Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators for their contributions. Senator Cummins welcomed the investment in the roads programme. He commented on yesterday's news about the Supreme Court upholding the granting of permission to Glanbia for a new multimillion euro cheese plant, which will support 4,500 dairy families in Waterford and the wider south east. He also spoke about the move towards continental markets for cheese.

That Senator Martin raised the issue of judicial reviews shows how there are divergent views on the matter just as there are in court cases. I have gone on record as expressing concern regarding the large number of judicial reviews being granted. The Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Burke, is considering reviewing the matter. The Attorney General, on the instruction of the Taoiseach, is also considering a review of planning. We will have this debate at other times in the House.

Senators McDowell and Burke spoke about the home retrofitting plans and clear evaluations. I agree that a large amount of work needs to be done, not only on retrofitting but also on the house building programme. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, was in Galway last Friday. We visited GMIT, soon to be part of the Atlantic technological university, where we met students who were studying retrofitting and the wider area. Under budget 2022, the Minister's Department has provided €22 million for the green skills action programme, €17 million of which relates to retrofit and near-zero energy building skills. The Department has been engaging with industry in this regard. It is a matter that is worthy of debate and a request has been made. Perhaps we could examine it in terms of the wider issues relating to construction. I will follow up on the request. I understand we are awaiting a date with the Ministers involved.

Senator Burke also raised the issue of modular construction. I do not have details on that but it might be worth tabling a Commencement matter, speaking to the Minister or raising it during our debate on housing.

Senators Gavan and Ahearn spoke about University Hospital Limerick, UHL. I concur that no one should be hiding patients. If a hospital is trying to get additional investment, it should be open and transparent about what it is dealing with. For years, I have heard about people being moved around when a Minister visits, the place being polished, flowers being placed in reception and so on. That is all rubbish. A Minister should be able to see what is there to be seen and no one should be hiding anyone. The Taoiseach has requested that the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, visit. Senator Gavan mentioned that the Minister had made an unannounced inspection yesterday. That is to be welcomed. There has been investment in University Hospital Limerick. I understand work on a new 96-bed inpatient unit is to start this year. Yesterday, this matter was raised at the Joint Committee on Health by Senator Conway and Deputy Crowe with Mr. Paul Reid and Mr. Robert Watt. I was in and out of that meeting, but Senators will be able to find the details.

Senator Wall called for a debate on rural transport and student fares. I will make that request. He also spoke about the cost of living for students. The Minister, Deputy Harris, is considering the question of student registration fees. Without making a commitment, it will be part of his budget demands in the meantime.

Senators Fitzpatrick and Seery Kearney called for a debate on crime, including teenage violence, and the regulation of social media. The media Bill will be before us next week. Putting assaults on TikTok and other social media platforms needs to be clamped down on and regulated.

Senator Ardagh raised an issue concerning the Irish Cancer Society. It would make perfect sense for the anomaly to be rectified. I am sure she will take it up with the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, or raise it as a Commencement debate. The Senator spoke about sports capital funding and the Our Lady of Hope Special School, which the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State at the Department of Education, Deputy Madigan, have had a significant hand in delivering. The Senator also discussed inner-city clubs. Building sporting infrastructure is vital for all parts of society, but access to that infrastructure is equally important. Yesterday, my parliamentary party debated how the issue of all of these wonderful new school buildings and general purpose, GP, halls not being accessible to communities in the evenings needed to be examined. There was a large level of State investment but doors are often being shut to the communities thereafter. Those were valid points.

Senators Ahearn and Ward discussed the drug Cariban. I have read reports on it. I hope the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, follows up on his plans for the drug.

Senator Ahearn also raised the important issue of sports capital grants. I welcome all of the funding Senators have mentioned. Inflation in the cost of living is an issue across all aspects of society, including construction, which will have a knock-on effect on sports capital grants. A tender might have been sought for a project a number of years ago and now the cost of delivering it has increased by 10%, 20% or 30%. I will raise this issue with the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers.

Senator Craughwell mentioned a wonderful event at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa in Renmore last Sunday commemorating the centenary of the barracks' handover to the Irish Army. He also spoke about UHL and the fact Ministers should not have to micromanage because that was a requirement of management. That is true. The heads of the HSE and the Department of Health were before the committee yesterday to be accountable for issues like this. The management of the mid-west group should also be held accountable for things that are not happening. If there are failings in government, investment or so on, they must be called out, but if there is a failure in management, it also must be called out.

Senator Cassells, who is a great sportsman and GAA supporter, spoke about the wonderful initiative being taken by Mr. Tim Barry from Rathdowney in tabling a motion at GAA congress on requiring members to attend drug, alcohol and gambling courses. It is a novel approach to something that is prevalent across our society. There is no point in people putting their heads in the sand and believing this only happens in urban and larger rural centres. It is an issue I hope gets a good airing at the GAA. Ultimately, deciding on the motion is a matter for the GAA's members and delegates. If it is not agreed, though, then it will continue to be raised.

Senator Conway spoke about the report on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, DSGBV, and the third national strategy's launch by the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, yesterday. The strategy takes a zero-tolerance approach and cites four key pillars of protection, prevention, prosecution and policy co-ordination. People are invited to make submissions on the strategy. DSGBV is an issue of importance to all Senators.

Senator Warfield raised the subject of Seanad reform. The Cathaoirleach has given a better response than I could as to what we have and have not done. A Trinity by-election is under way, which highlights one way of being elected to the House. While some would say that panel is the most democratic part of the House, it is not as democratic as it could be. There are still many issues floating around. I am unsure as to where stands the electoral Bill Senators McDowell and Malcolm Byrne mentioned. We can follow up on it.

Senator Murphy referred to the welcome additional funding of €700,000 for An Chistin in Castlerea provided by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Humphreys, from the community and rural development fund and the €2.2 million sports capital funding announced for Roscommon.That is very welcome. He also raised the issue of the National Women's Council having only invited members of the Opposition to speak at its rally, which is unusual. A lot of important work on women's rights is done across parties and in a non-partisan way across these Houses. The issues of repeal were championed across different parties and none. It is regrettable that there would be this partisan approach taken to not invite Government representatives to speak.