Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Members who contributed to the Order of Business. Senator Kyne raised the issue, once again, of Inland Fisheries Ireland. I share the Senator's concerns. He has been quite consistent, in this Chamber, in advocating for the public interest and issues that he sees as being quite serious with regard to how the organisation is being run. He has consistently asked very reasonable questions. I ask that the Department engage with Senator Kyne to try to bring a resolution to this issue. That is about as much as I can say in my capacity on the matter.

Senator O'Loughlin spoke on a number of issues. Both she and Senators Clonan, Wall and Craughwell all expressed their sympathies and condolences to the family of Declan O'Connell who passed away. He was a member of the Defence Forces from Newbridge. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam. My sympathies to his family, his fiancé, Audrey, his daughter, Niamh, and, of course, to the defence community. It is a difficult time for them. Senator O'Loughlin also acknowledged that yesterday was Epilepsy Day. The Senator very interestingly said that while today is St. Valentine's Day, 14 April is the date in South Korea when being single is celebrated. It is something to bear in mind and an interesting bit of information.

Senator Clonan proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 130, motion 9, be taken ahead of No. 1. It has been seconded by Senator Keogan. I will accept the amendment, but I will flag that I only got notice today of the proposed amendment to the Order of Business. I ask that the Senator gives me a little more notice in future, because it did not give me time to take any advice on the issue, or have a proper response for the Senator. It does not really allow me to engage in any debate on the issue, or even give a view on it. I do not wish to divide the House either. The comments of Senator Ward show there is not consensus on the issue. It is good to try to build consensus on these types of issues and give a bit more time for debate and conversation before a motion is put. There is a motion on the Order Paper on Ukraine as well. It is my intention next week to bring a cross-party consensus motion. I believe the Dáil will do something similar. I ask the Senator to bear that in mind to allow me to be able to better respond in future to matters being raised, but I will accept the amendment to the Order of Business.

Senator Clonan also asked for a debate on Ukraine with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Deputy Martin, which I will request at the earliest opportunity. I share his concerns about the number losing their lives, on both sides. Given the loss of life, one would wonder what it is all for, really. We will request that debate at the earliest opportunity.

Senator Warfield spoke about the tragic loss of life of Brianna, the 16-year-old trans girl from the UK.We send our solidarity, love and support to her family, friends and community. It was a tragic occurrence and an awful hate crime and it is something we also need to be mindful of in this country. I note a gathering will take place at 6 p.m. tomorrow evening at the General Post Office. I thank the Senator for alerting the House to that event.

Senator Wall spoke about a young girl, I think she was called Slaney - I hope I have the right name - who was diagnosed later in life, at the age of 24, with combined type ADHD. He said there is significant deficiency in diagnosis, especially for women who are dealing with ADHD and other mental health issues. He has requested a debate on that. It is quite specific. I will request a debate on mental health issues in general and allow members to raise other issues as well. Senator Joe O'Reilly mentioned CAMHS. We had a debate on that a few weeks ago so we might leave that for a time but perhaps a more general debate on mental health would allow all issues in that space to be raised with the Minister.

Senators Ruane, Sherlock and Conway welcomed the news of the memo to Cabinet this morning on the citizens' assembly on drug use. It is long overdue and we are long overdue a debate and a change of response in how we deal with drugs. It might have been Senator Sherlock who correctly pointed out that dealing with it through the courts - I am paraphrasing - is not getting us anywhere. It is making matters worse. I think the terms of reference will be before this House next week. As soon as I have that information, I will circulate it to Members. I certainly welcome the work of the citizens' assembly and I wish all its members the best in their deliberations. We look forward to the publication of their recommendations in due course.