Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators for their contribution. Two themes stand out, the first being International Women's Day. I wish all women across the country and the world a happy International Women's Day. It is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women but of course not everyone is going to enjoy this day in the same way as others. The second theme that emerged as a major issue was Ukraine. Clearly, there are millions of women and children in Ukraine that are having a very pitiful, worrying and sorrowful International Women's Day and our thoughts and prayers go to all of them. I commend Senator Dooley and Billy Kelleher, MEP, on their trip to Ukraine at the weekend. It was an important initiative to hear and see at first hand from those in authority and to see in real life what we see on the screens. Senator Dooley talked about what is needed in terms of equipment. Senator O'Loughlin commented on support for Ukrainians and her work in the past in opening homes for the Special Olympics.Following the establishment of the portal yesterday, so many Irish people are offering to open their homes to Ukrainians. Certainly there will be some issues there in terms of vetting and child protection issues that will have to be sorted but certainly the spirit of generosity is there. Senator Pauline O'Reilly talked about approved housing bodies not allowing some of their homes to be made available or rooms within their homes to be made available. I certainly hope that the committee within Cabinet that is dealing with Ukraine can examine that and see the rationale as to why that is happening. It really should not be happening.

Senator Malcolm Byrne talked about an invitation to President Zelenskiy. We can certainly take that up with the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight. Perhaps the Leas-Cathaoirleach will raise it with the Cathaoirleach in his absence and with the Ceann-Comhairle to see about a joint sitting to invite President Zelenskiy. I will ask the Leas-Cathaoirleach to take the matter up with the Cathaoirleach.

Arising out the issues in Ukraine, Senator Malcolm Byrne also talked of a debate on the future of Europe. I will certainly ask for that.

Senator Craughwell touched on the issue of neutrality. Many of the issues that have come to the fore over the last period of time have always been there. We have a situation whereby as a neutral country we will not support the purchase of a tank for example, but we will support the purchase of fuel to run the tank. There is a slight anomaly there in my view; it is an Irish solution to an Irish problem. There is a serious debate needed in respect of this matter. Some would say that Ukraine was attacked because it was becoming closer to NATO, but it is not a member of NATO. The question is whether if it was a member of NATO, would it have been attacked. That question is extremely important. That is not to say that I believe we should join NATO, but there are serious questions here regarding our role and our security. If we cannot defend our nation, who are we going to get to defend us should something happen? People will say who is going to invade us? In 20 or 30 years' time, who knows who might invade or what sort of madmen will be out there.

Senator Norris opened the proceedings with a tribute to the former Senator, the late John A. Murphy. I know the Leas-Cathaoirleach will have that arranged to be sent together with other contributions as well last week, during the minute's silence and tributes to the family.

Senator Conway talked about International Women's Day in the context of Brigid Hogan-O'Higgins, the former Deputy who represented East Galway and who will celebrate her 90th birthday on Thursday. She was first elected to the 16th Dáil in 1957. We remember her and her contribution at a time when women in politics were very rare.

Senator Pauline O'Reilly talked of her disappointment regarding the fur farming Bill. There was an issue with section 7 of that Bill in terms of the engagement with the fur farmers. We are talking about only three farmers, but they have rights. They employ a significant number of workers. Discussions need to take place and be concluded with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Obviously, not wanting to prejudice those discussions, there was some concern expressed in the House regarding accepting section 7 of the Bill in advance of concrete information on what is happening in regard to compensation. That was the reason the Bill was pulled for today. If there are more concrete developments in the next few days, I hope that the debate on the Bill can proceed later in the week.

Senator Pauline O'Reilly also talked about the great news in regard to the temporary school building for Galway Educate Together. The school has been operating in temporary accommodation that is no longer fit for purpose. The Department has come up with school buildings in Newtownsmith in the heart of Galway city. That is a positive development.

Senator Ó Donngaile talked about International Women's Day. He is right of course, women are very often the most impacted by poverty, war, cost of living, and unfortunately we see women and children leaving in their droves from Ukraine. There will be millions of people displaced depending on how long this war lasts. Will it last a year? Will it last five years? We do not know. We hope it will be finished tomorrow. We wish it never started, but it did. This country, the European Union and the international community have to assist by doing all that they can.Senators Hoey and Flynn also referenced International Women's Day, as well as the issues surrounding Travellers and the Traveller movement, such as their lower life expectancy and higher rates of suicide. Senator Flynn spoke of the National Travellers Women's Forum and how they want a brighter future for their children. Of course, we all want brighter futures for all of our children here in this country and across the world as well. Senator Flynn referenced accommodation. The budget for the past two years has been spent in our local authorities, according to the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, which is important because it was not being spent.

