Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Members who contributed to the Order of Business. Senator Conway raised the Windsor agreement in the context of Northern Ireland institutions. He has called for the political parties in Northern Ireland to get around the table and get back up and running. He also acknowledged the work of Clare GAA in some of its recent projects. Senator Malcolm Byrne acknowledged that it was St. David's Day for our friends across the water and noted that on a clear day you can see Wales from Wexford, which was something I did not know. I wish them well. He also made an interesting proposal to the House that, as we are approaching the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in April, the Government should consider establishing a museum of the Troubles so we might catalogue our very recent history for future generations who may not be as aware as certain generations are. That is an interesting proposal.

I am not fully familiar with the issue Senator Keogan raised around the pandemic treaty that is being discussed at a global level but I will certainly request the debate. I am not sure about the timelines on that. We might want to wait for more information to be available in order for us to have a fuller debate. The Senator might come back to me with some details on that and we can look to schedule a debate. It will certainly be an interesting one to have. I am sure other Members are the same as me and would not be fully aware of what is happening in that discussion. We will certainly get that scheduled.

Senator Ó Donnghaile proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, supported by Senators Gavan and Boylan, on the basis that the Government amendment that was expected has not been put forward. I would like to inform Members that there are two Government amendments on that issue. Amendment No. 17 deletes the 70% rate and amendment No. 13 inserts a reference to engaging with domestic violence agencies to take their expert advice on what the rate should be. This was raised in the Dáil by the Senator's colleague, Deputy Louise O'Reilly.

My understanding is that it was explained to his party colleague and that it was deemed okay but maybe that is not the case. There are Government amendments dealing specifically with that issue to address it in line with what the domestic violence agencies have asked for. I suggest that we proceed with the Order of Business as scheduled for today because that item will be on in the next few hours. If agreement is not reached, we can adjourn early and reschedule to continue the debate next week but I would hope the amendments, on further inspection, might achieve what the Senator is looking to achieve.

I am on the record as saying I did not think it was a good idea to have reduced pay because of the concern that it might alert abusers that their partner had been out of work that day or on any given day. That point is very well made by Women's Aid and others. The Minister has listened to that and that is why we have the amendments that we are dealing with today. The Senator might consider what I have said and let me know how that will proceed today. He also noted that it is Seachtain na Gaeilge, as did other Members, and I acknowledge that.

Senator Joe O'Reilly spoke about sending our condolences and support to those in Greece on the huge tragedy there. I wish the rescue efforts and the Government there well in their efforts on that issue. The Senator also asked for an update on the gambling Bill and the regulator. I will get that update for him and my office will revert to him. I will also revert back to him on the CAMHS waiting list. We had a debate very recently on that issue and I know the Minister is working hard to address it. There have been significant improvements in some parts of the country but not in others, as the Senator will be aware. There are challenges. Lots of posts have been sanctioned to hire the additional staff that are needed but there is a challenge in recruiting staff into those posts that the Government has already funded and sanctioned. We can certainly raise the matter again and have a further debate on it.

Senator Craughwell raised the issue of Commencement matters and the fact that one or two Ministers of State appear to be taking all of them. I and the Cathaoirleach can raise the matter up the line. I understand the frustration of Senators. It would obviously be more desirable if a Minister in the relevant Department was giving the reply. That does not always happen. We understand that Ministers are busy with their schedules and sometimes senior Ministers are not available but we will certainly relay the frustration of Members to our Government colleagues. Senator Craughwell raised another issue around search and rescue, which he has raised a number of times, and asked for a debate on the matter, which I will request.

Senator Currie welcomed the Windsor Framework and gave her views on what she thought was a positive step forward in relations. As always, she is a very passionate speaker on matters affecting Northern Ireland.

Senator Boylan raised the issue of the domestic violence leave, which I have dealt with.

Senator Ahearn spoke about energy prices, as did Senator Murphy. A number of Members yesterday raised the same issue. A significant increase in energy prices happened at a very fast pace and that has not been matched by a similar pace in the reduction in prices, in line with the reduction in wholesale prices. That request for a debate has gone in and we will schedule that at the earliest opportunity. I acknowledge the points made by both Senators. Senator Murphy mentioned the impact on businesses, which are really struggling despite the significant Government support, which they would acknowledge, towards the cost of energy. Businesses are still struggling to deal with that.

As well as supporting the amendment to the Order of Business, Senator Gavan raised an issue around housing impacting the ability of companies to attract employees. That is an issue, particularly in the capital, where companies are not able to attract employees where there is no housing available. The Senator will be aware, and I have said this many times before, that the housing issue is something the Government has made a top priority and is the main priority. There is significant funding going into housing. The numbers are beginning to turn in terms of commencements and completions. We want to see more and we will build more houses this year than we did last year and the previous year. It is going in the right direction but it is taking time. I appreciate there are still significant pinch points and it is a big challenge for us as a country and a nation to address.

Senator Maria Byrne also asked for a debate on energy prices, which I have dealt with.

Senator Boyhan spoke, as he has done previously, on the mother and baby home Bill that is coming before the House. It will not be on next week. We will have a group leaders and whips meeting after the Order of Business and we might discuss further the scheduling of that Bill that is coming through the House. I take on board the comments the Senator has made around the restrictions contained within the redress scheme.

Senator O'Loughlin spoke about women's health and commended the Minister for Health for his work in that area. She raised a specific issue around the cost of HRT, which for many women is an essential medicine at a certain point in their lives. She mentioned one lady who is paying about €150 per month, which is a significant cost. HRT might be an issue for a Commencement matter and we may look to have a wider debate on women's health at some point in the future.

Senator McDowell spoke about the Windsor Framework. I take on board his comments about the road haulage industry. I was at the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs this morning. He is right that it is a significant step forward and it is an achievement and credit to all involved that we have managed to get this deal on the table. It has not been accepted yet by all sides but is being considered in depth by the parties, particularly those in Northern Ireland. There will be changes to the road haulage sector, particularly with the green lane and red lane and trying to update their systems to account for that. There will be a responsibility on the haulage sector to account for what is coming in and out and where it is going. There will be changes. I was heartened to hear this morning from Rosslare Europort and Dublin Port about the advances they are making in digitisation in the haulage sector. That sounds very positive and quite timely, given the changes they will be asked to deal with. I take on board the Senator's point that we have to be mindful, as we herald this great framework agreement, that there will be some changes that may be costly and cumbersome for the haulage sector. The Cathaoirleach has dealt with the issue of the EU scrutiny committee, which is not a matter for my office but a matter for the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight and the Committee of Selection.

Senator Gallagher spoke about the eye care waiting list. I might suggest a Commencement matter on that, because it is quite niche, to see if we can get a detailed response from the Minister. It sounds like there is a solution to that significant issue. A lot of citizens are affected by that matter.

Senator Kyne requested a debate on the rural housing planning guidelines, which we have been waiting for in excess of a year now. I would be very eager to see those guidelines and would certainly welcome a debate on the matter. I will make that request to the Department for either Minister to come to the House and have that debate at the earliest opportunity.