Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Davitt spoke about the planning legislation, which is a catch-all, and the fact that people cannot extend planning permission for more than five years. While I think we all understand that this was targeted at those hoarding land to get higher prices, it has unintended consequences for rural Ireland and one-off houses. We all know that with the costs associated with building and trying to get builders, it is very difficult for those who have planning permission for a one-off house. It is a serious issue for rural Ireland and we will bring that to the Minister's attention.

Senator Gavan spoke about the pushback against refugees in Europe. What he quoted earlier was absolutely shocking in terms of the world we are living in now with the disrespect for human rights and human dignity. We spoke about Nazism earlier but what the Senator described goes right back to the concentration camps. The degradation of humans is shocking. We have to use our voice. We support the Senator fully. I know he has a huge interest in this and works on it in the Council of Europe in a very committed way. We will call for a letter to go to the Greek ambassador on that and will look for a debate with the Minister.

Senator Mark Wall also spoke about the working time directive and recruitment to the Defence Forces. He mainly spoke about the recent Society of St. Vincent de Paul report on the energy directive. It is certainly not good enough to be told by an energy company just to contact MABS. MABS runs an excellent service and we often hear Michelle O'Hara, a good Milltown woman, on the airwaves giving good advice but it is certainly not good enough that an energy company, now the prices have come down, is just telling people to contact that organisation. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications's energy poverty action plan has provided a new fund to provide supports to people in or at risk of energy poverty. It is important that that is used properly and appropriately. Senator Wall also mentioned the attacks on officials in sport. He is right; we need a debate and we need intervention.

Senator Cummins also spoke about the tricolour and the North Quays project. I was with the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, this morning out in Harold's Cross hospice and she was glowing in relation to this investment. It is wonderful for Waterford.

Senator Dolan spoke about the Tidy Towns clean-ups and looked for more information on how CCTV is used by local authorities in tackling litter. She is right. The dumping we see is absolutely horrific. We need to be able to tackle black spots in heritage areas and to highlight civic amenity places. We will look for a debate with the Minister on this to highlight the very good actions that are taking place at both national level and local level.

Senator Carrigy looked for a review of the Disability Act along with the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs, EPSEN, Act. I think this is the last week submissions can be made on the EPSEN Act. We will certainly look for that review. He is right that the two reviews should complement each other.

Senator Conway spoke about being at the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly meeting yesterday and said it was very positive. That is good to hear. It is good that relations are being restored and that we are looking to see Stormont restored. He also spoke about disability supports and the funding of not just elite disability sports like the Paralympics and Special Olympics but the need to ensure genuine inclusivity and access in local areas. I find the local sport partnerships are really good. Syl Merrins, Eddie Hennessy and Donna Berry do a terrific job in Kildare in trying to ensure all sports clubs are inclusive and accessible.That may not be the same everywhere. We may look for a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, to ensure that disability is one of the criteria for sports capital funding.