Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

A number of matters were discussed on the Order of Business. Senator Kyne commenced with yesterday's good news regarding the State's financial surplus. Of course, a surplus did happen by accident. It came about as a result of prudent and careful planning by the current Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael McGrath, and his predecessor, Deputy Paschal Donohoe. We all agree that there are many pressing needs. It is appropriate, as the Senator said, that we have a debate on priorities because we as individuals or groups have many matters we feel should be prioritised in terms of funding. I will ask for the debate to happen. One matter Senator Kyne mentioned was funding for local authorities.

Senator Murphy also spoke about the €12 billion surplus and felt it was worth noting that we are in a healthy position because of the prudent planning that took place. The Senator also noted that we need caution in terms of planning for the future and investing in business opportunities and entrepreneurship.

Senator Clonan spoke about a social media post from Senator Keogan last night. He gave a view from other members of the Independent Group that they repudiate absolutely the tweet that was sent. I saw it last night and was quite appalled. Only that I try not to get into an adversarial situation with my colleagues, I would have called her out on it. I am glad the matter was raised today. It is important and we appreciate that the Senator has done that on behalf of his colleagues. I thank the Senator. He also raised the issue in Cluain Fhionnain in Killarney and disability services there. What he described sounds appalling. He said there are three unpublished reports, which is concerning, and asked for a Garda investigation into the situation. My understanding is that in calling for that the Senator has to go to the gardaí. We are concerned about this and will certainly raise the matter when we can. I understand that has to come from the Senator.

Senator Boylan spoke about the budget surplus, energy costs and the fact that the number of people who are in arrears with their bills jumped by 9% in the first two months of this year. That is a matter of some concern. Last week, I mentioned that the ESB made massive profits on the back of hardship suffered by people. The Senator also asked for the CRU to be staffed appropriately. That is something we in the Seanad should ask for. The Government has clearly stated that it is keeping an eye on the cost of living and will certainly review the situation in respect of the budget. I overheard the Minister, Deputy McGrath, speak about that last night.

Senator Hoey spoke about the survey on sexual violence. What struck me about what she said was the fact that 53% of those surveyed have not shared any of that information. They are holding that information within themselves, which is causing them more stress and anguish. I again thank her for mentioning the helplines for those who need them. It is a subject we have to turn to time and again.

Senator Ruane spoke about the use of AI in Ireland. She mentioned a book I want to read because it sounds interesting. She is absolutely right. We need to have a debate on the matter, something which is supported by Senator Seery Kearney. The fourth summit of the Council of Europe is coming in Reykjavik up on 15 and 16 May. I will be attending the summit along with the Taoiseach.As part of a paper I did for the Council of Europe, we highlighted three different areas that we needed to discuss with the 47 member states. AI is one of the three areas and the other two are climate change and gender-based violence. AI is absolutely an issue. We need to have a debate here. We will certainly support that.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan spoke about the Government surplus. He raised the issue of EirGrid being awarded two new power plants in the Shannon Estuary and the issue of planning decision delays about liquefied natural gas. We need to have a discussion with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications. I suggest that Senator O'Sullivan table a Commencement matter about that. It is an important issue and we need clarity, but that is best suited to a Commencement debate.

Senator Currie spoke about being in Belfast for the last few days and Agreement 25. We congratulate all those on the island of Ireland who were involved in commemorating 25 years of relative peace since the Good Friday Agreement. We all have to play our party in trying to ensure that the Assembly sits again. It is so important for the people of Northern Ireland. Senator Currie also raised teaching conferences and the issues raised there. I was at some myself. She has looked for a debate about teaching supply, particularly for STEM subjects. The Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is currently undertaking stakeholder engagement about STEM. She also raised the issue of promotion. The Minister, Deputy Foley, has committed to restoring middle management, which is important for the world of education.

