Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That would be very appropriate. I thank everybody for raising that this morning.

Senator Kyne looked for a debate on standards In public office and the ability, or lack of ability, of people to adhere to them. We will try to arrange that.

Senator Burke looked for a debate on the cost-of-living package but more importantly, on future- proofing the 9% VAT rate for our hospitality sector, which I will certainly organise. There is evidence, not just in Ireland but across the European Union, of varying rates of VAT charges for different sectors within society. It is something worthwhile on which to have a debate.

Both Senators Maria Byrne and Gavan raised the UHL trolley numbers and sought a debate. Senator Dooley spoke this morning about the emergency response measures taken, particularly with regard to Ennis, which are having knock-on effects for the delivery of healthcare services for that local community. There is certainly a need for an ongoing debate and a response to the situation in UHL, particularly regarding their trolley numbers. The figure of 111 people are on trolleys today is the highest it has ever been. As we have been talking in recent months of numbers of people on trolleys being in the 70s, the figure of 111 is a significant jump and we need to have that extra bed capacity debate.

Senator Cummins looked for a debate and indeed sought future and additional funding of the active travel measures. He highlighted the difficulties in having to re-profile the allocations that county councils currently have, which has an impact on delivering services. I will arrange that debate.

Senator Carrigy looked for a debate to join that requested by Senator Ahearn with regard to the drug Cariban and hyperemesis gravidarum, and wants to add to the debate the heel-prick test additions he has been seeking for many months now.

Senator Craughwell did not get to make a request but I assume he joins his colleagues this morning in requesting a debate on the Defence Forces and particularly on the commission's report. What he said was very eloquent and timely and I thank him for that.

Senator Seery Kearney looked for a debate on the disability matters report being launched today, which would be timely. I will speak to the Leader and try to arrange that as soon as we possibly can. Amongst others, Senator Conway spoke about the one year anniversary of Ukraine. We will, please God, unanimously, pass our motion very shortly and I will be suggesting we have a minute silence to respect and reflect on the people who have lost their lives and on those who remain but still have had their lives devastated by what can only be described as a completely senseless and horrific 365 days. Senator Murphy welcomed but looked for a debate this morning on the initial TAMS announcement. It is really important, particularly since some sectors of the community want to malign our farming community, to give it the opportunity to do what it does best, which is love the environment and care for our land.The 60% grant from the targeted agriculture modernisation scheme, TAMS, will allow people in the farming community to install solar and to make their particular holdings as green as they possibly can be. I am looking forward to that.

Senator Gavan spoke about the horrific murders in the West Bank, as did Senator Black. I will certainly get responses to the questions Senator Black asked of me this morning. I find it hard to believe that a lack of a statement means anybody in this country would concur with the activities that are going on but I will make sure I get a response for Senator Black so there is no doubt and no ambiguity. I thank them both for raising that today. To be honest with the Senators, it is a pity they continually have to.

Senator Ahearn looked for a debate with the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, but also spoke about Ukraine and the photo exhibition being launched this morning at 11.30 a.m. If anybody could support it, it would be helpful.

Senator Ardagh sought our assistance to reschedule the Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2022. Since the last time we had the debate here, and we suspended the last few minutes of Second Stage, the Minister was in no doubt there would be probably near unanimous support for the Bill in the Chamber. The Senator has attempted to have meetings to try to get support from the Department of Finance but we should reschedule it to try to focus minds. I will talk to the Leader about that.

Nobody could have put it as emotionally as Senator Boyhan did how, I hope, we all feel this morning with regard to the people who left here last night downtrodden and heartbroken. I will not condemn the particular scheme that has been put in place by the Minister because it does what he expects to do which is to fulfil his obligations under the Commission's report but I genuinely believe we need to do more. It is not incumbent on certain people to do more; it is incumbent on all of us to at least try to do more. I acknowledge Senator Boyhan's contribution and want to say how much most of us admire him. I thank him for his contribution this morning.

As I said, Senator Black is looking for a debate with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs which I will try to arrange. Senator Dooley spoke about Estonia, in particular its help to its nearest neighbour, Ukraine. Senator Wall looked for a debate on the Defence Forces and acknowledged the first anniversary of the invasion.

Senator Ó Donnghaile welcomed the all-party statement this morning, which was really strong. It shows how much people value, not only in the political sphere but in the communities, how much we have come on in the past 25 years. I thank the Senator for acknowledging that.

Senator Keogan is looking for a debate on the new committee being established by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. I will try to arrange that as soon as I can. Senator Lombard spoke about Defences Forces' recruitment and the particular difficulties we have in the Defence Forces Reserve. I will try to arrange that debate. Senator Fitzpatrick spoke eloquently in extending her best wishes to Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell.