Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of both current and former Fianna Fáil Members, I would like to be associated with the eloquent good wishes the Cathaoirleach paid to Noel. I wish him and his family health and happiness as they enter the next phase of their lives. I echo the Cathaoirleach's comments regarding Noel's kindness, generosity, understanding and support for all of us.Yesterday evening, I noticed on social media feeds news of a very disturbing horrible and tragic incident in my county of Kildare, where a horse that was attached to a sulky was driven over a cattle grid close to the Curragh and got its hoof stuck in the cattle grid. The driver did absolutely nothing but an observer contacted My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue. I thank all involved for the work they did. They sent out a vet straightaway, soldiers arrived on the scene and the Kildare fire emergency vehicle arrived but, sadly, nothing could be done and the horse had to be put down.

Very close to where this incident happened, there are many people involved in the horse industry and, quite rightly, they are under a lot of scrutiny in regard to horse welfare, and then we have an incident such as this. I spoke yesterday about the welcome new changes the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, is bringing about in regard to dog welfare. When we look at the havoc we have seen in urban areas and on our motorways created by sulky drivers, who show no heed for horse welfare and, indeed, cause danger, it is about time something was done. People talk about the sulkies being associated with tradition and culture. It is beyond time that we looked at banning sulkys and we cared for the horses involved. I am making that call here. What happened yesterday was tragic and appalling, but it is a wake-up call to all of us that more needs to be done and legislation needs to be introduced.

I want to raise an aspect of cancer treatment that impacts on many women and men around the country. While we are all familiar with hair loss and the impact it has on women and men, and it is very good that there is a scheme to help support those who are suffering hair loss to avail of wigs and so on, there is another area that needs to be looked at, which is the whole area of eyebrow microblading. I understand this makes a huge difference psychologically to those who are impacted by hair loss. Majella O'Donnell is a very strong advocate and Irene Teap spoke about this and said that when you lose your eyebrows, you actually look sicker than you feel. We all know how difficult it is for people going through cancer and, for psychological reasons, they need to avail of all of the extra supports that are there.

I believe this should be covered under the treatment benefits scheme and for medical card holders. The cost of a three-step procedure is €580 but if they are not working, many people do not have access to this type of money. One company that specialises in this area is Browtique and its findings tell us that while hair loss itself is traumatic, people find losing their eyebrow hair even more so. I call for this to be included.