Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Seanad Brexit committee has worked on this issue and it is covered in our report. We will have to keep a watching brief on it and continue to highlight it in this Chamber.

Senator Craughwell first congratulated the Irish Air Corps on reaching its centenary. It had a flyover this morning. I concur with his remarks and wish the Air Corps the very best. One hundred years is a significant milestone. All of the work and service it has given the State and our citizens is to be commended. I wish the organisation well for the next 100 years. We, in this House, will always support the work they and their organisation do.

Senator Craughwell also emphasised that service in the Defence Fences is a wonderful career.We want to encourage men and women to enter the Defence Forces because the pros far outweigh the cons and it is a fantastic organisation. He also spoke about the recent visit he and Deputy Berry made to the border in Poland and raised the important issue of the potential for human trafficking of refugees coming from Ukraine to neighbouring countries and the need for security checks on those providing transportation to other locations. That was discussed at the EU affairs committee this morning and we have to keep an eye on it. Unfortunately, in any crisis, somebody will seek to profit from the misery of others. We need to be careful and provide support to the refugees, who are mainly women and children, fleeing the conflict.

The Minister of State, Senator Hackett, spoke on the calls from some to reopen the bogs in the midlands. It is her firm view that we should not exacerbate one crisis to alleviate another but must find sustainable solutions to the energy crisis, which she acknowledges is a significant issue for all households in trying to deal with rising costs.

Senator Ó Donnghaile spoke about the decision of the British House of Commons to reject that amendment, as did Senator Currie. I have dealt with that. We will keep a watching brief on that. It may require statements in this House.