the changes that have to be made by the Department to the examinations need to take into account the educational interruption of the past two years. It is incredibly disingenuous. That is not to say that the Minister was not between a rock and a hard place. I admire her calm, measured tones. She really did manage it as best she could. I am just not sure that the outcome is the appreciated outcome that the young students wanted. I acknowledge that this raised the matter this morning. I will try to have a debate on it as quickly as I can.

Several colleagues, including Senators Gavan, Flynn, O'Sullivan and Black, raised the Amnesty International report. I will try to arrange a debate with the Minister as soon as I can on that issue.

Senator Burke raised the public service charge and the increase in our household bills, particularly for electricity and gas. He mentioned connections to grids and how expensive they are. He implied that it all seems to be about money and questioned why the public service charge must be paid when a connection fee is paid. The Senator has raised some very valid points, which I will bring to the attention of the relevant Minister.

Senator Murphy talked about the great need for leaving certificate reform. He also called for a debate on the impact of Covid and young people. I will certainly organise that as quickly as I can.

Senator Keogan asked when we will finally be able to allow our children to see the happy, smiley faces of their friends and teachers. The Chief Medical Officer announced this morning that NPHET would make a recommendation in this regard on 17 February. I realise it is not much sooner than the end of February, as alluded to by the Senator, but at least it is a couple of weeks sooner. By Jove, it cannot come soon enough. I thank the Senator for raising the matter.

Senator Kyne talked about Rossaveal. He has been raising the matter in question for the past several weeks. The development is going to be a game changer. I acknowledge the Minister's announcement yesterday of the deepwater harbour for that part of the world. The region is going to have a bright future owing to the development of wind energy, which will be great.

Senator Moynihan talked about the abortion review. When I see the terms of reference, I believe we will have a short debate here on the review of the legislation that we passed some years ago. We will keep a close eye on the matter and come back to it.

Senator Boylan asked for a debate on biodiversity. She spoke of the crisis regarding what is probably our lack of respect for nature and habitats. I will organise the debate as soon as I can.

Senator Hackett talked about the time of year that it is. It is time for planting. The Senator referred to her organic farming scheme, which is really worthwhile. While €5 million might seem like a small amount, it is only the start. This will be consistent and very much part of our future.

Senator Currie spoke about the neurological nurse shortage. The best thing for us to do is to try to have a debate with the relevant Minister by way of statements. I will arrange that for the next couple of weeks because there is probably not an acute hospital in the country that does not have a shortage of neurological nurses.

Senator O'Loughlin referred to the damage to Caragh Bridge and the impact it is having on County Kildare. She is seeking an assessment of all the bridges in the area. I will certainly ask the relevant Minister to consider that for us.

Today we were very privileged to have our proceedings opened by Senator Norris. Ulyssesis one book that I could not read until very recently. Another book has been written to show you how to read it. I know that probably sounds like a somewhat stupid thing but I am probably not the brightest. Ulyssesis a difficult book but it is so worthwhile and rewarding. There was a lady on the radio yesterday trying to explain to us how, when you get to a difficult part, you should just leave it and come back to it. The book is one of the most worthwhile, well-respected, world-renowned pieces of literature. There is a whole culture and movement behind it, which is wonderful. It is such a pleasure to listen to Senator Norris, who nearly goes into a different zone or world when he talks about Ulysses, because it is in his genes. It is so lovely to hear him and to have him here this morning. I acknowledge the other Senators' great welcome for him today.