Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Crowe spoke about the expected increased in the VAT rate for the hospitality sector. It is at 9% and is due to increase to 13% on 28 February. This issue was also raised by Senator Lombard. I acknowledge that businesses are facing significant costs with particular pressure on the hospitality sector because of the number of refugees coming into the country, many of whom are being accommodated in hotels. In addition, the cost of products and materials has gone through the roof. As a result, it is a very challenging time for the hospitality sector as we head into a new tourist season from March onwards. I expect that the Ministers for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media are looking at this issue together in order to see how to strike the right balance while ensuring that the public purse is looked after in a proper way and that we do not damage one of our most important indigenous industries in which many people are employed. In rural areas in particular, hospitality and the multinationals are the key employers. Those involved are very aware of that issue.

Senator McGahon spoke about the need for dedicated step-down facilities and highlighted particular issues relating to Louth. He has advocated for a proactive and pragmatic approach to dealing with health. He also asked public representatives not to be populist in their approach to this issue and to call for the reopening of a hospital that was brought to a different level many years ago when such a reopening is not a realistic prospect. The Senator asked colleagues across parties to work at finding real solutions. There will be a debate on health, particularly the challenges in hospitals, with the Minister for Health tomorrow and there will be an opportunity to address that issue with the Minister.

Senator Mullen spoke about the changes to the national curriculum regarding sex education. We all agree that they are long overdue. An interesting and very disturbing article in the Sunday Timesat the weekend related to where children are getting their sex education. It is not in the classroom and very often not at home. There are challenges in this regard. Some parents do a lot of work in this space while others do not because they do not have the means to do it or feel they cannot and, unfortunately, children are getting that education, if you can even call it that, online. They are getting from pornography on their smartphones and it is causing huge damage. We are seeing an increase in children and young people presenting for mental health assessment and treatment to deal with addiction to porn, a really distorted view of what sex is and what is expected of them as boys and girls, so we need to do something. I appreciate and understand the Senator's point about parents being the ultimate educator but we must also balance that with the right of the child to access education. He is right about this matter. What is objective information and how do we come to that point? That will be a difficult balance to strike, which is why there is a public consultation with parents and schools regarding changes to the curricula at primary and second level. We must strike the right balance but we are not doing properly at the minute - that is for sure - and children are suffering because of it. We need to address that because the industry that has the most access to children is the porn industry and that is evidenced in many aspects of dealing with our children. That work is long overdue but I hope the public consultation will ease the concerns of parents. Ultimately, we must accept that we will never please everybody on this issue but the rights, safety and welfare of the child must come first and how we strike that balance will be a matter for the Minister to do that with the Government, in consultation with schools and parents.

I note the Senator's comments on abortion, the Rotunda and the statistics there. We will probably have more of these debates in the coming months as we proceed towards a review of the abortion legislation and we will always have differing views on whether those services should or should not be provided but I note the Senator's comments and understand and appreciate his perspective knowing his views on this issue.

Senator Ó Donnghaile spoke about the human tissue Bill in the North and Dáithí's Law. It was very welcome this week to see the Minister for Health bring legislation forward to address organ donation in the Republic and to ensure we increase the availability of organs for transplant for those who need those life-changing operations. I would certainly be happy to engage with the Senator in terms of signing that letter to try to expedite or progress the legislation in the North.

Senator Hoey spoke about asylum seekers and the lack of space that has been articulated by the Department. We are in a very challenging space. A huge number not just of Ukrainian refugees but international protection refugees have come to the country and we are struggling to deal with that. Trying to find accommodation is a day-by-day and week-by-week scenario.The Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, has done a very good job considering all the circumstances. He has been very honest about what the Department is dealing with. The Minister of State spoke about an interim solution to try to have somewhere for people to go so that they are not on the streets. They are hoping they have line of sight of extra accommodation for February but they are looking at a number of weeks. There is a pinch point. It is worth acknowledging that there are challenges. The Government is not hiding from that but the officials are doing their very best to try to find additional accommodation in what is a very challenging and pressured time for that issue.

