Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach and all Members who contributed to the Order of Business today. Senator Conway spoke this morning, as he has done previously, on issues around the payment outstanding to many hoteliers across the country housing refugees and providing food and board. I will ask for an update from the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. However the newly-appointed Minister of State in that Department, Deputy Joe O'Brien, will be in the Seanad Chamber on 15 February. There will be an opportunity for Members to question the Minister of State on that issue, and any other issues relating to the ongoing refugee challenge and to international protection. That opportunity will be there.

Senator Casey raised the issue of post offices this morning, as have Senators Daly and Carrigy. Senator Casey spoke about the importance of the post office network and the lifeline thrown to them last June when a significant package of €30 million over a three-year period was given to post offices. However, enabling legislation is outstanding and it passed all Stages in the Dáil last week. I am happy to outline to the House that it is due before us on 14 February for Second Stage. We are due to have Committee Stage on 22 February and Report and Final Stages on 28 February. While it is possible to condense Stages together, it is not considered best practice and we would need to get the agreement of Opposition Members as well because it would not be considered to be emergency legislation. We can have a discussion about that at the meeting of group leaders and Whips to see if it is possible. As it stands, that is the proposed schedule and while we are due to complete all Stages by the end of February, I appreciate that every month that goes by is a challenge for those businesses and families.

Senator Craughwell made quite a lengthy statement about accountability and transparency, as he so often does. On this occasion he made reference to the Ministers and Secretaries Act and has made a specific request of me and of the Cathaoirleach to establish an ad hoc committee to review same. It is not really within my gift to do such a thing. It is within the Senator's gift at any stage to propose amending legislation to any laws currently on the Statute Book. I urge the Senator to look at what amendments he would like to bring, or bring some ideas to the House that we could debate openly on the floor. I would of course be happy to schedule such a debate.

Senator Ó Donnghaile about the Belfast to Dublin train. I was not aware that there were issues with that line. I am happy to tell the Senator that a debate has been scheduled for 23 February on the rail network and the all-island rail review. That will give an opportunity to Senator Ó Donnghaile and others to discuss the future of the country's rail network. He has also requested a debate with the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the ongoing situation in Palestine-Israel and he also wanted to extend wishes for a warm, happy St. Brigid's Day tomorrow, as he will not have an opportunity to do so then.

Senator Sherlock spoke about Ashtown, as did Senator Currie, who lives in that constituency as well. That particular incident was really awful and there is not an awful lot more that can be said about that. We are all very aware of it. I just hope the individuals concerned, the victims, are being cared for and are okay. However, that was a horrifying sight to see posted on social media. Seeing the footage was horrific. However, there will be ongoing challenges in this space. It is happening in other countries. We are not alone in that regard. We have to try to tackle it in many ways and Senator Sherlock is right to say that social media has a role to play in that. We are headquarters to many of the large social media companies and they are regular attendees in Leinster House to brief Oireachtas Members and speak to us.I will request a debate with the Minister, Deputy Martin, on that aspect of this issue. It is much broader but that is one area we as policymakers and legislators can do something about.

Senator Keogan spoke about Ann Lovett and I commend her on her remarks in the Chamber. It is very appropriate we acknowledge what happened to Ann. As a country we learned a lot from that situation. It changed Ireland. Unfortunately, it took a really sad situation for that change to happen. I concur also with the Cathaoirleach's remarks in that regard.

Senator Flynn spoke, as she did last week, about the ongoing situation with hate. Today she spoke about the challenge many public representatives are facing in the form of online hate, abuse and being the target of a campaign. As I said, I will request a debate with the Minister, Deputy Martin, on that issue. As the Cathaoirleach has pointed out, there is work happening in the Oireachtas to try to address those safety concerns for Members, and especially female Members. There will be a meeting with the Ceann Comhairle and female Deputies and a similar meeting with ourselves and female Senators to see what we can do to try to address those safety concerns. It is better to be proactive, as opposed to reacting. Let us not wait for something more severe to happen. Is that not the point? I thank the Senator for raising the issue.

Senator Cassells spoke about the campaign by Rachel J. Cooper around the national anthem and wanting to start with third- to sixth-class students to ensure every citizens have the words of anthem. It is a very worthwhile cause and I wish her well in her campaign.

Senator Maria Byrne spoke about potential challenges with the 2024 leaving certificate examinations. I note the Senator's comments and understand she is going to engage directly with the Minister, Deputy Foley. I ask the Senator to come back to me if there is any assistance I can give her in that regard. She welcomed also the reopening of the Limerick-Foynes railway line but raised a particular issue around a 2 km-stretch of housing where the sand barrier has been removed to make way for the rail station but no remedial works have been done to date. I urge the Department of Transport and the local authority to look after the concerns of local residents there and ensure their homes are protected.

Senator Ward spoke around an issue that, to be honest, I am not totallyau fait, namely, parasailing and sailing. It would not be a huge sport in participation terms where I am from but he said there was a particular issue with the Paralympics where parasailing is not going to be permitted as a sport. It is an important issue he has raised.

Senator Gavan also spoke about Ann Lovett and drew the House's attention, though I think everyone is aware anyway, to Oxfam launching its report in the audiovisual room today. I think that was at 4 p.m., so it is probably still going on. The Senator has asked for a debate on a wealth tax. I might have a conversation with him about that. I am not sure we would have a debate on a single tax proposal as that probably would not be appropriate. I ask the Senator to come back with a wider topic for discussion in the area of finance and taxation n which we could have a discussion in the House.

Senator Currie spoke about the situation in Ashtown and spoke very passionately about her community.

Senator Mark Daly spoke about the campaign against public representatives and the work that has been done by his office and with the Cathaoirleach as well. He also concurred with the remarks around Ann Lovett and the post office network.

Senator Lombard asked for a debate with the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW and I will request that.

Senator Boyhan spoke very passionately, as he often does, around the issue of the mother and baby homes and the redress scheme. I think we are all acutely aware of the challenges there and the deficiencies in parts of what has been offered, as well as those who have been left out. We will get one opportunity to do this right and I hope it is done right, to the benefit of survivors and to ensure people are cared for and looked after in what was a very black mark on our history. We will forever be ashamed of how we dealt with women and children in this country. We are still dealing with it and we are not dealing with it very well, but at least it is out in the open now - most of it - and we are coming to terms with that as a country, though we have a long way to go yet.

Senator Carrigy spoke about the post office network as well. I have outlined the schedule that is proposed for the month to come but we will revisit that topic across parties and across groups.