Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Buttimer opened to the Order of Business and asked for a debate on the criteria that are applied to the bidding by Ireland to host sporting events. He made reference in particular to the America's Cup, which I know is of particular sensitivity to representatives in the Cork area. The Senator had particular questions around resourcing from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and I have no doubt that he has been in touch with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, on the topic. Perhaps the subject is worth a Commencement matter, if there are specific questions on that.

Senator O'Loughlin welcomed the reforms of the leaving certificate that were announced yesterday by the Minister for Education I concur with the Senator's remarks. It is a significant day in terms of reform of education at second level in the senior cycle. It is my view that were it not for the past two years we probably would not be seeing the kinds of reforms that were announced yesterday and the level of support to bring those reforms through. I wish the Minister, her Department, all the schools across the State, the teachers and the students well in bringing these reforms through over the next years. It is of particular note that we will no longer have such a pressurised and sole focus on one final set of examinations, which benefits students who are particularly adept at rote learning as opposed to actually focusing on knowledge and education. More focus on learning throughout the two years of senior cycle is really welcome and it will make for a more modern leaving certificate. I welcome also the new subjects in drama and climate. Again, it shows that we are moving with the times.

The Senator also welcomed the local just transition plan in Kildare, and she also raised issues around drink spiking, which is an issue across the country. It is happening in every small town, village and city in the State. It is a very worrying epidemic that is taking hold.

Senator Boyhan welcomed the publication of the Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan and Senator Malcolm Byrne, or their work on this. The Senator also requested a debate on governance at local authority level following the "Prime Time", RTÉ Investigates report last week.

Senator Pauline O'Reilly spoke about a number of issues. She spoke about the greening of Ireland and biodiversity, and she welcomed the end to fur farming as a result of the passage of the Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 through the Seanad yesterday. She also welcomed the scheme for small-scale planting of native tree species, which was also announced yesterday.

Senator Warfield welcomed the new centre for research and remembrance that will be located at Seán McDermott Street in Dublin city at the former site of one of the Magdalen laundries. I concur with the his remarks. It is a really welcome use of that building and is a fitting tribute to the survivors of that awful institution.

Senator Moynihan spoke about the Ukrainian refugee crisis and, in particular, the reports we are all hearing that there would be a tented village - if we can call it that - for emergency accommodation. We would all share her concerns that this should not be a long-term solution. I hope we could move people out of those tents as quickly as possible and into proper accommodation. I also take on board comments from other Senators that we must be very careful it does not become a long-term measure. We are all seeing the numbers coming in, which are just phenomenal.I think we have Ukrainian refugees in almost all parts of the country at this stage. It is going to put a significant strain on the country but we will do our very best to help people in their time of need.

She also raised the issue of the tenant in situscheme and argued that the limit on the number of properties that local authorities can purchase is working against those tenants of small landlords who are selling their property when that property could be bought by the local authority with the tenant in situ. She makes the reasonable suggestion that the limit be reviewed by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Senator Conway also spoke about the Ukrainian refugee situation. On a number of occasions now he has spoken about the numbers coming into County Clare and he thanked the Ukrainian ambassador to Ireland for her recent visit to Clare to meet the people, which he said was really important. He also raised issues around Shannon Airport, the changeover of personnel at the Shannon Group and the role of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications.

Senator Malcolm Byrne welcomed the Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022. He also made the suggestion with regard to mask wearing that people who are particularly vulnerable to Covid could wear a particular type of mask to make themselves identifiable as such. That would give others an opportunity to be more careful or cautious around them. I had not heard that until this morning and it seems like a sensible solution, if it is a choice. If people would like to do that, it seems reasonable that it would be facilitated. He also very adequately addressed accusations made against Fianna Fáilvis-à-visPalestine. I could not have put it better myself in terms of Fianna Fáil's support, over many decades, for a two-state solution there.

Senator Craughwell spoke about a briefing by Cancer Care West attended by a number of Senators, including Senator Kyne. Some really stark figures were presented to Oireachtas Members by Cancer Care West on the outcomes for cancer patients in the west of Ireland. We are consistently performing below the national average in terms of survival rates and outcomes. One example that struck me this morning is that for patients who get breast cancer in the west of Ireland, the chances of survival are 80% compared to 86% in the east of the country, which is just unacceptable. The same carries through for lung cancer and all other cancers. We are consistently performing below the national average in terms of survival rates. What was called for this morning, which all Members would support regardless of whether they are from the west of Ireland or not, is the delivery of a specialist cancer centre in University Hospital Galway, which is provided for in the national development plan but has not been delivered yet. We will all be working collectively to try to get that delivered in the short term. Senator Craughwell also raised the issue of the tented village and other issues related to the Defence Forces and their ability to respond to the needs presenting in the country because of the Ukrainian crisis.

Senator Currie spoke about education and special education in particular. She pointed to the fact the one quarter of the education budget goes towards special education. She emphasised the need to ensure that applying for special needs assistance for students is not made onerous and difficult for parents. There should be access to special needs support without parents having to fight for it.

Senator Ó Donnghaile raised the bomb alert in Belfast at the event organised by the John & Pat Hume Foundation. I concur with his remarks and utterly condemn that incident and what happened. It must have been a very frightening experience for those present on the day. I am sure everyone in the House will join us in condemning those actions. He also raised the Acht Na Gaeilge and the fact that the British Government has not acted on its commitment in that regard. The Taoiseach has also dealt with this issue and commented on it publicly in recent days. I concur with the remarks of Senator Ó Donnghaile and the Taoiseach on that issue.

Senator Maria Byrne welcomed the public consultation process that went live today on the M20 Limerick to Cork road. She said that it is not clear whether it will be a motorway or a dual carriageway but that the public consultation process on the route is open for submissions. She encouraged people to make their views known. She also welcomed the recent opening of 71 homes in Limerick by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien.

Senator Lombard requested a debate on tourism and the current situation in the industry. I am happy to request such a debate on his behalf. Senator Ahearn requested a justice debate. He referenced a particular issue with regard to Clonmel Garda station and Macroom. I advise him to submit a request for a Commencement matter debate because the issue is quite specific. If that is not sufficient in terms of getting a reply, I ask him to let me or the Leader know and we will seek that justice debate for him.

Finally, Senator Kyne spoke very well about the briefing from Cancer Care West to which I referred earlier. He also requested a debate on capital projects in the context of the health budget. As there are many health projects across the country in which all Senators would have an interest in getting some answers on, we will make a request of the Minister of Health for a debate on same as soon as possible.

The Leas-Chathaoirleach made some remarks at the outset about proposed changes to the leaving certificate. I want to acknowledge that on numerous occasions, he has advocated for points or acknowledgement to be given for students' extracurricular and recreational activities. I have no doubt he is thrilled to see the reforms that were announced yesterday.