Senator Flynn spoke this morning, as she did yesterday, on the rise of hate on the island and the debate around refugees. She made a very interesting point around those who are involved in protests. To paraphrase the Senator, we should not tar everybody with the same brush. People's motivations for being at those protests are varied and not everybody is there for the same reason. She said many of those people are experiencing their own challenges in accessing basic services and accommodation. She said we should acknowledge there are different issues for people.

Senator Mark Daly welcomed the Turkish delegation this morning. I thank him and all the other Senators for their lovely remarks and comments on my own news.

Senator Carrigy spoke this morning about the proposed N4 motorway from Mullingar to Rooskey in County Longford and also about the issue around affordable housing. He asked that affordable housing be made available in all parts of the country, not just in select constituencies and counties. I would certainly agree with the Senator's remarks in that regard.

Senators Dooley and Maria Byrne spoke this morning about the significant and ongoing challenges in University Hospital Limerick, UHL, of which we are all very much aware. As I said, there will be a debate tomorrow with the Minister for Health on that specific issue of accident and emergency departments,

Senator Ward this morning called for a proper compensation package for thalidomide survivors as well as an apology and proper medical support for those who are still dealing with this. It has been an ongoing issue for many years. It should have been sorted a long time ago. I hope the Government is now very close to resolving that particular issue.

Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about the issue of housing and welcomed pupils from St. Peter's National School in Phibsborough. She asked for a debate in this House as soon as a proposal to have a referendum on the right to housing is brought to the Cabinet. I will be happy to arrange that when the time is right.

Senator Lombard spoke about the VAT rate and requested a debate on tourism. I have requested that the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, come to the House at the earliest opportunity.

Senator Gallagher spoke about the youth travel card and challenges in terms of covering the cost for students travelling north of the Border. That is something on which the Minister for Transport will have to liaise with his counterpart in the North to try to find a solution. It should not be difficult. It just requires picking up the telephone and trying to find a way of joining forces.

Senator Kyne requested a debate on the capital health plan with both the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, and the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. I have requested that debate with both Ministers.

Senator Currie spoke very passionately this morning about the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, which is going through the House of Lords and is currently at Committee Stage there. On that particular issue, all politicians on the island are united in condemning the passing of that Bill and its contents. It has no support on this island. It is very important that we have Senators like Senator Currie consistently raising that issue and putting it on the record of the House. She is doing fantastic work as a member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, as are other colleagues, in keeping that issue live and top of the agenda as it progresses through the process in the UK.

Senator Ahearn welcomed the decision by Germany to provide tanks to Ukraine. He spoke about the issue around the Russian ambassador whereby other countries have moved to expel their ambassadors. That has been an ongoing debate and many colleagues here have expressed a similar view. The Senator also welcomed the €50 million fund from the Department of Social Protection for communities that have welcomed refugees, as did Senator Conway.

Senator Conway also raised the issue around the delay in getting wheelchairs fixed where damage has been done. The HSE is lagging behind on that particular issue.

Finally, Senator Dolan spoke in particular about older people and the cost of living. That is still an ongoing concern for many households, particularly older and more vulnerable members of society. The €200 fuel credit was really welcome. There is more of that to come. Two €200 credits have been issued to bills with a further third instalment to come. The Government has said that it has money in reserve to continue to assess the energy situation and that people will not be found wanting if further assistance is required. The Senator is right about the fuel allowance, however. There is a fairly generous package in place and that has been expanded to cover a lot more households. It is an area in which perhaps we as public representatives can do more in terms of getting the word out to more people. We see a similar issue with the rent credit for which there has been a very low uptake. Approximately 80,000 people have applied for that out of a potential 400,000 eligible tenancies. People are just not aware that they can apply. That is the kind of area where supports are in place but they are not being accessed. We can do a job in getting the word out there.