Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Members who contributed to the Order of Business. Senator Joe O'Reilly spoke this morning about the issue of gambling, which Senator Cassells also spoke about. I am pleased to inform the House that the Bill has commenced in the Dáil and is due to come before the Seanad before the summer recess in July. I am not sure it will pass all Stages before the recess but we would love it to do so. The comments made by both Senators show there is a willingness and momentum to put an end to that scourge on Irish society. It is a message to the gambling companies that the good times are coming to an end. The regulator will be well resourced and equipped. It will have teeth to deal with the appalling practices that go on and advertising targeted not just at vulnerable people but at young children. As I said, those days are coming to an end and it is long overdue.

Senators O'Loughlin, Boyhan, Wall and Malcolm Byrne raised the issue of the Defence Forces report, the Women of Honour and the shocking independent review group, IRG, report. While we have been made aware of many of the issues raised in the report, it was still a shocking read for anybody who perused it yesterday. I again commend the Women of Honour for their bravery and their long-standing campaign to get this issue to where it is. We are not finished yet. I also commend our colleague, Senator Tom Clonan, who first published his findings on this issue 23 years ago. It has been a long road for him and his family. He spoke yesterday of the consistent and constant reprisal and abuse he has received while trying to bring this issue to light. We will now have a statutory inquiry, which is something the Women of Honour sought. I am pleased that will be the next step. I heard one of the Women of Honour on the radio this morning speak graciously about the organisation. She said the organisation has pride and its members can serve with pride. There is an opportunity now to improve the organisation and make it a safe workplace for the women and men who serve in Óglaigh na hÉireann.

Senator O'Loughlin also spoke about the ESB and its record profits of €840 million last year. She asked how a company can make such profits in light of the excessive and extortionate bills that many consumers are trying to pay.

Senator Boyhan spoke about the Order of Business and a couple of key debates that will happen today on St. John Ambulance and Inland Fisheries Ireland. He also welcomed the unveiling of the John Hume statue. He has requested a debate on the shared island initiative.

Senator Boylan spoke about neutrality, as did Senator Higgins. We would probably disagree about some aspects of the issue, which will come as no surprise. I have a different view about what PESCO means. It is a matter of opting in to certain projects. I do not believe it undermines neutrality. The Government position was and is that we are fully committed to Ireland's neutrality as it stands. There is no effort at all to chip away at our neutrality or water it down, to use the Senator's words. However, we also need to acknowledge that we are not operating in isolation. We are members of the European Union. We also need to protect our own country, which means collaborating with other like-minded member states on key projects through PESCO and in other ways.

Senator Higgins proposed an amendment to the Order of Business to have No. 21 taken before No. 1. I am happy to accept that amendment, which was seconded by Senator Flynn.

Senator Crowe spoke about sentencing in the courts. I am conscious of the sensitivities around the topic. The Senator highlighted issues concerning the public response to some sentences that have been publicised in recent times. He said there is the appearance of lenient sentences for very severe crimes and has asked for a debate on the issue. There are two courts Bills due in the Chamber after Easter and that might provide an opportunity to question the Minister on that issue. If that is not sufficient, we can always revisit the issue but there will be two opportunities to engage with the Minister after the Easter recess.

Senator Ward proposed an amendment, seconded by Senator Lombard, to the Order of Business to the effect that No. 22 be taken before No. 1. I am happy to accept that amendment. I commend the Senator for his work in identifying and addressing gaps in our legislation. I agree with what he said about children being sentenced at a later stage, when they become adults, when the offence in question was committed when they were minors. That is a gap that needs to be closed. I agree that it was an unintended consequence. It was not the intention of the legislation.

Senator Mullen spoke about being appointed as one of the five Seanad Members to the assisted dying committee. He made a number of points about the title of that committee. He has requested that the title be changed to the assisted dying and assisted suicide committee to facilitate the viewpoints of all members. He also spoke about the potential impacts for vulnerable people. I have no doubt but that the Senator will perform his duties to a very high standard and will represent a part of our society. It is important that those voices are represented at all Oireachtas committees.

Senator Lombard raised the issue of vulnerable adults and transport to services. Once they turn 18, they do not have access to transport. I suggest the Senator put down a Commencement matter because it is a specific issue. That might yield sufficient information or flag the issue with the Minister.

A request was made by Senator O'Sullivan, supported by Senators Paddy Burke and Gallagher, for a debate to examine the issue of NGOs, including how they are established and funded, how they operate and how many of them there are. I will make that request to the Minister. The Senator made a point about a public information campaign by the Government Information Service. That might be a good question to ask as a Commencement matter, as it is niche and specific. However, we will certainly seek a wider debate on that area. The Senator made an interesting point. He posed a question around the National Women's Council, for example. While the word "national" is in the title of the organisation, I would agree with the Senator that many women do not feel represented by the National Women's Council. That is only one example and my intention is not to single out that organisation. However, one would wonder how an organisation gets such a title and represents a particular viewpoint when it is not representing everybody. That is an interesting debate in which the public might also be interested.

Senator Wall, as I said, spoke about the Defence Forces report.He asked for the Minister for Defence to come to the House. The Tánaiste will be in the House to discuss that issue on 25 April.

