Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. A debate on energy has been requested by a number of colleagues, namely, Senators Burke, Buttimer, Malcolm Byrne and Boylan. We have to talk about a variety of issues, not just security of supply but also rising energy costs and the impact not just on households but our businesses and farm contractors. The farming community is a wider community. I will arrange that debate. Next week's schedule has already been completed, but I will arrange for debate the week after Easter.

A number of colleagues spoke about the census, which is welcome given that it is a year late. The collection of data is incredibly important for mining so that we can ascertain what kind of future policies we have and, in particular, what kind of services we have and where those services should go.. A number of people raised particular issues with it which I will touch on. In response to Senator Ward, the stress in our household regarding what we are going to put in that particular section is causing no end of conversation at our dinner table every evening. It is novel and allows us to reflect on the past and where people in our families were 100 years ago. It also invites us to think about the advances in 100 years for the people who will come after us and what we are doing now in order that they have a safe environment to live in. It is lovely. Even if it only prompts conversations at home, it is welcome.

Other colleagues have reference the oddity, if that is the nicest way I can put it, of the CSO and its officials asking people, when assigning a gender, to pick one, other or both in terms of male or female. It would have been perfectly simple to put the categories of male, female, transgender, non-binary, gender neutral, pangender or agender on the form and allow people to tick a box, without causing consternation, upset or any difficulties for anybody. I agree it is very odd and unfortunate and we have to make sure that we try to make sure it does not happen when we gather the next round of data in four years' time.

A number of people touched on a dividing issue, which should not be divisive because human rights and treating people with dignity is something to which we should all aspire. Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility. I was struck by something Senator Mullen said, namely, that everybody should matter equally. That is absolutely true. Everybody should be treated equally with dignity and respect, regardless of the form they take.

We will have debates in this country on the provision of services, in particular healthcare services, disrespect, lack of equality and the sometimes repugnant nature of the way people are treated with a lack of dignity in this country. We can certainly have that debate. We cannot have a debate on differences of opinion without respect for the people at the centre of the debate. Senator Hoey said it perfectly when she remarked that just because we might not agree with somebody's form, decisions or choices in life - we all know most of them are not choices - we do not get to disrespect people's right to be who they are, be visible in terms of who they are, be treated with respect and be acknowledged. Many of our friends and people in our communities are treated with disregard, disrespect and downright disingenuous behaviour by some people. To be honest, it is not good enough.

Senator Horkan asked for a debate on trans issues and the delivery of services for trans people. It is within that debate that we can have and share our differences of opinion, but we cannot disrespect human beings who are trying to live their lives with dignity and expect us to support them with dignity regardless of whether we agree with their choices. That is something that should be said today. Senator Horkan also welcomed the announcement from Mr. Jamie Wallis, MP yesterday, which must have been incredibly difficult for him. It was incredibly brave, given the backlash we see against people in the trans community. I want to put on the record that I hope, as parliamentarians, that we all support his announcement, and continue to support what is a minority community in Ireland and around the world and treat people with respect.

Senator Dolan spoke, as she always does, with such pride about her local initiative, and I wish her every success with it.

Senator Lombard spoke about the GAA. He said some games are being ring-fenced for pay-per-view packages, which is a real shame. A number of years ago certain sports events were ring-fenced by the then Minister for sport to make sure they could never be pay-per-view. We need to have that conversation again and I will bring that matter to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, and will ask him to come to the House for a debate.

Senator O'Loughlin spoke about World Autism Awareness Day, as did Senator Maria Byrne. Inclusion in the workplace is something that I do not think gets enough attention. We have a 6% target within State agencies and authorities, yet we have exactly the same recruitment mechanisms and tests for people of all abilities. As we all know, a tremendous amount of people are on the spectrum and suffer from Asperger's syndrome, ADHD or any of a list of challenges. They could not possibly go through a normal interview process or test in the same way as people in their whole of their ability could. It is incumbent on the State to make sure that we reflect the target of 6% in how we recruit people. I encourage people to make representations on that basis if they can.

Senator O'Loughlin also spoke about the school completion programme and the symposium held by Fórsa yesterday. I congratulate it on that.

Senator Maria Byrne spoke about the census question on carers, something I forgot to mention when I spoke about it. It is important that we gather information in respect of family carers, most of whom are unseen, in order that we can respond appropriately.Senator Craughwell, in quite an emotive contribution spoke about his passion for the Defence Forces and the very sad passing of Michael Tighe. I want to put on the record of the House that we will send our deepest sympathies and condolences to Mr. Tighe's family. Senator Horkan spoke about the Trinity by-election. We are all political animals and we are probably all refreshing our Twitter feeds every ten or 20 seconds to see the latest news on the vote. I thank all of the candidates for applying and for partaking in democracy in Ireland. I wish the remaining candidates well. I look forward to welcoming one of them as a new Senator to the House next week.

Senator Currie spoke about the bonus payments for healthcare workers. As only we can do in Ireland, we take what is a wonderful initiative and make a hash of it before it finally gets awarded. I hope a decision is reached very soon and that it is a fair and just decision that genuinely reflects the people Senator Currie spoke about this morning. They volunteered through nothing else except good community spirit and goodwill. We should look after everybody who minded us and served us so well during the 24 months of the pandemic.

Senator Gallagher spoke about farm contractors and sought a debate which I will organise. Senator Buttimer asked for a debate on trans issues and I will organise it in the coming weeks. Senator Malcolm Byrne spoke about Garda numbers specific to the Wexford division. I suggest he writes to the Garda Commissioner and perhaps the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the basis that local gardaí are being used at a national port. Obviously the port has increased traffic and throughput because of Brexit. Perhaps it should be a separate assignment for gardaí.

Senator Hoey spoke about the review of the repeal legislation and the closure date tomorrow. I look forward to having this debate in the coming weeks once we have the review. Senator Carrigy spoke about the success in his neck of the woods, and obviously it is because he championed it, of the silent streets for the St. Patrick's Day parade. It is heartening to hear other parades such as that in New York will take on the initiative and look at it next year. This will be very good.

Senator Gavin spoke about the safe access zone legislation that will come to the House next Thursday. I hope that it passes and that there will not be a lengthy wait before it goes to the Dáil. It is something we genuinely all need.

Senator Malcolm Byrne opened the debate speaking about the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, and energy costs. We will arrange a debate the week after Easter. Arising from our contributions on that date we might collectively write to the CRU with regard to the standing charge increases that are multiples of inflation and keep a close eye on the increases we have seen announced by Bord Gáis, Electric Ireland, Energia and all of the other service providers in recent weeks. There is no doubt international prices are increasing but the prices being reflected locally are nowhere close to the prices quoted on the international markets. We need to keep a very close eye on it. I will organise the debate as soon as I can.