Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators who contributed. We started with Senator Doherty, who spoke about her Bill. I welcome the Smith family to the House this afternoon and thank them for their work in this area. I commend Senator Doherty on the work she has done on this very worthwhile Bill and thank Senator Mary Seery Kearney for her input. I am sure the entire House, as many Members have already stated, will fully support it.

Senator Dooley raised the controversy surrounding Irish dancing and referred to the importance of people having faith in the process. People are seeking transparency, which is vital. He requested that the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin, come to the House to debate this issue. I will see what I can do in that regard.

The Senator also raised the hospitality sector. As we know, the VAT rate for the industry is due to an increase early next year. This is a matter of great concern, particularly for people in hospitality outside of the capital. The Senator mentioned price gouging and unfortunately that has occurred. However, many businesses throughout the country were not involved in that and now have grave concerns about the future of their business as a result. I understand the Government is looking at some imaginative ideas on how that blow could be lessened. We will see how that develops.

Senator Craughwell thanked Senators Doherty and Seery Kearney for introducing their Bill. He raised the security of the underground cables in our seas and asked that the Minister for Defence come to the House. As many other speakers alluded to, the Minister is a regular visitor to the House and has been very forthcoming with his time. I am sure all Members are grateful for that. In relation to the specific issue the Senator raised, I understand the Taoiseach has had negotiations with the Estonian Prime Minister on this issue and progress is being made. It is, as the Senator said, a vital issue and it is important that all citizens have confidence in the security of our data. We will see what Senators have to say on that.

Senator Wall spoke about the widow’s and widower's pension and contributions, which are very worthwhile. I speak as someone whose mother has been a widow for the best part of 40 years, so I can understand the challenges there. Senator Wall would like the Minister to take that on board and we will pass on that message to the Minister. The Senator also spoke about rural transport and Local Link and welcomed the progress made in that area in County Kildare. We all welcome that. Local Link has been a huge success and if there is potential to expand it further, we look forward to that happening.

I thank Senator Mary Seery Kearney for sharing her personal journey with us. I am sure it has been very traumatic and I have no doubt the Smith family know all about that. I am sure I speak for all Senators in saying I would like this worthwhile Bill to pass both Houses as a matter of interest.

Senator Boyhan and a number of other Senators, including Senators Paul Daly and Eugene Murphy, mentioned peat. This is an issue close to my heart and I know Senator Doherty has championed it as well. We have worked together on legislation to try to solve this problem. It is frustrating that we have still not found a common-sense solution to this problem. It has reached a critical stage. The issue straddles a number of Departments but somebody needs to take a lead on it because jobs are at risk. Coming from County Monaghan, the home of the mushroom industry, I am well aware of the importance of turf and I will contact the Minister on the matter.

Senator Buttimer spoke about the delay in issuing the junior certificate results. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister. The Senator called on the Minister for Education to come to the House to debate a wide range of issues related to education. We can arrange that.

Senator McGreehan welcomed the Smith family and complimented Senators Doherty and Seery Kearney on the Bill they have tabled. She spoke about the Irish soccer team and the issue with some of the chants in the dressing room in the aftermath of their famous win this week. I congratulate the entire team on their fantastic achievement. Not long ago, these women were sharing tracksuits and changing in airports. They have come a long way and we are extremely proud of them. I come from Donegal and I listened to Amber Barrett being interviewed after the game in the wake of the events of the week that has just passed. She spoke about where her family is from and their connections with Creeslough. It was truly inspiring. It is disappointing that this particular incident has clouded the airwaves, if I can put it that way. Senator McGreehan called for education in relation to all these matters. It is vitally important that we all have a full grasp of our history. That is something we can look into. I thank the Irish soccer team, the FAI, Vera Pauw and the entire squad for the lift they have given this country last week and, God knows, we badly needed it.

Senator Kyne spoke about former councillor John Mulholland from Galway and his legacy, not just as a member of a local authority but also as someone involved in the racing industry and a businessman. Our deepest sympathies go to his wife and family.

Senator Ward complimented Senators Doherty and Seery Kearney on tabling their Bill. He spoke about the role played by non-consultant hospital doctors and how, unfortunately, we struggle to hold on to these excellent people, not only doctors but also nurses. He referred to the attraction of moving to Australia and the pay and conditions attached to that. Unfortunately, many of our good people are leaving. The Senator raised a valid point about non-consultant hospital doctors being transferred from one end of the country to the other and having to keep two houses and pay two rents. He asked that the expenses associated be made tax deductible. That is a fair and reasonable argument and we can raise the matter with the Minister. Senator Keogan also supported the Bill. She spoke about meningitis, septicaemia and the need for more of a public awareness campaign on that, especially for our young people, including teenagers. That is very worthwhile. It can be a cruel disease with fatal consequences so if there is more public awareness then that is to be welcomed. I will bring the Senator's proposals to the Minister for Health to try to get a public awareness campaign moving.

Senator Paul Daly talked about food waste and said that 25% of the food we produce is dumped. That is a waste in every regard. Thousands of people in the country are starving and it is a crazy situation. It is something we should have a debate on and I will try to arrange that debate.

Senator Lombard talked about tourism and American tourists and his point was well made. American tourists coming to Ireland are getting exceptional value with the currency being as it is. That is something we should cash in on so it is worthwhile and timely that we would have a debate on that and on how we can redouble our efforts to take advantage of the marketplace as it is presenting itself. That is something I will bring to the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin, with a view to having a debate on it.

Senator Carrigy mentioned history, how it is taught in our schools and its importance, with which we all agree. He talked about affordable housing and how in places like Longford, the thresholds are such that a lot of people are not eligible for affordable housing and there are many counties in a similar situation. The Government and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, have introduced the serviced sites fund whereby local authorities can put forward serviced sites for first-time buyers and young people. Housing is an important issue and the Government has to do all it possibly can in order that our young people will have houses whenever they require them.

Senator Martin talked about the féile in Kildare last week. I compliment him on being chair of that committee and it is great to see the huge success of that event. I am sure that was down in no small measure to the Senator’s energy. I have known him for a long time since he was a member of Monaghan County Council and I know that when he puts his mind to doing something he does it to the best of his ability. It is great to see that so many visitors came to Kildare and I have no doubt that will be an annual event going forward. We look forward to it progressing down through the years.

Senator Murphy also mentioned peat and he would have expertise on the horticultural sector. It is vitally important that we find a solution to that issue. He mentioned Deputy Cahill and Senator Paul Daly's work on the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine and their efforts in trying to highlight this issue. It is disappointing that they have gone so far and not found a solution.

Senator Ó Donnghaile talked about the Consumer Rights Bill that is before us. He talked about the bilingual aspect to that Bill and about trying to promote the Irish language. He is bringing forward amendments in that regard and he is asking us all to reflect on that. It is important that we protect and promote the growth of our national language. I thank the Senator for bringing that up.