Senator McDowell looked for a debate with the Minister for Justice about the Garda Reserve. He is correct that I know many fine people who went into the Garda Reserve but then felt demoralised and that they were not being valued. There is a commitment for 2021 to 2025 but nothing has happened since. We are almost mid-way through 2023. Volunteering has always been important on the island of Ireland. I was always proud to take part in the biggest volunteer effort, which was the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games. I feel that since Covid, volunteerism has drifted way. The Senator is right that we should look at it. I certainly support that call. We need to look at volunteering in the main, the value of volunteering to communities and to State organisations.

Senator Timmy Dooley called about hypocrisy from Senator Keogan. When I saw the debate last night, it struck me that the greatest celebration we had in this country for such a long time was for President Biden. He is a returned Irishman whose grandparents emigrated from here. He is right to say that we need a bigger debate on emigration and immigration. Coming stealthily into our communities and society is a very far-right view on those that are coming to our shores for a myriad different reasons. We need to embrace all the talents, culture and employment opportunities that these people are taking up. I will certainly look for that debate. Senator Dooley is right that as constitutional parliamentarians, we need to take on the battle here.

Senator Seery Kearney spoke about the implementation board for Cherry Orchard being put in place and gave us an update on that.

Senator Paul Gavan gave an example of two people who could not find places to rent. None of us wants to see a situation like that. He also spoke about the 230 local vacant homes in Limerick. That shocked me more. I find it difficult to believe that funding has not been released from the Department, because the Department has plenty and adequate funding. Obviously there has to be oversight of how it is spent but we need to take that issue to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and try to do something about it. It is simply not true to say that the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Department are doing nothing. In the first full year of Housing for All, we have seen 30,000 homes completed. We have seen a 45% increase in home completions since 2021. More important, it is a 41% increase from pre-Covid. Social housing figures have shown more new builds between this year and last year since the mid-1970s. I appreciate we have had a decade of undersupply. Trying to play catch-up is a huge issue. It is the biggest issue failing all of us.

Senator Robbie Gallagher spoke about career guidance and the allocation of hours. I tend to agree with him that it is important that we have an emphasis on well-being. There is obviously a concern that hours are being given to academic subjects. We absolutely need to look at how we support young people through well-being classes and career guidance.

Senator Maria Byrne spoke again about the call for the veterinary college in Limerick. Many of us have had the opportunity to speak to veterinary organisations. She wants to know when a decision will be made. I suggest that that should be tabled as a Commencement matter.

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins has asked that No. 2 not be taken today. I will accept that amendment and we will look for the extra information that she is looking for. It is important. She also raised an issue about immigration control. That is possibly something that we need to have a debate on in the House. We want fairness and justice for all those who try to enter our shores. She also called for the publication of the abortion review.

Senator Mary Fitzpatrick spoke about the 21% increase in cars being stolen. It is a shocking statistic. She spoke about how some specific cars are stolen for joyriding. We have seen some of the most horrific results from that, with trauma for families and lives being lost. It is dangerous for everybody involved. I share in her commendation of the Cabra Community Policing Forum for doing the work it does. We should look at rolling it out.

Senator Tim Lombard spoke about detoxing from social media, where we are going with technology, and about young people accessing technology at a very young age, sometimes with no boundaries. We examined this in the Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science last year. It is an important area and possibly needs to come out of the education committee. It is something that we would all have a view on. We will look for a debate with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on that.

Senator Garret Ahearn spoke about his local gun club and concerns that it has about game-hunting. It relates to the Minister for Justice with regard to firearms and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to national parks and wildlife. The Senator is seeking clarification on two specific areas. I think a Commencement matter would be suitable.

Senator Aidan Davitt spoke about his concern about the relationships between planning officials and councillors. When I refer to relationships, I mean instructions that seem to be coming down through chief executives of local authorities and the feedback that seems to be from councillors, that any intervention that councillors may make, as they are entitled to when making a submission on a planning application or having a conversation with a planning official, basically does not seem to count for anything. That type of local knowledge seems to be disenfranchised. We should call for a debate with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on this.