Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the Members who contributed to the Order of Business. Senator Maria Byrne was the first to contribute. she again raised the ongoing challenges being experienced at University Hospital Limerick and the capacity issues and bed strategy there. The Senator acknowledged the additional 98 beds that have been provided but noted that the situation is particularly difficult for staff, as highlighted by Senator Sherlock, and patients. This matter is being worked on actively by the Minister for Health and his Department. It has been raised consistently in the house by a number of Senators.

Senator Maria Byrne also wanted to acknowledge the opening of the International Rugby Experience on Limerick's main street and wish those involved well.

Senator O'Loughlin spoke about the Alzheimer's tea party that she hosted in the Coffee Dock. Tomorrow is the key day for hosting tea parties across the country in order to raise funds. The Senator also referred to ONE and wanting to get housing for ex-services personnel in the Curragh.

The Senator highlighted an issue that has been raised by many people outside the Chamber, namely, the fact that Croke Park is not a neutral venue for matches involving Dublin. Acknowledging Kildare's recent defeat to Dublin, the Senator stated that Kildare people are not sore losers. She raised an interesting point, however. I am sure it will not be the last time that this issue will be raised.

Senator Keogan and others referred to the fact that this is World Press Freedom Day. The Senator acknowledged the 86 journalists killed in 2022. That is a staggering number of people who lost their lives doing an important job. I would disagree strongly with the Senator in terms of the suggestion that there was character assassination of anybody working at any publication. There have been robust exchanges. I certainly agree with Senator Cassells that the Government has been supportive of press, particularly local press and local radio. I think we all acknowledge that there is a healthy tension at all times between public representatives and the press and that is supposed to be there. That does not mean one cannot be critical in both ways, but there is a healthy tension. We need each other in order to have a functioning healthy democracy and we need to have freedom of the press. However, I agree with Senator Keogan that the defamation laws are very restrictive. I would welcome a debate to see how we can deal with that because, while there are reforms afoot in terms of strategic lawsuits against public participation - and those changes have been asked for by the EU for quite some time - we operate in a restrictive way. That can often have negative consequences for public representatives. It can be a two-way street on that front. Overall, this is a good country in which to be a journalist. Thankfully, we do not have any of the issues the Senator referred to in terms of people losing their lives doing their job here.

Senator Ó Donnghaile raised again the issue of Israel and Palestine. I have requested a debate from the Department of Foreign Affairs with the Tánaiste on the issue and we have not had a date yet. We will put in a request, even for the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, to come in and have the debate. It is open to the Senator to put down a motion under Private Members' business, if he would like to help accelerate that debate, but I am seeking and have sought a date from the Department. The Senator also acknowledged the upcoming anniversary of Bobby Sands's death and also the hunger strike in Israel as well, and I acknowledge his remarks in that regard.

Senator Ó Donnghaile also called for the publication of the all-island strategic rail review. We had a debate on rail networks in the Chamber a number of weeks ago. The review is something I am also keen to see published. The Senator will be aware that, because it is an all-island review and we were working with our counterparts in the North, without an assembly and a functioning Executive, the report cannot be fully signed off.However, I believe it is the Minister's intention to publish the elements of the report that relate solely to projects in the South and to try to proceed at least on that basis. I certainly support that move forward. I hope to see the Assembly and Executive back up and running so we can get the full report published and get on with getting the rail network back to where it should be, with better services and connectivity across the island.

Senator Higgins proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, namely that No. 25 be taken before No. 1. It was seconded by Senator Ruane. I am happy to accept the amendment, which is on the introduction of a Bill. I concur with Senator Higgins on Sudan and the number of people in Ireland who have been greatly affected. I am aware that two doctors working in Castlebar hospital had gone back to Sudan just for a visit and got caught up in what happened. It escalated very quickly. How quickly things escalated to their current level took everybody by surprise. The doctors were able to get out but it was not without difficulty. Many people worked to achieve that. We send our thoughts to those affected in solidarity. I agree that we need to consider how best we can support those on the ground in what is an aid emergency because the reports we are hearing are just terrifying. There is a horrific situation on the ground.

Senator Davitt spoke about the challenges in getting an eircode changed to match an address. I ask the Senator to approach me directly on this. We might get some more assistance through the Department. The Senator welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to the effect that the development levy would be waived for the construction of homes commenced within the next 12 months and completed by 2025. The intention is obviously to get things moving and ensure commencements continue at the rate we want.

