Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Absolutely.

Senator Wall spoke on a couple of issues, firstly agreeing with Senator O'Loughlin on Cross and Passion secondary school. He also asked to expedite the review of housing aid, adaption and mobility grants because of the rising cost of construction. Everyone in every part of the country will deal with that issue. I suggest that the Senator put down a Commencement matter on that issue because it is quite specific. He also spoke about the pressure on our hospitals because of rising Covid cases and called for a health debate which has been requested with the Minister for Health. We will get it as quickly as we can.

Senator Dooley spoke on the ongoing crisis in agriculture. That debate has been requested. He pointed to the cost of inputs to agriculture, including feed, grain and fertilisers. That is putting serious pressure on farmers and the farming sector and will impact on the cost of food. We will get that debate as quickly as we can.

Senator Ward concurred with the remarks of Senator Craughwell on the Air Corps and said a number of Oireachtas Members were on the plinth for the flyover by the Air Corps. He wished Brigadier General Rory O'Connor and his team the best of luck. He also raised the issue of trafficking.

Senator Gavan spoke on the housing crisis. He referred to Castleconnell. I do not have full details of that area in County Limerick. We have a Government programme of housing, a commitment of €4 billion in spending, which the State has never seen the likes of, and a pledge to deliver 33,000 homes annually. The good news is that new figures are out today for the last 12 months showing commencement notices are at the highest they have been for a rolling 12-month period since records began. While the issue is not solved and the housing crisis persists, we are starting to turn the ship in the right direction and we are seeing more homes being built. That is on the back of a pandemic where construction was shut down for periods of time. That is positive news in the housing space to give people hope that homes are being built and beginning to come on stream.

Senator Ahearne spoke about the passing of David Hill. We had a minute's silence for David yesterday. Senator Ahearne was present on the day and I have no doubt that for those Members present for the game with the Scottish Parliament, it was a traumatic experience. I extend our sympathies to David's family, friends and work colleagues on his tragic passing.

Senator Maria Byrne spoke on the need for a debate on agriculture, which I have dealt with, and raised the issue of the waiting list for children for disability services in her area of the mid-west, where there are over 1,000 children waiting. It is an ongoing issue that needs to be addressed. It is a saddening situation for those children and families. I thank the Senator for raising it.

Senator Carrigy spoke about the Ukrainian refugees who have arrived in Longford. I have no doubt the Reynolds family are doing a fantastic job in the Longford Arms Hotel in welcoming the refugees. The issue of the numbers coming into the country was raised yesterday as well. We spoke about it this morning at the EU affairs committee. The numbers will increase and will create significant pressure but it is great to see hotels like the Longford Arms Hotel coming on stream giving that facility and accommodation. Many hotels, bed and breakfasts, guest houses and people are opening their doors to take people in where they can, which is to be commended. The Senator also mentioned the huge amount of funding every part of the country has seen for capital building projects for schools and paid tribute to the boards of management. We pay tribute to the Minister for Education and the team at the Department across the board for working with the schools which have put in good applications for funding. It is welcome and makes a big difference for many years afterwards to a school and its students to get money for capital works. It is good to see. He also spoke about the expansion of the DEIS programme, which is welcome. It had not been expanded since 2017. A host of new schools are involved in the programme. The Senator rightly pointed to the significant benefits of being in the programme to addressing imbalance. Not every student is coming through in the same space so addressing imbalance and having equal opportunities for children coming through is important.

Senator Lombard spoke on a road traffic issue involving section 38 and local authorities. He raised concerns about the operation of democracy in areas where the public and local elected members are in conflict with the local authority. That is an issue to be worked out at a local level. The views of residents of the area should be taken on board and given priority. If they are living with the traffic changes, their views are paramount.

Senator Currie spoke eloquently on the Good Friday Agreement, the Border issue I have addressed and the non-Irish possibly having to get a visa waiver, which we would not agree with in this House.

Senator Conway spoke on the Ukrainian crisis. He raised the same issue yesterday. He paid tribute to the people in Clare. A significant number of people have landed in Clare and I have no doubt they are receiving a huge welcome and assistance. He rightly pointed to the practicalities of living in the country, such as getting driver's licences and insurance and living and working in the area. We have not had the time to plan in advance for these issues so we are resolving them as we go. We ask that any organisation, company or business dealing with these practical issues for Ukrainian refugees does so with compassion and a desire to help and make it as easy as possible.

Senator Dolan spoke about the importance of volunteering and stated it can be done in many forms. It does not always have to involve money. One's time is one's most important and precious asset. People giving their time can be exactly what an organisation needs. The Senator rightly pointed to the Irish Cancer Society's big day on Friday, 25 March, when the country will go yellow and we will all wear our daffodil pins and do what we can to support that organisation, which in turn supports so many people and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis. It does fantastic work. I will finish on that positive note. I wish the Irish Cancer Society well for Friday. It has had a couple of difficult years so it is a big day for it.