Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senators Dolan, Murphy and Kyne raised the IFA meeting in Corrofin last night, which outlined the importing costs, the threats to food security, the increase in the cost of fertiliser and the absence of meal. While Senators have welcomed the supports from the Government, they are looking for a debate on food security and I will organise that in the next week or so.

Senator Currie and others talked about passports and highlighted the concerns that were raised in the newspapers this morning. I can cite my own bizarre experience in that regard. One of my constituents contacted me on Sunday morning. Bags were being packed before the family realised the passport of a young adult son in the family was out of date, which caused major panic. I asked them to make the application online on Sunday and the passport arrived in the post this morning. When we can get something that right, one would have to reflect on how we still get so many things wrong. I know the Department is defending the deployment of additional staff of 600 to 900 people, which I welcome. I have an office in Balbriggan and the passport office is just up the road from me. I probably spend too much time there, to be honest. We need to reflect on our communications. An advertising campaign is required so that we do not have people packing their bags on a Sunday morning and discovering an out-of-date passport. The communications between the Department and our citizens has to be brought to the attention of the Minister because it is not accurate and it is not working, as reflected in the contributions of the Senators.

Senators Currie and Ardagh both talked about the unprecedented demand for hormone replacement therapy. I believe that is a result of the debate that has happened not only in this Chamber but also on our airwaves in recent years. That has absolutely made women come forward to say they have an increased awareness and are no longer going to accept being told by doctors or anybody else to just get on with it.That is a very welcome change in society but we must be aware that increased awareness was always going to bring about increased demand for the product. The competitiveness and attractiveness of the Irish market has to be recognised by the Minister and the teams in the medicines agencies. In a free market, no business will sell its product at a 60% loss compared with other markets. That is just the reality. We certainly need to step up to the plate to make sure we make Ireland competitive and attractive for those businesses so we can supply the needs of Irish women.

Senator Maria Byrne talked about UL, UHL, their progressive attitude towards clinical trials and the success of those trials. Only the other day, I heard a young lady on the radio who is currently participating in a trial speak about what a positive impact it had on her life, which I had never heard before. We should probably cite and praise these facilities more for conducting these trials and continue to encourage them.

Senator Boyhan talked about his trip to the Scottish Parliament with regard to BIPA meetings over the past number of days and has requested a debate on the islands, which I will certainly ask for. Senator Ahearn spoke about the three-month anniversary of the war in Ukraine and his fears the EU might be putting pressure on the Ukrainians to negotiate as opposed to continuing to support them, which I hope we continue to do.

Senators Fitzpatrick and Moynihan talked about the report on urban regeneration that has been released and both are looking for a debate on it. The most obvious thing for all of us, as was cited by the Senators, is to reuse our existing buildings in whatever way, shape or form we can, supported by the Government. It is certainly the low-hanging fruit and something we should encourage.

Senator Ward looked for a debate on the genocide happening in China with regard to the Uyghur population. Yesterday's BBC report made for very stark reading. I will certainly write to the Minister for Foreign Affairs today and make that a matter for priority.

Senator Warfield looked for a debate on the Oxfam report on the increased wealth of the billionaires of the world, especially those in Ireland. I know there are only a few of them but it is hard to see people getting richer when others are struggling so much. I will certainly arrange that debate as quickly as I can.

Senator Conway very much welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Health on Friday evening of the catch-up programme for the HPV vaccine. This very welcome announcement brought to all our social media and news programmes the beautiful face of the late Laura Brennan. We are all mindful of the significant contribution she has made to women's health in Ireland. We remember her and praise the legacy she has left behind.

Senator Murphy not only spoke about the IFA meeting but praised Lisa O'Rourke and Amy Broadhurst. It must have been a wonderful weekend in Roscommon because it certainly lifted the spirits of most people. I am reminded of the amount of success Irish female boxers have had in the past year. It is wonderful to see. I thank the Senator for bringing that to our attention.

Senator Moynihan looked for a debate on dereliction in our towns and cities. The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Hackett, spoke about her anticipation of, and welcome for, EU just transition funds for climate action in the midlands.

Senator Gavan spoke about the very successfully attended protest on Saturday, which was good to see. I will say, tongue-in-cheek, that Prime Minister Boris Johnson will solve this in the next couple of weeks but given we are waiting for the past number of years for it to be solved, I probably do not put much store in that. I hope there will be success in the negotiations in the coming weeks. He also spoke about the medical scientists' strike and looked for the Minister for Health to intervene.

Senator Mullen talked about his support for a debate on food security and also brought to our attention the recent canonisation of Titus Brandsma. The Senator always brings fascinating information to this Chamber, which is very welcome. I acknowledge Titus Brandsma stayed in Ireland, with the brothers at Whitefriar Street in Dublin and in Cork, before he left for a tour of America. He was apparently here to learn how to speak English. In typical Irish fashion we have to lay claim to every beautiful spirit in the world, but he certainly seemed to be one of them. I thank the Senator for bringing that to our attention.

Senator Kyne also looked for a debate on food security but, very importantly, welcomed An Bord Pleanála's decision to give planning permission for the Celtic interconnector between Ireland and France. It will certainly improve our energy security but, more important, when our final ambitions are realised for the volume of wind, solar and sea energy we can create in this country, we will be able to sell that energy across the EU, which will be very important.

Senator Chambers opened our debate by looking for clarification on the national retrofitting scheme.It is a wonderful scheme that was announced at the beginning of this year. It seems to be frustrating insofar as the registration process for all the organisations that had previously supplied the other schemes are finding it frustrating to get on the list. From our perspective, however, and more importantly, the number of people applying to these one-stop companies and not getting access to the immediate service they expect is causing frustration.

Senator Chambers also congratulated Sally Rooney on her inclusion in Timemagazine's 100 most influential people. We wish her continued success because we are all enjoying the fruits of her talents so far.