Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Kyne's call for a debate on cost-of-living issues. We may not agree on some issues but there is one on which we may share common ground. While we may not agree on what should happen with the carbon tax rise - I do not believe it should go ahead in the next month or two - in the budget before last I raised the issue that the fuel allowance goes to too few people. I will give a clear example. A minimum wage worker in this country does not qualify for the fuel allowance. This means that working families who are put to the pin of their collar, with increase after increase in key costs, have no recourse to the fuel allowance. This issue should have been dealt with in previous budgets. In fairness to the Deputy Leader, I remember her acknowledging this as an issue, but here we are two years into this Government and it has not been dealt with. It would be useful if the Seanad could collectively agree on that and see if we could send a clear message to the Government that the fuel allowance issue needs to be tackled. Sinn Féin's proposals on the fuel allowance in our most recent pre-budget submission were for an extension to the allowance by two weeks, an extension of eligibility and, crucially, a €15 million discretionary fund to help struggling families with bills. Those were sensible proposals and it is a pity the Government did not take heed of them.

The second issue I raise relates to the legislation we will deal with this afternoon, the Safe Access to Termination of Pregnancy Services Bill. I emphasise the importance and urgency of this Bill. I will quote the words of some people to emphasise why this Bill is so important. These statements are from women who have experienced such protesters in recent times. The first is as follows:

I struggle with anxiety and felt very intimidated walking past the protesters. I ended up having a panic attack in the waiting room of the clinic and had to ring my boyfriend to come and pick me up to get me home as I was extremely distressed and could not face walking past them again.

The second woman said: "It was shocking. They were waving a photo of dead babies." The third woman said:

I have been receiving treatment for cancer, which means I won't be able to have children. I find passing the protest is really, really upsetting as it is a reminder of my situation

The final statement is as follows:

We finally have access to abortion services in our own country after a long-fought battle. The women of Ireland deserve peace. It is 2022 and we have had enough.

The Deputy Leader will know that there is only one Bill on the books at the moment with regard to safe access zones. I appeal to the coalition of the willing across all parties to work again today to ensure the Bill completes its passage through the Seanad. A photo call will take place in ten minutes and I apologise to the Deputy Leader as I must leave to attend it. I encourage colleagues to do likewise if they can. It is a cross-party photo call for the Together for Safety campaign. I acknowledge the support of members of all parties in relation to the Bill.