Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are a little constrained on time because Lord McFall is coming in. Senator O'Loughlin spoke about her meeting with Jason Poole regarding his sister, who we know lost her life to domestic violence. The Senator reiterated the call for a domestic violence register of offenders that would be accessed by An Garda Síochána and possibly potential victims. It is the strong belief of Jason Poole that Jennifer would not have lost her life had that register been available. A debate with the Minister for Justice has been requested. This will happen in the next few weeks. I think it will be towards the end of the month. We are finalising what topics will be covered because there is a wide range to address in terms of antisocial behaviour and other justice areas and the Minister has not appeared in the Seanad for a quite some time. It may be the case she will need to come back to the House for a second debate if it is not appropriate to group certain topics together.

Senator O'Loughlin also spoke about the Adoption Authority of Ireland and the birth tracing and information legislation that has got up and running. Four hundred applications were received on Monday. She congratulated Eric Donovan and Fintan Bray. Eric Donovan has become European boxing champion. My party colleague Fintan Bray was the first person with Down's syndrome to be elected to a senior position in any party in the country. I congratulate him on his election and wish him well for the term ahead.

Senator Seery Kearney spoke about the approval by two Oireachtas committees of a request to release information from an Oireachtas laptop. I do not propose to get into that. People will understand the sensitivities around that matter, which is the subject of a criminal investigation. She also raised issues around surrogacy and comments by another Member in yesterday's debate - references to it being simply a contract. Obviously, she disagrees with those comments. Again, I do not propose to get into a back-and-forth between two Members.

Senator Clonan spoke about the debate last night on the high-level action plan for implementing the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces. We had a very good debate. I have put a request in through the Leader's office to get the Minister for Defence back into the Chamber at the earliest opportunity. I thank him for being willing to come back in because he did not get much time yesterday to go into other areas. There is a considerable degree of experience and interest in this House regarding these matters. I concur with the Senator's remarks about the Reserve Defence Force as an aid to the civil authority. There is a missed opportunity there. There may have been a closed mind going back a number of years and possibly a fear of encroaching on somebody's else's territory. I think we have moved past that and there is an opportunity there to explore the many talents and experience that reservists have to offer the country and assisting their partners in the Permanent Defence Force.

Senator Ó Donnghaile congratulated Laochra Loch Lao, the Gaeltacht football team in Antrim that won the junior B championship. He also referenced the Ireland’s Future event, which took place last weekend. He spoke about Lord McFall visiting the Oireachtas and speaking in this House today and welcomed the perceived change in tone, which I welcome, from the British Government so that things might get moving ahead in terms of Northern Ireland and wider issues.

Senator Moynihan spoke about cost rental and social housing and raised the issue of specific housing development projects in Dublin city. I am not familiar with the ins and outs of those projects. This Government has for the first time delivered cost rental units. There has been an unprecedented level of investment in housing. A total of €4.5 billion will be spent on housing next year. It has never been at this level before, so every effort is being made to address the housing crisis, which we accept is ongoing. However, it is not as though nothing is being done. I take on board the Senator's comments around green spaces, playgrounds and community facilities, but local authorities are giving funding to provide those amenities. That is their bread and butter. That is their task. If there is a shortfall in funding, an application should be made to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to address that, but that should not prevent housing projects being delivered. I think Senator Moynihan said it was 20 years for one particular project. I would say there probably needs to be some accountability as to why a project has taken 20 years for and still has not yet been delivered. I am not sure if that is the fault of the Minister.

Senator Black extended her sympathies to the Mason family on the loss of Rory, who was fighting in Ukraine. I concur with her remarks in that regard. She also referenced Ireland's Future. Senator Horkan welcomed the debate later with Lord McFall.

Senator Cummins requested a debate with the Minister for Social Protection and that request has gone in. That will probably form part of our budget debate but the request has been submitted.

Senator Keogan asked for a debate on housing and I will make that request. I take on board her point around the tracker mortgage scandal and the loss of family homes. It does not matter what fine is given, you will never repair the damage done to those families. The banks have a lot to answer for in that regard. I was glad to see quite a hefty fine levied on Bank of Ireland, but it will never recover what those families lost. That is the long and the short of it.

Senator Casey raised the issue of the VAT rate on hospitality. Both he and Senator Buttimer requested a debate on that issue and a wider debate on hospitality and tourism, which has been requested.

Senator Boylan spoke about IBEC's objection to domestic violence leave. I share her views. IBEC asked for an economic analysis by Government to be completed to see if the cost benefit existed for employers to provide paid leave. I think it is missing the point entirely. If we are serious about eradicating the scourge of violence against women in this country, everybody needs to get on board. We need employers on board. The Government needs to assist employers, especially SMEs, in meeting that additional cost so there is a balance to be struck. IBEC needs to reflect on its position. Its lobbying was disappointing.

Senator McGreehan spoke about fuel poverty and referenced Energy Cloud, the need to reduce waste and the number of families facing fuel poverty this winter. It was welcome to see a €12 increase across the board in social welfare payments, once-off €500 payments to many households and an increase in the threshold for the fuel allowance. Many more families will receive the fuel allowance this winter and for a longer period so the Government has provided a substantial social welfare package in that regard.

Senator Maria Byrne spoke about schools in Limerick under the Creative Schools programme and the funding they will get.

Senator Gallagher's contribution this morning was very emotional. It is a difficult one to respond to. My heart goes out to Oliver McVeigh and all of the McVeigh family on the loss of Columba and the fact that they have not been able to recover his body. I sincerely hope that, one day, they will get the closure they need and that Columba is laid to rest with his parents. They have had to go through and are still going through a heartbreaking situation. I welcome the fact that the search has been resumed.

Senator Flynn spoke about the pre-booking of tickets and how that might impact somebody fleeing domestic violence. That is an interesting point I had not previously considered. She also spoke about language, as she often does, and the need for respectful debate.

Senator McGahon spoke about school transport. I am pleased to give an update to the House. Obviously, it was fantastic to see that the Minister for Education secured additional funding to put on extra buses to get extra capacity. Bus Éireann has been tasked with securing extra buses and drivers. If we are honest about it, the Minister cannot magic up extra buses or drivers. Every effort is being made to find those. Families who applied on time and previously had concessionary tickets will be prioritised, which was sought and with which I agree.

Senator Carrigy spoke about the summer provision and has requested a joint debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. I do not believe there is provision to have a joint debate with two Ministers at the same time. My understanding is it is under the remit of the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan. A request will go to her office to request that debate at the earliest opportunity.

Senator Mullen spoke about the case of Enoch Burke, a fellow county person. I would be aware of the situation. I agree with the Senator's comments. I think it does fall on the lower end of the scale in terms of offences. I was surprised to see he ended up in Mountjoy Prison, which is usually home to some more serious offenders. I think the matter should be expedited. Having spoken to the governor of Mountjoy previously on a visit, he would be of the view that there are many people in that prison who should not be there and would be better served with other solutions, and I believe Enoch Burke is one of those people.