Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

If it is okay with Members, I will not go through everything in as much detail as usual as we have run over time considerably to accommodate people coming in on the last Order of Business before the recess.

On the point raised by Senator Seery Kearney, I certainly would be in favour of a collective approach in this House to a weekly debate on that issue. What is going on is disgraceful. People are being left with what is, in effect, a life sentence because they get no help. It is breaking up families and leaving people at the point where they may think of checking out of life. We all agree with the Senator on this. Let us do something like she has proposed. If we do not do it, it will not get done. I thank her for her remarks regarding the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, who is trying her damnedest. We have seen how she has been treated by some officials in terms of blocking her from doing her job. I am with the Senator on that, as are all Members. Let us make this our top priority for the next term.

I concur with the remarks thanking all the officials and staff who have worked with us this term. I hope they get a break over the summer months.

I join Senator Gallagher in congratulating Councillor Ian McGarvey, who is about to turn 92 years of age. That is a significant milestone. It is a good message for all of us to take on board that although we are often looking for younger voices, there is always space for everybody.

Several Members called for a debate on the Defence Forces. I hope to have it scheduled for the first sitting week in September. Senators Malcolm Byrne and Buttimer called for a debate on the Future of Media Commission. I am afraid it will not happen this week but it will be one of our top priorities for the first week or two after we return in September.

Senator Moynihan raised a particular issue relating to the Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022, expressing concern that there will not be time to debate amendments. There is no time limit in that regard and we may debate amendments for as long as is needed during the debate this evening. The debate will not be cut off and will only adjourn once Members have finished speaking on it. There is no guillotine.

I take on board what Senator Mullen said regarding the abortion services review and the associated report. I note he is representing a particular viewpoint that is held by many citizens. There is respect for that, although many of us in the House take a different view on the matter.

Senator Moynihan requested a debate on An Bord Pleanála and the report that is due. We will look for that debate.

Senator Cummins spoke about EPA provisions regarding septic tanks. I suggest that he put in a Commencement matter on that issue, which concerns the grant not being available to people who purchase a home after the deadline and where the tank was not registered. This might be appropriate for discussion on the Commencement debate.

I concur with the remarks by Senators Fitzpatrick, Ward and others on the ongoing war in Ukraine and the need to keep a focus on that issue. It is very nice for us that we are heading off into the summer recess but our friends and neighbours in Ukraine, who are 20 weeks into this conflict, will continue to be in that situation. It is important that we keep shining a light on the atrocities that are happening.

If it is okay with Members, I will leave it at that.