Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Members for their contributions to the Order of Business.

Senator Buttimer kicked off the debate by discussing the rise in Covid cases and the health situation. He requested a debate with the Minister for Health, which I have been informed is being requested through the Leader's office. We will get that date as soon as we can provide it. He made a general point about mask wearing and suggested we need to re-introduce it. We will have that debate at the earliest opportunity.

Senator O'Loughlin raised a number of issues. She spoke about Cross and Passion College in Kilcullen, which has become the first ADHD-friendly secondary school. I congratulate the school and wish it well and I hope many other schools will follow suit. It is fantastic to see our schools are catching up in this area. I wish the teachers, students and school community in Kilcullen well.

The Senator also spoke about the Permanent Defence Force and the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis it has faced for many years. She spoke about the need to review the entry age for cadets and explore the possibility for direct graduate entry. Both of the Senator's suggestions are sensible, logical and long overdue. If the PDF wants those changes, it should be facilitated as there is a significant staff retention crisis in the organisation. The Senator asked for a debate on the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. We will request that debate at the earliest opportunity.

Senator O'Loughlin also spoke about farming issues in south Kildare and noted that €12 million has been allocated to support tillage. That funding is very welcome. A debate has been requested with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine through the Seanad Office. I spoke to the Minister today and he will provide us with a date as soon as he can for a debate on a whole host of agricultural issues, including food shortages, the food crisis, tillage, grain and fertilisers, that we need to deal with in the House.

Finally, Senator O'Loughlin mentioned non-Irish EU citizens here in Ireland who may find it difficult to cross the Border into Northern Ireland. That issue was also raised by Senators Ó Donnghaile and Currie. I concur with all of the remarks made by the Senators in that regard. It is a very serious issue. This change undermines the Good Friday Agreement and the clear understanding on this island, and across both islands, that there should be a seamless Border and no hard Border. That is what we have agreed to and the Government and this country needs to take a stronger stance in that regard.