Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Malcolm Byrne spoke about the issue in Ukraine, as well as the appointment of 14 new Irish ambassadors across the world. He welcomed the latter expansion and wished the appointees well in their new jobs.

I will accept Senator Carrigy's amendment to the Order of Business. The Senator spoke about Louis Belton and his level of service to his community. Those observations were eloquently put. We wish his family well in their time of grieving.

Senator Keogan called for a debate with the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. I will request that debate. I do not think people are shying away from the immigration issue. I tabled a Commencement matter this morning in respect of its impact on the hospitality and tourism sector as a result of the number of bed nights contracted by the State. That is having an impact on related businesses downstream. The issue has been discussed extensively in the Chamber and the Government acknowledges we are struggling to deal with this issue due to the numbers coming in. There is, however, support generally from the public to help people who are fleeing war and in times of need. It is about how we strike that balance. We have not always got it right and there is a realisation that this issue is here to stay. There will be no reversing of engines on the issue but there are moves to deal with the social welfare and accommodation elements of it. The Taoiseach has referred to the pull factor, that is, whether we are offering too much of a package and making it attractive to come here rather than go to other countries. Concerns have been raised regarding the percentage of people who may have sought refuge in another member state but decided to leave it to come to Ireland. That should not be happening. It needs to be addressed and is on the Government agenda. It is acknowledged, however, that we are doing our best to deal with what is an extraordinary and challenging situation, and we are feeling the pressure of that. That is happening across all sectors of society. Broadly speaking, we can be proud of our response in helping those most in need. The Irish public support that position. As I stated, I will request that debate.

Senator Murphy asked for a debate on health and the issue of sepsis. He pointed out that approximately 3,000 people annually lose their lives to that condition. It might be worth the Senator first tabling a Commencement matter to see how he gets on. We will have debates on health, probably not this term but in the new term. A Commencement matter might be a quicker way of getting an answer on that issue in the next couple of weeks.

Senator Clonan raised, as he has previously, the challenges faced by children awaiting complex spinal surgery. That situation is unjustifiable. The Minister is doing everything he can to expedite those waiting lists and get the surgeries done. Senator Clonan put on record very well the fears, anxieties and pressure parents are under in dealing with that issue.

I have addressed the issues raised by Senator Gavan regarding the Israeli ambassador.

Senator Boyhan asked for a debate on agriculture and climate change. We will try to find a way to deal with that debate.It clearly comes under two different Departments and, when we request a debate, the request has to be made to a particular Minister. We could ask both Ministers to come to the House for different debates to deal with the aspects that relate to their Departments, but perhaps there is another mechanism we can use to try to get a debate that will cover both issues under the one umbrella.

Senator Fitzpatrick also spoke about the Irish citizens released from Gaza today and commended the work of An Tánaiste, Deputy Micheál Martin, in the Department of Foreign Affairs, and all of his officials, who have worked day and night to get those people through Rafah and on that list. There is more work to be done. The Tánaiste and the Government have done a very good job in their diplomatic approach to this extremely challenging situation that is moving almost by the hour, and which is a very sensitive issue, to try to get people to safety. I commend the Tánaiste, all of his team in the Department, and our ambassador in Israel on their work in getting those people out. We only hope we can do more in the coming days and weeks.