Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join you, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, in those congratulations. It is lovely when somebody else, not just your own, recognises your brilliance. I wish the Cathaoirleach congratulations and continued success.

Senators Dolan, Carrigy, Ahearn and Lombard have looked for probably two debates. One is about special schools and their locations and, particularly, the length of the journeys some of our children have to make in the morning just to attend a special school in the absence of having one in their own locality. There was a mooted debate a number of years ago in the Department of Education to make a decision to co-locate a special school on the same grounds as every new school that was being built. I am not sure if that has gone awry but I will certainly organise a debate on special schools and special education delivery. Separately, I congratulate Senator Carrigy because the work of the Joint Committee on Autism is coming to a conclusion. Maybe we will arrange to have a debate between now and Christmas, when the committee's report is due to be published, on the report distinctly and separately from a debate on the special schools building programme. We will try to do both between now and recess in December.

Senator Buttimer asked for a debate on human rights, specifically LGBT rights, in light of the stories we have heard in recent days of members of the LGBT community fleeing Afghanistan and how horribly they are being treated.

Senator Currie spoke of a report by two young ladies in Le Chéile Secondary School. We like their style and would like to see a lot of what they have asked for implemented.

Senator Murphy spoke about the horrendous story of the 3,000 young people being used as money mules by criminal gangs. We need a hell of a lot more debate and research on and, particularly, assistance for people in that age group because they are susceptible to being used, as we can see. Money is an allure, particularly for young people who do not have any.

Senator Burke wants a debate on regional balanced development. We will organise that. Senator Dolan touched on that matter as well.

Senator Gavan seconded Senator Boylan's amendment to the Order of Business. I am happy to accept the amendment. That is no problem at all. Senator Gavan also asked for a debate on the final report of the NTA, as did Senator Maria Byrne. I do not think Senator Gavan was here when Senator Byrne was present earlier. To my mind, something underhand is definitely afoot. We need to call on the Minister to make a specific statement today on the absence, for the second time, of the northern distributor road, it having been put back in when we brought the matter to his attention the first time. I have made contact with his office and, therefore, as soon as I have any response I will come back to the Senators. If, however, we do not get a satisfactory response, I will arrange the debate, in which case I will come back to the Senators beforehand and let them know.

Senator Mullen spoke about his pleasure at the election of Rishi Sunak as the new British Prime Minister. I hope I am not speaking out of turn in saying that I hope to see from today the return of dignity to politics in the United Kingdom, specifically with regard to the relationship that has faltered in recent years, during the terms of the previous two prime ministers. The thing that gives me a little hope is the number of times during the summer debates Prime Minister Sunak mentioned Ireland and Northern Ireland. I hope for a return to some respect and dignity in the relationships we share.

Senator McGahon asked for a debate on Irish Water because of the ongoing two-year disruption and provision of brown water to the people of Dundalk. He spoke about not only the quality of water but also the quality of responses, or probably the lack of quality responses from Irish Water. We will try to arrange that debate.

Senator O'Sullivan asked for a debate on the governance and control of arts and literary festivals. The Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, will be here on 8 November to talk about safe spaces and the arts report, so that might be an opportunity to discuss both matters. I will come back to the Senator and see if that is acceptable. If not, we will organise something different.

Senator Higgins expressed her concerns about the order for tomorrow. I totally take on board what she said and appreciate the concerns she raised. She also mentioned some issues with Commencement matters. Other colleagues have raised such issues in recent weeks. It might be worthwhile for the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight, CPPO, to do an analysis in order that we can see what kind of a response we are getting and from whom. I can appreciate that it is not acceptable for somebody who just might happen to be on the rota on a particular day to have to come before the House to take a Commencement matter because they will not necessarily know the lie of the land of the Department in question. We will look at that in the CPPO and come back to the Senators on it.

Senator Hoey asked for a debate on postgraduate funding and welcomed the review the Minister is doing. She spoke about the statutory processes ongoing with regard to the metro project and BusConnects.

Senator Boylan proposed the amendment to the Order of Business and discussed the Bill she hopes to bring forward soon to discuss what is absolutely unethical behaviour on the part of one of the largest corporations operating in this country. When we look at lists of the wealthiest institutions, industries and countries, Amazon appears a lot higher on such lists than probably some 40 or 50 countries, so its power is not lost on any of us. I wish the Senator well with her legislation.

As I said, Senator Maria Byrne spoke about the removal of the northern distributor road. I will come back to her and Senator Gavan later.

Senator Craughwell spoke about the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Defence and the row they are having at the moment about sergeants. I noted with some amusement Senator Craughwell's request this morning that maybe the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform should just take over. I am sure the Department would be delighted if we all decided that it should take over because it is at the centre of continuous discussions and disagreements with all other Departments. I will raise the Senator's concerns as he raised them this morning with the Minister.

Senator Chambers talked about the welcome changes to the licensing laws, although there were mixed reviews yesterday. The thing that probably concerns me the most is that, whether patrons have mixed reviews, they are in charge of their response to the law as to whether they go to the pub later, but those who do not have any responsibility for the changes and for how patrons will act are An Garda Síochána. I believe we need to see extra resources, particularly around the hours of the extensions. The really worrying thing - and I agree with what the Senator said about this earlier - is that while we hear that never before have we had as many gardaí in the force, which is true, it is also true that never before have we seen so few of them on our streets.The growing concerns we have around antisocial behaviour need to be addressed, and I will try to organise a debate on that.

Senator Chambers asked for a debate on wind energy, as did Senator Mullen. I look forward to a time by 2027 or 2030 when apparently our energy bills will be slashed, because they are not slashed today. We need to have the conversation now. If the technology is there and we are being told it is not, we need to find out why. We will have a debate on this, which I will organise.