Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Members who contributed to the Order of Business. Senator Dooley spoke about the "Prime Time" report on AIB and the mortgage issue. We did not name the individual who was mentioned in that report but people will be aware of the sports personality involved. I concur with the Senator’s remarks. Over many years, many families, individuals and homeowners were put under significant pressure to repay mortgages, with mortgages sold to other entities to be chased up. It serves to retraumatise and hurt people when they see that there appears to be a twin-track approach to how people were dealt with, depending on where they sat in society. I will request a debate with the relevant Minister on banking and mortgages and how this matter was handled. We will try to get that scheduled at the earliest opportunity.

Senator Keogan spoke about the LGFA decision on allowing transgender girls to play in Gaelic football games, as did Senators Sherlock and Clifford-Lee. All three Senators took slightly different views, with two in favour of the decision and one opposing it. The debate is quite divided. Senator Keogan represents the views of many people, as do Senators Sherlock and Clifford-Lee. My hope is that on this particular issue we do not go the same way the United Kingdom and other jurisdictions have gone, where the debate has become extremely toxic. That does not serve any particular purpose. We need respectful debate and to acknowledge that there are very differing views on this issue. Senator Keogan mentioned the different view and approach the IRFU took. That is illustrative that is not an issue on which there is consensus and that there are differing and opposing views on it. Needless to say, however, it is the right of all Members to raise issues in the House, as long as we are respectful in how we make those points. That is important.

Senator Pauline O'Reilly welcomed the cost-of-living measures announced by the Government and stated it was important they were targeted. The Government has done a good job in avoiding a cliff edge with certain supports. Some Members, particularly Senator Sherlock, and the Labour Party are not in favour of the retention of the 9% VAT rate for hospitality. From my party's perspective, maintaining that rate was a key ask, while understanding that the hospitality industry in some of the cities and hospitality businesses in rural areas are in a different space. The 9% VAT rate is not a special one but is probably what the VAT rate should be. If we compare ourselves with other European countries, our rate is not wildly out of sync with the VAT rates elsewhere. We previously had a high VAT rate. After some of the multinationals are taken out of the mix, hospitality is the biggest employer in many rural areas. It is a key industry for many communities.

Senator O'Reilly also welcomed the €100 child benefit payment, which will be universal and paid to all those with children. She also welcomed the decision to ease out the excise duty cut on fuel as opposed to it being reinstated in one go. Many people will welcome that.

Senator Boylan spoke about the accident and emergency departments in hospitals. She focused in particular on the concerning issue of assaults on nursing staff and people working in the healthcare sector. The Joint Committee on Health heard today from the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, and Fórsa on this issue. The Labour Party has a Private Members' motion on the issue tomorrow evening as well. I look forward to that debate, which will give an opportunity to all Members to discuss the matter with the Minister. It is an issue we have to be mindful of and seek to address. The Minister is working with the nursing and health sectors to try to fix it.

As I said, Senator Sherlock spoke about the LGFA issue. She also raised the expulsion of a trade unionist from Tunisia and made broader points on trade union rights. She acknowledged the input of the Taoiseach and Tánaiste in support of that issue. She also raised the cost-of-living measures and the significant package announced today. However, she questioned whether so much should be going to hospitality, which I have dealt with.

Senator Flynn welcomed the protestors on the mica and pyrite issue from Donegal. I understand there were also people from Mayo at the gates of Leinster House. A briefing started ten minutes ago in the audiovisual room for any Members who want to get to it. The Senator also drew our attention to the launch tomorrow of a mental health report from south Dublin. She also cautioned about the debate we have scheduled for tomorrow on accommodation for refugees, asylum seekers and international protection applicants.She asked that people be respectful and not use racist language in the debate.

Senator Kyne raised the niche issue of people having to go to Dubai for Garda vetting. I ask him to table a Commencement matter seeking a response from the Department of Justice. If the matter is not resolved through that, we will seek further clarification on it.

Senator Clifford-Lee spoke about the LGFA issue as well. She also asked for a debate on the provision of swimming pools, in particular in her area given the growth in population and the number of young families with children there. Swimming is an essential life skill and there are clearly not enough facilities for children and young people in her area. That is something that should be addressed. Perhaps the Senator could submit a Commencement matter, as the issue is quite a niche one. We could then consider having a broader debate if necessary.

I concur with Senator Hoey's welcome and extend my own congratulations and that of the House to our colleague, Senator Rebecca Moynihan, and her partner Barra, on the birth of her lovely daughter, Margot. I wish them well and hope they enjoy this lovely time as a family. It is great news and it is nice to welcome a new member to the family.

Senator Hoey also spoke about the National One Parent Family Alliance, which has made particular requests in terms of the cost-of-living measures. She rightly pointed out that single-parent families are at most risk of poverty and deprivation and that must be reflected in the cost-of-living measures.

Senator Paul Daly spoke about the staggering figure that 8.5% of motorists are without any insurance. I did not realise it was so high. That is greatly concerning. I suggest the Senator submit a Commencement matter on the issue and if it requires a more extensive debate, we will get one scheduled. The number is a lot higher than I would have imagined. The issue must be addressed and automatic number place recognition would certainly assist with that. I am sure the technology is available to get that organised.

Senator Conway spoke about the need for a veterinary college in the mid-west, in the University of Limerick. I support the Senator's remarks in that regard. It would be great to see additional veterinary medicine places on offer in the University of Limerick, which would serve the entire region.

Senator Gavan spoke this morning, as he often does, about University Hospital Limerick, and the ongoing challenges there with patients on trolleys. The situation is particularly acute in University Hospital Limerick. I acknowledge, as he did, the Taoiseach's attendance at the hospital. It speaks to the focus of the Government on trying to address the very challenging issue in the hospital. I also acknowledge that it is a very difficult environment for staff to work in as well for the patients who go there for treatment. I hope to see a resolution to that issue.

Senator Gallagher spoke this morning about a hotel in Carrickmacross, the difficulty in locating the owner of the hotel, and the challenges in getting proper redundancy payments and outstanding pay to people who have been left without work. I might liaise with the Senator after the Order of Business to see if we can make a request to the relevant Department to try to assist with the issue. I send well-wishes to the staff who find themselves in a very difficult position. Nobody should be in that position. It is regrettable that the hotel owner has left the scene, as such, and not paid the staff properly what they are owed.