Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Norris was the first Senator to contribute this morning. He rightly raised concerns around the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the appalling track record of human rights abuses. Many migrant workers lost their lives while building the many stadiums which now host the games. Many other members of this House have raised similar issues over recent weeks and months and would concur with the Senator's remarks.

Senator Norris also raised a particular issue around bins in Dublin city. He was quite critical of Dublin City Council's handing of that particular issue. He called for a debate with the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, which we will request but will take place in the new term.

Senator Kyne has raised the issue of Inland Fisheries Ireland on a number of occasions in this House. He spoke on it again this morning and was supported by Senator Burke. I understand there are particular sensitivities around the issue. I concur with the Senator's remarks around the need at times for Senators to use the privilege in this House to raise matters of public concern that they may otherwise not be in a position to raise outside of these walls. That is an important function of public representatives. Both Senators called on the board of Inland Fisheries Ireland to investigate certain issues surrounding a senior appointment in the organisation.

Senator Martin, like pretty much every Senator, spoke about yesterday's sitting, how fantastic it was and the work that was done.

Senator Murphy spoke about the planning and development Bill and the memo to Cabinet this morning from the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. I welcome the long-awaited reforms of the planning system that will need to be worked through. We will obviously have debates in this House but these reforms have been sought for many years. There are clear problems with the planning process in this country. Projects get held up for many years through the judicial review process. I understand one of the main things to be dealt with is the need to have proper timelines in place for the new coimisiún pleanála and the judicial review process. That will be welcomed by all. We will, of course, tease out the other complexities and details surrounding that new proposal.

Senator Ó Donnghaile highlighted the chaos at the airports. I take on board his point that we are an island nation and we need to be connected. That request for a debate this week has gone to the Minister's office. I do not know if we will get him this week, being honest, but we will of course ask. It might be worth the Senator's while to table a Commencement matter because it might be the earliest opportunity to get a direct reply from the Minister's office on that issue. We would all be in agreement with the comments the Senator has made. Senator Wall raised the issue of medicine shortages. I am aware of that issue. There are particular challenges around certain antibiotics that would be the ones most often prescribed, particularly to children. Given all that we are dealing with in terms of the strep condition and RSV, there are many bugs flying around this winter and we are seeing increased numbers of cases. There are challenges with shortages of some prescription medicines, which have been raised with many Members. The Minister for Health is very much aware of the challenges with the shortage of supply and is working to resolve that matter with the pharmacies. He also welcomed the new regulations signed by the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, around changing place toilets to see an increase of approximately 80 per year, which would be welcome for so many families.

Senator Ruane commended the role that the Cathaoirleach played the past two and half years and how he utilised the position in a way that perhaps was not done previously to the benefit of all Senators, which is welcome. I concur with her remarks. He made the role his own and put his stamp on it. We have all welcomed the different initiatives, whether it was the special sitting yesterday, the engagement with MEPs or the public consultation committee. He used the office and pushed the Standing Orders to their limits in a good way, which is necessary to shake things up every now and again. He has certainly set the bar and it has been a very good two and a half years for the Cathaoirleach is his role. I thank him for his work in that regard.

The Senator also mentioned the GAA match that is happening in Mountjoy Prison on Thursday. I will hopefully participate in that as well. I have not soloed a ball in 15 years. I must get the ball out and give it a go. I commend her on her work in engaging with the prison community, all of her advocacy and facilitating Members of both Houses to engage with people from different communities and backgrounds and showing us first-hand the challenged faced. Listening to her contributions has opened my eyes in the past couple of years, but going out and meeting different community groups has as well. It has changed my views and perspective on certain issues. It is always good to keep an open mind on these issues. She has also asked for statements on prison reform in the new term, which, of course, we will organise at the earliest opportunity

Senator McGreehan raised capacity issues in the emergency department in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. She also congratulated Lough County Council on its St. Brigid initiative, the Brigid1500 programme, that will take place next year and in 2024 as well.

Senator Paddy Burke spoke about IFI and has a requested a debate on the European Parliament and the powers conferred upon it by member states. We will request that debate in the new term.

Senator Buttimer raised a particular cystic fibrosis issue and requested a debate with the Minister for Health.

He also raised issues around catering on Irish Rail. I concur with his remarks. We are long past the restrictive Covid measures that we had last year. Rail services have been back up and running for a full year and it is disappointing there are still no catering services on all of our Intercity rail links. I would ask Irish Rail to do everything it can to get catering services there for people. These are long journeys without being able to access even a bottle water if people do not bring anything with them. We can do better in terms of our service to people.

Senator Keogan proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, which was seconded by Senator Boyhan. I am happy to accept the amendment. She also spoke about yesterday’s event. It was great to hear from Senator David Norris and also former Members.

Senator Flynn spoke about the fact that no minority voices were heard yesterday. There were particular challenges around speaking. The sitting was curtailed in terms of time and every grouping just got one slot. However, I do not know the full ins and outs of perhaps discussions that happened beyond that. I acknowledge the well made point and I take on board what she said in that regard.