Senator Carrigy called for an increase in the housing adaptation grant.

Senator Craughwell also spoke about Sudan, but from a different angle. I disagree with his remark that we are freeloading on other countries in getting assistance. It is quite normal and good to have international co-operation in evacuating people in emergencies. If we can get seats on a plane operated by another country to get people out, I do not see a problem in doing that. That is sensible. Countries working together to get people to safety is to be commended, not something to turn your nose up at.

Senator Horkan spoke about the Polish community in Ireland and the 120,000 Poles who have made Ireland their permanent home. He also welcomed the Tánaiste's remarks on China, as did Senator Ward.

Senator Seery Kearney asked for a debate on apartment defects. We actually had a debate on housing on 29 March, a couple of weeks ago. It would have been an opportunity to raise the issue with the Minister. We will have a debate on housing again but, since the last one occurred so recently, it will not be for some weeks.

Senator Gavan spoke about press freedom and Mr. Julian Assange. The situation that the latter is in is terrible. I really feel for his children because they have been deprived of their father. There are very few in the international community satisfied about the circumstances in which Mr. Assange is living – if you can call it that – or stuck in. Many would like to see a more equitable solution found. I agree with many of the Senator's remarks on this. It is good to have the issues highlighted. To make a point I made earlier, we do not have a situation like that in question in this country when it comes to press freedom. It is a different space. We have to be careful not to use inflammatory language or language that would give a different view on the reality for those working in that space.

Senator Ardagh commended Senator Keogan on her work on hosting a briefing in the audiovisual room today with Ms Cara Darmody, whom I met a few weeks ago and who is advocating not only on behalf of her brothers but also on behalf of all children with autism and additional needs and families caring for people with additional needs. I wish her well.

Senator Ward asked for a debate on Coco's law, the number of prosecutions and arrests that have taken place and the progress in this regard. He also welcomed the Tánaiste's comments on China and spoke specifically about a public consultation in Blackrock on the Living Streets initiative.

Senator Sherlock spoke about the Murphy Four, the trade union movement and many workers' rights issues. I concur with her remarks and thank her for putting these issues on the record of the House during the Order of Business. It is important, not only in May but always, to ensure that we protect and advance the rights of workers and that workers across the board feel the benefit of advances in technology, improvements in the country's living standards and increases in wealth. We should always be cognisant of this.

Senator Cassells spoke about World Press Freedom Day.The Senator's remarks were very well made and there is no need to go back over them. I concur with what he said. Senator Lynn Ruane requested a debate on child poverty with the Taoiseach. I will make that request and arrange the debate at the earliest possible opportunity. It would be great to have that debate. As always, the Senator hit the nail on the head. It all comes back to a person's start in life and the opportunities he or she does or does not have. Not all children come into an equal society or an equal situation. All children should be treated equally but they are not. In terms of poverty and deprivation, the links are quite clear in respect of health outcomes and ultimately people's ability to reach their potential and to have access to all things we take for granted. We will make that request to the Taoiseach's office and try to get a date at the earliest opportunity.

Senator John McGahon spoke about public lighting and local authorities and made the point that there seems to be a ban or a moratorium within Louth County Council. I am not familiar with the situation in that particular local authority but the Senator has made the point well that it if we are trying to reduce our energy consumption, it makes sense to convert lighting.

Senator Garret Ahearn spoke about the briefing he attended organised by Senator Keogan and spoke about the challenges for family carers. He made a very valid point about women predominantly often having to leave their professions in the workforce to care at home and the challenges faced by many family carers across the country.

Senator Aisling Dolan spoke about the EU just transition fund. It is great her area is able to apply for that fund. It is significant funding and it is important we let communities know whether they are eligible to apply and that they are assisted in making the applications and in being successful in those applications. It is a transformative amount of money if it is accessed and spent. That will be our next challenge, getting access to it and spending it. I wish the communities well. It is great to hear it being acknowledged that transitioning to a greener economy requires significant changes for many communities, but particularly rural ones where it is different in terms of transport and services and where we operate in a different way. It is more of a challenge, particularly in agricultural communities. It is important to see the funding being put in place to support communities in adjusting, taking a different track and finding alternative ways to make a living and in enabling people to continue to live in rural Ireland as well as the west of Ireland.