Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators who contributed. Senator O'Loughlin spoke about the Newbridge community group, the public meeting held to discuss commuter issues and the group's disappointment over the NTA declining to attend. She also spoke about Irish Water, the inability to get answers where water quality was poor but not an immediate threat to public health, and how Irish citizens in those areas were entitled to expect better quality.

Senator McDowell raised the issue, as he has done previously, of the Garda Reserve. We have requested that debate and will try to get a date for it as soon as possible. There will be a changeover in Ministers in the coming weeks, so we may have it with the returning Minister for Justice. I take on board the Senator's comments about Rathmines town hall. I am not familiar with the facility, but it sounds like it is not being utilised in the best interests of the community it should serve.

Senator Seery Kearney spoke about the bus corridor between Templeogue and Rathfarnham and challenges in south Dublin in terms of proposed new bus corridors and other public transport. I understand the Senator has raised the issue a number of times. I would encourage direct engagement with the Minister for Transport and perhaps a Commencement matter, although I believe one may have been submitted previously. It will be always a challenge when starting new cycling, walking or bus infrastructure, as there will be a loss of space elsewhere. I understand the challenges. It is a question of trying to strike the right balance between serving the greater public and being mindful of the communities affected by the new infrastructure.

Senator Boylan discussed the local authority elections in Northern Ireland. She also discussed energy poverty and the need to prepare for winter. It is some way off, but I take on board the Senator's comments about the high cost of energy bills. It is worth noting that the Government gave an energy credit to all households, with every household receiving €200 on three occasions, totalling €600. There was an expansion of the fuel allowance programme and an amendment of its qualifying criteria, with more people than ever now availing of it. There was also a fuel allowance lump sum payment. As such, the Government has done a significant amount in that space to alleviate the pressures that families and households are feeling in terms of energy costs. The Senator also mentioned Professor Edgar Morgenroth and his call for a greater debate and a change of policy at EU level on the hedging in which energy companies engage.

Senator Hoey acknowledged how yesterday was the eighth anniversary of the marriage equality referendum. She drew an unusual comparison between marriage equality and disabilities. I am not sure I would agree with her remarks that people with disabilities do not enjoy marriage equality – I believe they do – but I understand the Senator's point that, when getting married, you potentially lose some of the benefits you have been on if they are means tested, given that you are tested as a household as opposed to as an individual. That is the way the tax system is organised and it applies to everyone, not just those with disabilities. There is probably a broader question about specifically tackling the cost of having a disability. There are significant additional costs for people with disabilities. This issue needs to be addressed, but the link to marriage is an unusual one to make.

Like many other Members last week in particular, Senator Hoey also drew attention to the issue of refugees at Sandwith Street and Pearse Street in Dublin and at Inch in Clare. I would certainly not compare the situation at Inch in Clare to what happened at Sandwith Street – they are different – but there will be challenges in many communities across the board and we will have to listen to people. The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the rest of the Government have had a difficult job in accommodating approximately 85,000 new people in our country in a very short period.It is important to acknowledge, in that context, the scale of what we are dealing with and the timeframe in which we have had that increase in the number of people. Overall, we should be proud of how well we have dealt with that as a country. We should be proud of how much support, not just the Government but more importantly the Irish people have given to people coming not just from Ukraine, but from other countries fleeing war and other challenges. We can be proud of our response as a nation. It will be an ongoing one, and we will have to just deal with it.

Senator Black spoke about the 35th annual famine walk in County Mayo. She also called for a debate on neutrality. She is unhappy that the Green Party has changed its position on the triple lock. I disagree with the Senator's remarks that the Government is tries to influence public thinking. As public representatives, I think we all seek to influence public thinking. Is that not our job really? I disagree with the suggestion that the forum to discuss our defence and foreign policy is somehow designed to increase spending on, to quote the Senator, "weapons and war machines." That is not the intention of a consultative forum that will hear from citizens and experts to try and better chart a path for our country in Ireland 2023. Our foreign policy and defence policy have not been updated in a very long time. It is worth acknowledging and pointing out, as I am sure the Senator will be aware, that the triple lock requires a UN resolution, which can be vetoed by Russia and other permanent members of the UN Security Council. Many citizens will want to have their say on that aspect, and I look forward to feeding into the forum as well. I am not sure that is the position Ireland, as an independent sovereign country, wants to be in for the future. We have to consider whether the triple lock is fit for purpose today, given that it can be vetoed by countries such as Russia. That warrants debate and consideration by the public. As the Tánaiste has pointed out, the forum will focus on facts, not fiction, and will be evidence-based. It is open to every citizen in this country to have their say. We should not be afraid of what I consider to be a democratic process.

