Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the Senators who contributed to the Order of Business. Senator Cummins welcomed the significant announcement of the approval by Cabinet today of €170 million for public infrastructural elements on the North Quay in Waterford city. I have taken the Order of Business on a number of occasions and he has raised the matter numerous times and kept it alive in the House. He commended all the members of the Cabinet and I am sure the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, who is a local Deputy in the city, will also be delighted to see that level of investment into Waterford city. I concur with the Senator’s remarks about the importance of balanced regional development to see other cities and regions get significant investment. He mentioned that there will be a new bridge over the River Suir, a relocation of Plunkett Station and additional access points. It is a huge project and I wish the people of Waterford city the best. I have no doubt the project will be transformative for the city and all its residents.

Senator O'Loughlin spoke about the OPW display of artwork by Newbridge Local History Group, which is working with nine artists to bring to life the local history of the area and the 20,000 people who left during the war. I understand it will be open in the Phoenix Park until December for people to view. It sounds like a fantastic display and I say "Well done" to Newbridge Local History Group and the artists involved.

The Senator also requested a debate with the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment regarding the loss of tech jobs in the country, acknowledging the announcement today that Meta will cut 13% of its staff and the job losses in other companies such as Stripe and Twitter. She highlighted the importance of those types of high-quality jobs and the fact that many tech companies have their headquarters in Dublin and elsewhere on the island. It is a very important industry for us and that debate has been requested, so we will get it at the earliest opportunity.

Senator Clonan spoke about the issue that has been ongoing for more than two decades relating to sexual abuse cases in the Defence Forces and what some of their female members have been through. He referred also to the issue of non-disclosure agreements. It might be worth requesting a debate with the Minister for Defence on the issue and I will speak to the Senator about that afterwards. I am sure it will be a sensitive topic but it is one on which the House would probably welcome an update, with an opportunity to have a more extensive debate, which it would be appropriate for the House to have.

Senator Boylan spoke about the Moore Street campaign. Many of my party colleagues, including Deputy Ó Cuív, who is one of the key people, will have joined in that campaign. She has mentioned the issue on a number of occasions. I concur with many of her remarks on the importance of that space in the country's history, not least in the events of 1916.

Senator Moynihan raised the issue of building defects, especially in apartment blocks, in Dublin 8. I have received information from the office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage that the interdepartmental group has been established and is working and there is hope that will be completed before the end of the year to give information to people who are doing or have done works and are continuing to deal with that ongoing issue. The Senator spoke also about Tyrrelstown, the 35 apartments that are to be sold by one landlord and the 100-plus residents who will be left without anywhere to live when that happens. She acknowledged the benefit of the eviction ban that will be in place until early next year but argued there will be a problem after the lifting of that ban. She might engage directly with me, the Minister or the Leader's office to deal with that view. I do not have details on the landlord in question and what is happening, but I concur with the Senator’s remarks that a significant number of people will be left with nowhere to go and it seems a bit of a stretch to say the landlord will be greatly disadvantaged on that front, so she might engage directly with me on that.

Senator Keogan spoke about the ongoing protests in Iran, pointing out that we are on day 55. She mentioned issues with her own mobile phone and hacking that has taken place, and it is unacceptable that this has happened to an Oireachtas Member. I received a letter from the Iranian Embassy following the debate in this House that was held regarding events in Iran and the protests taking place there. The letter was worded in a tone that I did not consider appropriate to come from an embassy or ambassador in this country to an Oireachtas Member, and I did not take kindly to it. I believe other Senators may have received a similar letter. I am not sure whether it was limited to group spokespersons or to those who had engaged in the debate. Let us be clear: as a House, we are perfectly entitled to debate issues of that nature. I stand fully over the remarks of all Senators and the wording of that motion, which was modelled on a similar motion at European Council level. We will not be silenced or intimidated, in any shape or form, into not having our voices heard and we will continue to debate, discuss and highlight the ongoing human rights abuses and atrocities that are taking place in Iran. I reiterate our solidarity with the men, women and children of Iran, who are going through an horrific time, and in particular the women of Iran, who are just trying to fight for basic freedoms we all enjoy without even a thought in this country. I acknowledge the loss of life of 550 people, including 41 children. My heart and sympathies go out to the families and communities. It was an appalling loss of life and the issue is still ongoing.

Senator Gavan spoke about the Shannon Heritage group. I am not familiar with the ins and outs of that issue. Perhaps a Commencement matter could be tabled to see whether we can get further details on it. I do not know why the issue has not been progressed. I acknowledge the challenges for those working in those areas and the very important contribution those heritage sites give not just to that region but to the entire country. They are a tourist point for international visitors to Ireland but also for domestic visitors, and it is important we get that resolved.

Senator Maria Byrne raised the withdrawal of KBC Bank and Ulster Bank and the freezing of accounts that is due to take place in the coming days, and argued that there should be ongoing engagement. The Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform are keenly aware of the ongoing issues. I understand the banks have engaged in an extensive campaign to try to get people to move but they tried to do it in a short, truncated fashion.Some people need longer and need more assistance. It is incumbent on the bank to engage with people and make sure that no citizen or individual is left in a situation where they cannot get their direct debits paid or get their bills paid. That is not acceptable. They have a commitment and responsibility to the Irish market until they leave. They need to look after people when they are exiting.