Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I did and I lay in bed looking at the ceiling for an hour. I thank all Members for their contributions this morning.

Senator Malcolm Byrne kicked off by welcoming the three-year strategy announced by the Minister, Deputy Harris, on research and innovation. He then spoke about the difficulties in Irish amateur boxing. It might be worthwhile to have a debate on sport in the House, but perhaps a Commencement matter on that issue would be worthwhile at the outset. The Senator then spoke about Finland and Sweden's decision to join NATO. We note the implications of that. I have heard some Finnish politicians speaking about this. They have been far more aligned with NATO over the years and have built up a relationship. However, it is a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape and will no doubt have implications for Ireland and the European Union. We need to discuss this. I have requested a debate on a defence at the earliest opportunity with the Minister.

Senator Ahearn spoke about the urban regeneration fund and the money that was made available in Clonmel for the regeneration of Kickham Barracks and the development of a local sports hall. The Senator raised a specific question about getting part-funding from the Departments of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and Housing, Local Government and Heritage to try to make phase 2 of that project potentially more successful. I suggest a Commencement matter on that issue might be appropriate because the Senator has a specific question.

Senator Boyhan initially proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, seconded by Senator Keogan, to introduce a planning and amendment Bill around heritage. I believe the Bill has been drafted by Senator Norris. I am happy to accept that amendment.

Senator Boyhan then spoke about the publication yesterday by the Ombudsman for Children, Dr. Muldoon, of a report which relates to particular issues with children around special education and the difficulties in accessing school places and services. He asked for a debate on that report and the work of the Ombudsman for Children. We will request that debate with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Senator Warfield spoke, as he has on many occasions, about the banning of conversion therapy. That needs to be progressed. I am not sure what the delay is on that front, or whether the Senator has tabled a Commencement matter on it or met with the Minister. He might talk to the Leader or me about getting a debate on that because it needs to be advanced, especially given the Senator has legislation on the Order Paper since 2018.

Senator Wall mentioned the attendance at the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands of representatives of Family Carers Ireland. He referenced the very powerful testimonies given by some of the witnesses there. We know the important and valuable work that carers do in this country. Not only do they save the State a considerable amount of money, but they also do very valuable work, often at their own expense. That needs to be recognised. The Senator raised the limit on housing adaption grants, which he has raised on numerous occasions. There are ongoing difficulties with the increased costs of acquiring building materials and getting work done. He also spoke about the need to work on gambling restrictions and referred to other Senators in that regard as well.

Senator Cassells spoke about a local Navan man, Keith Russell, and his incredible sporting achievements since he took up running in 2016 in support of his daughter. I concur with the Senator's remarks and wish Mr. Russell well. We are all in awe of his achievements. He is certainly not an ordinary individual. He is an extraordinary individual. Senator Cassells may follow in his footsteps with similar sporting exploits. Senator Conway spoke about the welcome and really good news that Ryanair is to lease a hangar at Shannon Airport, with an investment of €10 million in the airport and the region and the creation of 100 to 150 jobs. I wish all in Shannon Airport the very best with that. It is fantastic to see some good news. That level of announcement is important for the airport.

Senator Keogan spoke about citizens information, the digitisation of those services and the lack of face-to-face interaction. I agree with the Senator that face-to-face interaction is important for many people. Those services are there. We must acknowledge as well, though, that times are changing and many people are accessing information online through their phones or their PC and over the phone and email. It is a matter of trying to strike the right balance to cater for those who still want the face-to-face interaction but acknowledging that nothing remains the same, services change and move, and people are accessing information remotely at a greater level.

Senator McGahon spoke, as he has done previously, on the challenges facing the electric vehicle industry and the charging network and the fact that if a person does not have a private driveway, he or she cannot install a charging point. The Senator made an interesting suggestion around a retrofit grant for the installation of charging points where it may be necessary to rewire the house. It is a good suggestion. That would come under the remit of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. It would be certainly worthwhile to raise a Commencement matter on that because it is quite a specific question. It is an interesting suggestion by the Senator.

