Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators for their comments, questions and statements here this morning. Senator Malcolm Byrne started off with the issue of section 39 organisations. It is a long-running saga and section 39 workers have valid issues and claims regarding their pay and not being treated in the same way as those within the HSE, particularly with regard to health and mental health. I will certainly request that a debate on the matter be facilitated.

The Senator also raised the matter of the cost of the cyberattack, stating that it is estimated at up to €144 million and that it is likely to grow. The personal data of some 100,000 people were accessed during the cyberattack in 2021. A question mark hangs over whether the HSE is liable under the general data protection regulation to pay compensation for alleged non-material damage such as stress resulting from the hacking incident. That is before the courts and there will be an answer on it but it is clearly something that is worrying and the Senator is right to highlight the fact that it is the smaller organisations that are part of the health service that are most vulnerable to attack. That needs to be taken on board by those involved in the protection of data. The Senator also mentioned Meta and data breaches and proposed a debate on data security and cybersecurity. I will request that such a debate be facilitated.

Senator Keogan raised the matter of the least that people expect, a roof over their heads and a job to put food on the table. When I first entered these Houses back to 2011, it was a different country and a different world. With regard to housing, we were talking about ghost estates, people in negative equity, bust banks, bust developers and the IMF in the country. We have come a long way since then. We effectively have full employment. That goes back to a number of issues raised here and the inability to get people to provide all of the services that are needed. The Senator also raised valid questions regarding the Dental Council of Ireland, capacity within the system and dentists not signing up to HSE schemes. I will request a debate on those matters. She also talked about the abortion review. I am sure we will have statements or a debate on that issue. I will certainly request that. The Joint Committee on Health has been asked to examine the review with its authors. We will be dealing with that later in the month. As I have said, it will then be up to each individual Member of each House to pass judgment on any legislative changes that might be proposed.

As she did last week, Senator Garvey brought up the issue of the fish kill in the Inagh River and noted that there is a public meeting to be held in the Falls Hotel. I certainly hope that those responsible are investigated and brought to task. As I have said, accidents can happen but negligence should not be tolerated. I acknowledge the work of Inland Fisheries Ireland and all of the public bodies that are engaging with it. I presume the clean-up is under way but it will take many years for that river to be restored to its previous state.

Senator Gavan asked where the Minister for Health is. He was before the Joint Committee on Health on 26 April to talk about hospital issues and he will be in this Chamber on 1 June to discuss matters relating to the health capital plan. As he often has before, the Senator raised the issue of the University Hospital Limerick. As he will know, there are significant plans with regard to new ward blocks. They are certainly overdue. Under questioning before the Joint Committee on Health, the Minister admitted that there should have been increased capacity before the decision to close the emergency department in Ennis back in 2009. There are ongoing issues there. Unfortunately, it is patients who are suffering. The Minister will be here on 1 June to discuss matters.

Senators Chambers and Murphy were in agreement in discussing the national development plan and the delays in respect of the section of the N17 from Knock to Collooney. I have certainly heard stories regarding conversations the Minister may have had with senior individuals in Sligo regarding a number of issues in the west of Ireland. Based on what we have heard, I would certainly question his attitude to the west of Ireland, whether regarding Knock airport, the western rail corridor or investment in roads. There are commitments in the programme for Government that all parties signed up to. My party and that of the Senators are very much of the view that roads that have been progressed to a certain level should be continued and funded. I see Senator Carrigy here today. He has advocated for the road from Longford to Sligo, which has also hit the buffers. We need to progress roads like that if we are serious about balanced regional development and about investing in the west and north west.

Senator Chambers also mentioned the all-Ireland rail review. Again, I understand we are waiting for Stormont to be back up and running but I believe it is now safe to say that the Athenry to Claremorris section is safe and will now progress towards reopening. There is a local election in Northern Ireland today. I hope that, once it is out of the way, attention can be refocused on getting Stormont back up and running and getting the Assembly back working. A couple of weeks ago, Dexcom announced investment in Athenry. Those 1,000 jobs are a great incentive to reopen the railway line to Tuam and Claremorris. That level of investment in the economic corridor between Athenry and Oranmore is only going to grow, which is good for Galway and the wider region.

Senator Murphy called for a debate with the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, on the issue of rewetting.