Senator Paul Daly spoke about the threat to one third of our native bee population. He made an interesting point about No Mow May, and the mowing of grass along our motorways where there is no threat to safety. He estimated that along one motorway there as much as 95 acres of grass could be left to grow for the summer. It was an interesting figure, and a good one to point out. I have left my own lawn unmowed for the month. It is halfway up the house at this stage. I live on an estate, and I am sure that my neighbours would like it mowed, but we have a sign up to let people know why it has not been mowed. We are conditioned to have our lawns mowed, and it is about a culture change. Taking one extra month to allow things to grow can make a small difference, but collectively it can make a big difference.

Senator Joe O'Reilly spoke about the sharing of intimate images and he is correct that it is currently a criminal offence. The work currently under way by the Department of Justice and the Minister, Deputy Harris, is a public awareness campaign to make sure people are aware that not just the sharing of intimate images, but the threat to share them is also a criminal offence. It is a worthwhile campaign. There is no point having new legislation in place if people do not know about it. There is a job there in terms of public awareness followed by enforcement. I commend the Minister on his work getting that campaign up and running.

Senator Boyhan congratulated Billy Alexander on his gold award at the Chelsea Flower Show and I also congratulate him on behalf of the House. I concur with Cathaoirleach's remarks that it is a fantastic award for Billy.

Senator Byrne spoke about the new 8.05 p.m. late service from Connolly Station to Gorey, County Wexford, which he and Senator Pat Casey travelled on yesterday for its first outing. It is great to have that extra service, which will serve a lot of commuters. He also congratulated the referee Michelle O'Neill on her fantastic sporting achievements, and he wished her well.

Senator Keogan spoke about the challenges for An Garda Síochána in enforcing what can be seen as broad, sweeping legislation. I am glad that the individual was allowed to demonstrate, as is his right. I commend the garda for coming back and correcting his position. It is a good characteristic that one can acknowledge when one has made a mistake. He went and sought advice and came back and corrected it. He is to be commended on doing that. People very often do not do that. It will be tricky, and I know many people will agree with the message being displayed on the board. It does not often get the debate it deserves in either House or in public discourse.I would agree with the Senator regarding the need to balance the rights of individuals with the overarching right to free speech and exchange of ideas and to make sure we strike that right balance. No doubt, there will be a forthright debate here in the Chamber, with many views exchanged, when we consider the upcoming hate crime legislation.

Senator Paul Gavan spoke about the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022 and, as was pointed out by the Chair, we will have an extensive debate on that today and again in the coming weeks. I wish to acknowledge the challenging situation faced by the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. I feel as though I am referencing the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, quite a lot on different areas. However, it is a challenging Bill. I certainly would have preferred to see the scheme extended to all victims and I do not agree with the six-month exclusion. However, the Minister tells us that he has tried to balance that with available resources and with the advice that he has been given. That is his position as the Minister making the decision on behalf of the Government.

Senator Dolan spoke about Ballinasloe, as she does on most occasions, and about a tourism event in the area which Members may be interested to check in on.

Finally, Senator McGahon spoke about the Enterprise train service to Belfast from Dublin. It does seem like an unusual amount of delays. We need to have a reliable public transport system and it is great that that facility is in place. It is a fantastic service, and I have used it myself. We have a way to go yet with regard to our rail services nationwide, and it is an area in which I have an interest as well. Finally, we are at a point where we are realising the importance of rail connectivity, particularly in light of our climate agenda and the targets we need to meet. I think we will see further investment in rail services and from what he has articulated, it is the Minister's intention that such investment is to continue. That particular service may be worth a Commencement matter because it is an issue that is quite particular to one service and we can see if we can get further details on what is happening on that line.