Senator Dooley talked of his trip.

Senator Buttimer talked again of Ukraine and standing in solidarity and the céad míle fáilte that will no doubt be shown to Ukrainians, some of whom already have arrived, as well as those who will arrive in the future. I imagine that the St. Patrick's Day parades across the country will reference support for Ukrainian citizens. I can imagine the flags will be flying in our St. Patrick's Day parades as an act of solidarity and no doubt that will happen organically. Senator Buttimer also talked about the rise in fuel costs, which is something that is very much a concern. Some of it is relating to the international instability over the past number of weeks but it is something that is becoming more of an issue. I will certainly ask for a debate on that.

Senator Keogan first expressed the hope that we can all support the coffee morning tomorrow morning in the Members' private dining room at 10 a.m. We will do our best to be there. It is held in support of the situation in Ukraine and there will be ambassadors from around the world attending. She asked for a debate on public liability and certainly that was the view, namely, that we were going to have a fall in premiums if the amount of payouts fell. That certainly is what we were being told, that if the payouts are reduced, the premiums will fall. Where that is not happening, it should be the case. Therefore, we will ask for a follow-up with the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, on that. IPB Insurance, the Irish public bodies mutual insurers, does a tremendous job in relation to our local authorities and if it can expand its cover, it would certainly be beneficial to community groups. I can certainly suggest that to it and I urge the Senator to contact them as well with the representative from her native county and any other county.

Senator Hackett talked of International Women's Day as well and noted women in the midlands.

Senators Ahearn and Maria Byrne talked of the N24 road, among a number of other things. I would like to again compliment the Minster, Deputy Eamon Ryan on agreeing that where there was, if you like, sterilisation of land, because a number of routes were chosen for roads, for example, in the N24 and the Mullingar-Longford area as well, that they would be allowed to continue the process to get to preferred route stage. That would reduce the level of land sterilisation and from there, one can go to the next stage of planning and design. Therefore, it is important those steps are continually taken. I would like to welcome that announcement from the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan and compliment Senator Ahearn, in particular, on his advocacy on that. He also mentioned Councillor Marie Murphy in Tipperary, the cathaoirleach of the first citizens forum in the region.

Senator Maria Byrne also asked for a discussion on agency staff and the costs for carers. Clearly, carers do much travelling and driving. They have to be able to drive to be able to get from Mrs. Murphy's house to Mrs. Keener's house or whatever and they are driving up byroads going up beside those places. They cannot be expected to rely on public transport in rural areas . Therefore, it is required that you drive your car. Where that is costing money because of increased fuel prices, there needs to be recognition of that.

Senator Boylan talked of the €200 energy rebate, which is due to be taken off people's bills. She talked of the issues in relation to the committee. I will ask that the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan be contacted. He will have to decide whether the record needs to be corrected or not. I am not aware of what he said in particular. However, I know the reason there was a universal scheme was to ensure that there was speedy enactment and provision of funds. If we had to go through a more prolonged period of legislation to determine who was eligible or not and how that would be enforced and the administration of that, it would take longer and would be possibly more costly.I welcome that the credit has been issued. I will contact him on where that funding is coming from.

Senator Currie spoke about an issue that is very close to my heart, namely, community centres. I have long advocated that as things stand, there is no community centre fund to which people wishing to construct a new community centre can apply. As the Senator will know, €5 million was allocated in last year's budget for the maintenance or upgrade of existing community centres but I am not aware that any scheme in that regard has been launched. The Minister, Deputy Humphreys, will be able to provide information in terms of her plans to roll out that scheme. The Senator mentioned that that scheme should be open not only to local authorities but community centres in the ownership of the church and other groups. The latter would have to be eligible because if there are fire safety or other issues, they need to be rectified. I would advise the Senator to engage on the matter with the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, by way of Commencement matter.

In my view, there is an absolute necessity for a community centre fund for growing and newly-established communities. The cost of building a community centre from scratch are astronomical. It costs up to €7 million to build one to specification, depending on size, with new modern day standards, building regulations and so on. There needs to be a dedicated fund for growing communities throughout the country.

Senator Ward raised the issue of water sports and sailing. Again, the Senator might consider raising a Commencement matter on the issue because it is quite specific or he might request a meeting directly with the Minister. There are a number of sports in which we could encourage more participation subject to funding, equipment and volunteers. I have no doubt there are greater possibilities within sailing. I encourage Senator Ward to engage with the Minister and the Department to see what additional opportunities might be made available to encourage sailing across the country.

I reaffirm my support for International Women's Day, which was the main focus of contribution today, and solidarity to all those who are fleeing the atrocities in Ukraine.