Senator Malcolm Byrne spoke about CCTV footage for illegal dumping and raised an issue around getting the same response on two separate occasions that did not really answer his question. I will liaise with the Senator and see whether we can elicit a more detailed response form the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications on when the commencement order will be signed.

Senators Kyne, Murphy and Maria Byrne all raised the issue of the hot school meals programme. There seem to be challenges in getting companies to tender at current rates, even though significant funding, which was in excess of €90 million in the previous budget, is being provided by the Government. We will request a debate on that. I might also suggest a Commencement matter from all three Senators to see whether we can get an update on that. There are issues in that the cost of providing meals that has gone up. The cost of food has gone up. We know that. It is one of the most significant increases in terms of inflation. We probably need to keep step with that if we are going to provide the same standard of meals to students across the country and expand the programme.

Senator Murphy raised an issue around dog owners and the issue of dogs attacking sheep.

Senator Paddy Burke requested a debate on public transport and capacity issues. I certainly agree with the Senator in terms of the availability of public transport to certain parts of the country. He raised on a previous day the issue of the last train to County Mayo leaving at 6.15 p.m. In reality, a person would want to be on his or her way to Heuston Station by 5 p.m. in order to actually make the train. It is not very flexible for those travelling for appointments or work. I know from a recent engagement with Iarnród Éireann that the issue is one of carriages. It does not have enough trains to put on the tracks. It is looking to purchase new carriages, but it could be 2024 before it has additional carriages. I understand the focus will be on putting extra capacity in Dublin but there are plans to roll out more carriages, excuse the pun, to other parts of the country as well. There is also talk of a later service to Mayo, potentially leaving Dublin at 8 p.m. I am not sure at what stage that is at in terms of securing it, however.

Senator Gavan spoke about the ESRI report and the need for additional hospital beds. It is important to acknowledge that there has been a significant increase in hospital beds in the last decade. We are up to more than 1,000 additional beds. We have a bit of catch-up to do. There is an acknowledgement that we need more beds, but we need staff to man those beds. It is not simply about putting in a physical bed; we need the staff to go with it. There are acknowledged challenges in terms of recruiting staff into the health sector.

Senator Gallagher spoke about penalty points and the suggestion that a tiered approach might be more appropriate whereby those who are slightly above the speed limit would not get the same penalty points as those who are excessively above the speed limit.

Senator Maria Byrne welcomed the additional routes into Shannon Airport and congratulated Ms Mary Considine and her team at the airport on the 20% increase in passenger numbers over the last couple of years. It is a great success. The regional airports have been doing quite well in the last couple of years. Knock Airport recently added a flight connection into Heathrow Airport, which is one of the major international hubs. It was a huge coup for the airport and its staff had been working on it for many years. Equally, Shannon Airport has also been doing exceptionally well. It is good to see a greater balancing of air travel around the country, which is also taking a little bit of pressure off the capital.

Senator Flynn spoke about the Speak Out against Racism briefing in the audiovisual room, which I believe kicked off at 12 o'clock. I wish the representative group well for the briefing. It may be coming to a close very soon so as many people as possible should get there and pop in. I thank the group for taking the time to come in and brief Oireachtas Members on that really important issue.

Senator Conway asked a specific question and raised some issues around designated activity companies that are mainly related to County Clare. I might suggest a Commencement matter on that issue.

Senator Dolan spoke as she often does about Ballinasloe. We are all very well versed in what is happening in Ballinasloe on a weekly basis; good on her. She spoke about Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre telling the story of the von Trapp family. She told us about the number of children who participated in the programme, which was really good for the community.

Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about Dublin's north inner city and the benefits of the Five Lamps Arts Festival to the community. The Senator then raised a very important issue around schools and Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire in the inner city. It has been using temporary accommodation for 20 years, which is just shocking. It is ready to have a shovel put in the ground and build but the brakes have been applied, in effect, by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. A number of schools, one of which is in my own area, are at an advanced stage as well. Students and staff were expecting the school to be delivered at a certain point but the brakes have been put on. It is hugely upsetting for those school communities. Much work is going on behind the scenes with the Minister, Deputy Foley, the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to get these schools moving again. I understand the need for oversight and cost-benefit analysis to ensure that public money is spent properly, but these schools were ready to move. We had already passed the planning and tendering stages. These schools need to be allowed to pass through and then we can do the other bit of work that is required.

Senator Ahearn asked for a debate on social protection. We will seek that debate with the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. I have requested the Minister for other issues so we will get a debate with her most likely after Easter and hopefully before the summer recess. The Senator spoke about the special meetings that are being called in local authorities. The points he raised are very important to put on the floor of the House. It shows the hypocrisy of those members who are calling these special meetings. The Senator rightly pointed out that the practical impacts are that housing staff are not available to deal with housing queries on the day and that very often, the members requesting are the ones who are objecting to housing. It shows that it is being used as a political tool, which is really unhelpful. It is important that we call that out. The meeting will come and go, but we will continue to focus on getting the job done of delivering homes. That is what we are about.

Senator Cassells spoke earlier about the issue of gambling. We look forward to debating the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 in the House at the earliest opportunity, certainly before the summer recess.