Senator McGahon spoke about young Dáithí McCann and the fact that he is a very sick baby. His mam is passing her maternity leave and is now heading into a space where she does not have any of those financial supports or leave. The Senator’s suggestion that we would look at extending maternity leave in cases of very sick children is certainly a debate to be had and a worthwhile request.

Senator Maria Byrne mentioned the Shannon to Liverpool route that has been added to Shannon Airport and the Shannon Estuary economic task force that has been set up as well. She commended the work of those involved.

Senator Gavan spoke about the human rights violations against migrants trying to access the EU. I concur with his remarks in that there is a lot of appalling treatment of migrants trying to access the European Union. It is very disappointing. We are lucky to be in the top 5% in the world simply because we were just born here. We were lucky to be born in a wealthy country where we take for food, shelter, education and health services for granted. Even though we give out about certain issues, we are very fortunate to have all of those things that many people do not have in their home country and are fleeing for different reasons. I feel deeply uncomfortable at pulling the ladder up and preventing people from accessing the opportunity to have a better life, which is all people are looking for. We can do much better on that front. Despite all of the challenges we have had with the numbers of people coming from Ukraine, for example, as a country, we have done quite well. We have managed to fend off some of those minor challenges from a small number of people who are not happy with people coming in to seek shelter. For the most part, as a country, we have done quite well in that regard. However, we can be a stronger voice at the EU table in having a better policy in place. It is unfortunate that some member states do not support that domestically. That is proving challenging when the EU is based on consensus and requires all or no countries to support something. There are moves afoot at EU level to find a way to a qualified majority and perhaps a super-qualified majority for certain decisions to prevent one or two member states vetoing action where everybody else wants to move on something. Perhaps that is an area, although I am not sure migration is in the space just yet. It will be the biggest challenge for us as a Union in the coming decade, so we will have to deal with it. It is an important debate to have.

Senator Boyhan seconded Senator Keogan's amendment. He also raised particular concerns around the planning legislation and the new amendments being proposed regarding community groups. I take on board his points. We will have that debate around the ins and outs of the new proposals in the new term.

Senator Dolan welcomed the community centre funding that was provided by the Government in Ballinasloe.

Senator Malcolm Byrne spoke about short-term letting and the new regulations. I agree with him. I think of my own county of Mayo, where there are no hotels in and very few bed and breakfasts in parts of it. Airbnbs provide a valuable source of accommodation for tourists that perhaps might not otherwise come into an area and in areas where that is one of our key employers as well. There is a delicate balancing act to be found where we do not prevent long-term homes to people but we also do not cut off a supply of holiday accommodation to a region that does not have an alternative. We need to find the right balance. He spoke about the Christmas spirit as well and being welcoming to those who are fleeing difficult situations in whatever country they are coming from. It is an important message to remember that Christmas is more than just presents, gifts and mulled wine; it is about making sure that we are welcoming and show love those to who are coming from those challenging areas.

Senator Craughwell spoke about the new monument – I am not sure exactly how he termed it – but he has raised the Jadotville issue on many occasions in this Chamber and the unfortunate situation that happened where many were upset and offended by how a particular ceremony was dealt with. The Senator eloquently put his remarks on the record of the House.

Senator Ahearn spoke about hyperemesis, the morning sickness issue, and the prescription of Cariban. I take on board the Senator’s comments in relation to GPs not being allowed to prescribe. I am not sure how doctors would view that and whether that is a request GPs themselves or whether there is a particular reason consultants are required to come in and give the consent. It is worth perhaps tabling a Commencement matter on that issue because we require further detail on how that might be worked out. It was a big welcome at least to see Cariban being made available for the first time when it is such an expensive drug and can cost up to €3,000 during a pregnancy.

That concludes the Order of Business.

Just in case I do not get the opportunity for the rest of the week, I want to put on the record of this House my thanks to all of the Senators for their work over the past year in dealing with me as Deputy Leader of the House and the Fianna Fáil group as well. I also thank, of course, Mr. Martin Groves and the staff, without whom we would not be able to operate and things would not move efficiently and smoothly. Significant work goes on behind the scenes, particularly at pinch points when there is pressure to get legislation through. We have staff who work in the Seanad Office and put in over and above what would be required to get the business moving. It is appreciated.

A lot of work went into planning yesterday’s sitting as well, from the inception of the idea to making a reality. That was in no small part due to the work of Mr. Groves, Mr. Peter Finnegan and all of the team in the Oireachtas as well. To make yesterday run smoothly and go so well is a huge credit to the Houses of the Oireachtas and the Seanad Office. I think we were all very proud yesterday to be Members of this House. It was lovely to see other former Members there as well and hear Dr. John Bowman, An Taoiseach and all of those who contributed yesterday.The musical interlude towards the end was beautiful. It was a lovely and historic day and it was a huge privilege to be a part of it and to have a seat in the Chamber. I thank everyone and wish them a happy Christmas.