Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

There are three issues I wish to raise today: the Irish Thalidomide Association; scoliosis patients and the waiting lists relating thereto; and the EirGrid, Electricity and Turf (Amendment) Bill 2022, which relates to the Order of Business.

First, I want to read a letter which many of the Senators will also have received today. It states:

Today is Thalidomide Memorial Day and if you can at 2pm today pause and think of all those people and their families who have been, and continue to be affected by the Thalidomide tragedy:

The memory of the children who did not survive to enjoy a full and rewarding life;

The memory of parents and loved ones who gave so much in the care of their children;

All who worked so tirelessly in helping and supporting those who sought justice from this episode in history;

We also remember those members of our Thalidomide family who still await recognition of their circumstances.

The letter is signed by Ms Finola Cassidy, spokesperson for the Irish Thalidomide Association, ITA. It would be important, if we had time today, amongst ourselves at any time or at 2 p.m., to pause for a moment. Their cause is not complete. Their campaign is not over and they need support. More than ever, they need our support. I hope that we will use our influence and our political parties and groupings to highlight their continuing campaign.

On scoliosis, the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, approved a plan in February. He told us of great ambitions and stated that he would reduce the number of scoliosis patients waiting more than four months from 94 at the end of January to zero by the end of the year - we are nearly halfway through the year - increase scoliosis spinal surgeries by 92 in 2022, reduce the overall scoliosis waiting list from 224 at end January to 128 by the end of year and have additional 107 spina bifida cases treated. Given the time, perhaps the Leader would use her good offices to write to the Minister rather than have the Minister back in here, if he has difficulty coming to the House. These are busy times for all Ministers. I respectfully ask that the Leader write to the Minister on our behalf in order to get an update on these key figures and where matters stand halfway through the year. It is better that we know now how we are doing on these targets in order that they can be met in the second part of the year.

In the context of the EirGrid, Electricity and Turf (Amendment) Bill 2022, the Leader has been clear about her position in relation to taking all Stages of a Bill at once. We are coming to the end of the term. It might be helpful for the Leader to explain in response to the Order of Business the rationale for this proposal. There is a rationale in this case but it is something that we should not make a habit of. In fairness, during Senator Doherty's watch as Leader, it is not something we have had to deal with. We need to give scrutiny to all legislation, including the EirGrid, Electricity and Turf (Amendment) Bill 2022. In this case, there is a proposal on the Order of Business today. The Leader might explain to the House the rationale for that proposal.