Seanad debates

Wednesday, 14 September 2022

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

2:30 pm

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank colleagues for raising the various topics today. Senator Lombard requested a debate on the taxation and welfare report. I suggest we would have to allocate a hell of a lot more than the normal 90 minutes to that particular report. I note the large amount of sensationalist reporting and scaremongering in recent weeks, maybe to fill the pages of our newspapers because there was not much else to fill them with. I will be pleased to arrange a debate. I am even more pleased that the Taoiseach announced yesterday that the kite flown by a newspaper with regard to inheritance tax is not one that will be considered in the budget negotiations over the next couple of weeks.

Senators Lombard, Dolan and Carrigy, and Senator Keogan who led on the matter today, raised the issue of the 35 supporters of children who are outside the gates of Leinster House this afternoon. It is fair to say that we all support the people who are waiting on this drug, Kaftrio. We know the life-changing impact it has had from the previous campaigns by parents of children aged over 12 who were provided with the drug some years ago. When the negotiations were held between the HSE and the company that makes the drug in 2017, the drug had not then been verified for use by children under the age of 12. Therefore, even at that stage we could not have included children under 12. I totally appreciate that and that is why they were not included then. However, we now know the benefits the drug would provide for the 35 children whose parents were outside the gate today. They come from all parts of the country. It is a crime that we have been farting around since 4 July talking about how much we are going to pay when an offer has been made to provide the drug at exactly the same price that is paid for children over the age of 12. I am embarrassed to have to say that I will write today to the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, not just expressing the Seanad's wish to have this matter sorted out but, on behalf of Senators, seeking a meeting with the Minister and the Taoiseach. There are some instances and issues that are above and beyond politics and this is one of them. I thank colleagues for raising this matter.

I wish Senator Hoey well in her investigations and her representations on what is clearly a distressing issue for the staff of Dublin Zoo related to the welfare of the animals there. When a protected disclosure is made to a Minister or Department it is incumbent on them, under the legislation as written, to carry out an investigation. It seems bizarre that those doing the investigation are investigating themselves. I wish Senator Hoey well with this matter and I hope she will not be given the run-around in future.

Senators Carrigy and Ahearn requested a debate on school transport. The initiative, which seemed to be wonderful when it was announced, has clearly had unintended consequences because thousands of children who were able to get a school bus last year cannot get school transport this year. Saying we have issued 125,000 tickets this year whereas we only had 102,000 tickets last year does not herald this as the success we would like to think it is. We have a kind of Groundhog Day every single year when school transport issues arise and everybody raises them. It is the same issue every single year. This year, we have added fuel to the fire and we certainly cannot wait any longer. The Minister was in the Chamber earlier taking a Commencement matter with a number of colleagues. I will ask for a debate because this issue needs to be resolved sooner rather than later.

Senator Burke requested a debate on inland fisheries which I will facilitate. Senator Gavan requested a debate on housing which I will also facilitate. Senator Horkan requested a debate on retrofitting and the shortages of labour that seem to be stalling these projects, and I will facilitate that. Senator Kyne asked me to engage with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, regarding the level of funding for water treatment facilities around the country. It seems bizarre that a county as large as Galway only has 33 such facilities. While Tipperary is a large county, the difference - 33 facilities versus 99 - does not correspond to the size of those two counties. I will engage with the Minister on the matter.

Senator Blaney asked me to write to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, urging him to continue the help-to-buy scheme, which has been a success for all of those who have managed to get their tax back and help pay towards their houses. I will be happy to do that.

Senator Conway requested debates on the three topics that were central to the debate at a symposium in Dublin Castle yesterday. Again, I will try to facilitate that.

Senator Murphy, among other colleagues, raised the secretarial assistant contract negotiations and the recommendations issued to all of us this morning. An invitation has been made to every one of us to respond to the recommendations. As mooted today, some elements are welcome while others are clearly not welcome. I encourage all Senators to make their views known and make representations on behalf of their staff.

Senator Black asked us to be bold and ambitious with regard to the increase in the minimum wage. This will be the tenth increase in the past ten years, which is welcome. I fully understand and appreciate that certain bodies do not feel the increase will cover the cost of living. I will certainly relay that view on the Senator's behalf.

Senator Moynihan asked for the construction defects report on 100,000 homes. They are homes. Sometimes reports describe them as "units" but people live in houses or homes, not units. These are real people's lives. They have been living in stress and fear for far too long. I will write to the Minister asking for a resolution or at least a response to the report he has had for many months now.

Senator Ó Donnghaile spoke very eloquently about the response to the Queen passing. The Minister of State, Senator Hackett, spoke this morning about food producers in counties Laois and Offaly. Senator Craughwell asked us all to write a letter to the commission regarding secretarial assistants. He also sought a debate on a conflict of interest that has been uncovered. In fairness to the Senator, as we are all aware, he protests in the House week in and week out about not getting answers. Finally, during the summer, he did get answers and they were not pleasant. I will seek a debate with the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, with regard to the search and rescue, SAR, tender and the business case.

Senator Byrne highlighted the student accommodation issue at the University of Limerick and Mary Immaculate College and asked me to check with the Minister for Health with regard to the effect on medical cards, which I will certainly do today.

Senator Crowe stated that is unacceptable in 2022 that Bus Éireann does not take card or phone payments. Cash is no longer the only acceptable payment method and he asked that the company be brought out of the dark ages. I will certainly raise that matter with the Minister for Transport

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