Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is no doubt about that. The House re-echoes its call for a humanitarian ceasefire, the release of hostages, including little Emily Hand - I understand that the Tánaiste met with her family today - and for aid to be delivered to Palestine. That is with all collectively working towards a long-term solution.

Senator Dooley also asked for a debate on the national public service broadcaster. I understand from news reports that 400 redundancies are being sought and that Kevin Bakhurst is meeting with staff today. The Senator is correct that we need to have a debate in the House on a modern national public service broadcaster. We certainly will look for the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin, to come to the House for that.

Senator Kyne extended his sympathies to the family of Louis Belton. He also spoke about the excellent work carried out by Galway County Council in response to Storm Debi, and commended the first responders, including the fire services and everybody in Galway County Council.He shared his concern about the ten years needed for a flood relief scheme and said there should be minor works we could be able to put in place before that.

Senator Craughwell spoke about the Artane boys' band and the memories we all have of Croke Park and the service the band has given. Councillor Mannix Flynn had a motion that was passed at Dublin City Council in terms of changing the name and uniform and looking for support. Obviously, that is not a decision we can take, but it is a noble call to make, absolutely.

Senator Gavan spoke by the situation regarding the HSE and the future recruitment freeze and concerns about the 20% turnover, in particular, in University Hospital Limerick. It is very regrettable, absolutely, that we are at this stage. I am glad that a derogation has been given for disability services. That is really important. However, it is a matter of huge concern to all of us. He also spoke about the issue of housing, and rent having gone up by 16% in Limerick. I have to disagree with the Senator, however. In terms of general housing, we had 22,400 houses completed in the first three quarters of this year and construction started on 24,000 and, therefore, it is unfair to say that nothing is happening in the housing sector in terms of all the new schemes that have been put in place to encourage homeownership, which is hugely important. I take his point, however. We have to help our renters as well. When we see rents going up 16%, that is something about which to be very concerned.

Senator Moynihan also spoke about the situation with hospitals and children in Gaza. She acknowledged the strong voice Ireland has and the strong voices the Tánaiste and Taoiseach have been using. She is correct; we need to bring huge influence to bear among all EU members on that. We will ask the Taoiseach and Tánaiste to do that.

Senator Paul Daly spoke about ash dieback in the thousands of hedges on our roads. In in my area in south Kildare, we have had so many electricity cuts over the past few months and they have all been because of trees falling due to ash dieback and taking down the wires. The Senator is talking about the wider situation in terms of road safety, however. He is right that we need to have a strategy and plan in place with the local authorities. We will ask the Minister for Transport to come into the Chamber and then, of course, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. That is important. We need to put a plan in place and we need to be able to support farmers with grants.

Senator Seery Kearney spoke about industrial action. I gather it affects the drugs task forces but I was not aware of it. There is a concern with the delivery of services that because people cannot act up, the task forces cannot draw down funding. That absolutely is a concern. We have to look into that because if there is support for a drugs task force, people need to be able to access it. She also spoke about YouTube taking action today with regard to misinformation, which is very welcome.

Senator McDowell gave us all a bit of a shock. It was a bit of a "pinch me" moment. Our thoughts are always with Senator Norris. As Senator O’Sullivan said, one of the most exciting things about joining the Seanad was thinking I would share a space with Senator Norris and, of course, with Senator McDowell. We absolutely wish him well. His bravery, courage, dignity and joie de vivre, in particular, have brought something to all of us. Even though we are obviously just talking about him and his wonderful and massive contribution to this House and society at large on a very preliminary basis, we will certainly be looking at organising something pre-Christmas or just after in terms of how we can honour that great man in the way he deserves to be honoured. I thank Senator McDowell for bringing it to our attention.

Senator Malcolm Byrne spoke about the decision by Government to apply to join CERN. He has been a really strong advocate in that regard.It sends a very positive message to the science and research community. I thank the Minister, Deputy Harris, the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, and all the research students who have been involved. We will ask about a strategy either in the House or at the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

By all accounts, we will soon have a new name for Senator Paddy Burke. The Senator spoke about the cost of business grants the Government brought in. He is correct that there are a lot of them but we need to cut down on the red tape. We need to simplify these grants and ensure the money gets to where it is needed. Business owners are so busy trying to deal with HR issues and supply and demand that they sometimes do not have much time for administration and form-filling. We need to make it as easy as possible for them.

Senator O'Sullivan met the parents of Emily Hand. I cannot even imagine what they are going through. The Senator paid tribute to their dignity and fortitude. When we think of a nine-year-old girl in any country and in any walk of life celebrating her birthday, we think of fairy wings, the colour pink because all girls wear pink at that stage in life, the joy of picking out a birthday cake and the guests who can come. To think of a nine-year-old celebrating her birthday all alone in a bunker is shocking. We have to unite around her.

Senator Dolan spoke about a report from GREVIO in relation to domestic and gender-based violence and the Istanbul Convention. She also spoke about the active consent programme in UCG. We had representatives of UCG in front of the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science last week. They are doing terrific work, which is being extended to secondary schools. This is an important area.

Senator Keogan welcomed the Muslim Sisters of Éire to the Chamber and spoke about their important work and the work of Brother Kevin from the Capuchin services. Aubrey McCarthy and Tiglin also do a lot of work in the same area. I thank all of the volunteers who do so much. We had statements on housing last week, so I am not sure when we will be able to get the Minister back to the House. In terms of the wider issue, and knowing so many of the volunteers who do great work, it is important that we thank them.

Senator Gallagher spoke about housing, the raft of measures to encourage homeownership and the scrapping of development levies. He asked that group water schemes be reviewed in April and that supports be given for them. The Senator also mentioned that 500 first-time buyers are buying homes every week. That is a good number. We need to remember that. At a time when there is a lot of negative news, we need to look at the positives.

Senator Boyhan also spoke about his friend and colleague, Senator Norris, and noted it is the first anniversary of the death of Vicky Phelan. He spoke of the profound impact Ms Phelan had and said we should have free smear tests for all ages. In fairness, the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, has done a lot of work on women's health and brought in a lot of innovative policies to support women. We can certainly put this proposal on the Minister's desk but in light of the reduced funding to the Department of Health and the HSE, I am not sure how far we can go with it.

Senator Lombard spoke about the Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries visiting Ireland and said he should visit farmers. I have great faith, as many of us do, in the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue's handling of this no doubt difficult situation. It is unfortunate that some of the good farmers are being victimised. I have been to many of their farms in County Kildare. They have brought in many of the measures and have been working closely with Teagasc. It is unfair that they are being penalised because other farmers have not been as efficient as they are in this regard. The Minister may be able to arrange such a visit, time permitting.

I thank Senators for their contributions.