Senator Crowe spoke about long-term illness benefit, the particular conditions that are covered and, more importantly, those who are not covered. The Senator referenced specifically Crohn's disease and the need to look to try to expand that service. That is an interesting suggestion. I agree there are certain other conditions now we know are debilitating and lifelong conditions that do not have a cure and that there is a strong argument for those to be included under the scheme. The Senator might want to liaise with the Leader's office in terms of talking to the Department about that, and perhaps raise a Commencement matter.

Senator Currie made a passionate contribution. I concur with everything she said about the ongoing legacy issues in Northern Ireland, the treatment of victims and families, and the actions and commentary in recent days by the British Government to try in some way to take unilateral action to remove completely the rights of some victims and families to access justice and get accountability. The Government's position is that we are totally opposed to this. I am sure all Members in this House would join in the Senator's remarks by saying we absolutely oppose any action by the British Government to deal with legacy issues that removes the rights of victims and families to get justice and accountability for what has happened to them.

Senator Boylan spoke about the World Meteorological Organization and its recent report on climate. I agree with the Senator that there is a need to focus on the cost of renewables. In this country, we must focus on the need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels as well. The recent debate on turf burning showed there are difficulties and not all parties are in agreement. Some parties could not decide what their position was on the turf burning issues. Some parties are not in favour of carbon tax, whereas carbon tax and carbon budgets are important mechanisms and tools by which we are reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. You must be on one side or the other. It is difficult to see how the two situations can be married. Certainly, the cost of renewables needs to be tackled to make them the more affordable choice.

Senator Burke spoke about Irish Water and the need for a debate. We will request that. We have requested a debate with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the housing issue. Obviously, Irish Water comes under his remit as well and we will try and get some answers on that. I am aware of the issue with Irish Water and the fragmented holdings, which is of particular concern to smaller farmers, particularly in the west, where land might be in different locations and a connection fee is charged for each holding even though it is one business or farmer. My information is the IFA is now involved in that issue. The Department is awaiting the outcome of a meeting with the IFA to try to advance that issue, but the Minister is aware of that concern and is looking to address it.

Senator O'Sullivan spoke about the task force on liquefied natural gas, LNG. I agree with the Senator that often these task forces can go on for a protracted length of time with maybe little or no action flowing from them and that there is a need to keep an eye on them. Perhaps we will seek regular updates in this Chamber on where that is at and keep the issue live and at the top of the agenda. I take on board the point the Senator is making about the exploitation of some workers and some clients when it comes to getting people to do odd jobs or different types of work around the house. It is difficult to get workers, but it is an industry that requires regulation to protect the consumer, first and foremost, to make sure there is transparent information and that there is recourse to some sort of a dispute resolution mechanism or complaints mechanism where there is a difficulty.

Senator Dolan spoke about vacant and derelict houses and the Croí Cónaithe scheme. It is my understanding that 5,000 properties will be delivered over the next four years under that scheme. It has just been announced but I understand the roll-out will happen quickly and certainly by the end of this year. On the specific issues in Ballinasloe, perhaps the Senator would raise a Commencement matter because it is quite a specific question about how many units there will be for her area. I understand the scheme is under way and will be moving very shortly. It is a four-year scheme.

Senator Buttimer spoke about the Irish Property Owners Association. A number of Senators attended that briefing. A debate request has gone to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. We will get the Minister into the Chamber at the earliest possible opportunity. We need to have a conversation around why are landlords leaving the market and how we stop that from happening. There is a big difference between the small landlord with maybe one or two properties and the big institutional investors with which we have particular difficulties, but we need to maintain supply, and access to rental properties is a big problem. We have requested that debate.

I should say as well we have a debate with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in the month of June. The date is to be confirmed, but next month we will have the Minister, Deputy Ryan, into the House.