Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Members who contributed to the Order of Business. Senator Dooley was the first contributor this morning. The Senator spoke about the issue of migration and the challenges there and stated that the issue, in his view, has been hijacked, particularly by those with far-right ideologies. The Senator stated that the level of disinformation coming from many different quarters is truly worrying and I certainly agree with that. The Senator stated that there was a duty on all of us, particularly those of us who are public representatives, to counteract that and provide facts and make sure that we hold the centre and put out to the public what is truly happening. It is important to acknowledge the Minister for Health put this well when he spoke about the numbers working in the health service that come from different countries and how heavily the country relies on it. The Taoiseach has also said how important migration is for Ireland, that it is good for Ireland because we need people coming in to support the country and the diversity that it brings is positive for the country. That is not to say that there are genuine concerns being raised. As I said yesterday on the Order of Business, it is the type of topic that we need to discuss, openly and honestly, in the Oireachtas and hold the middle ground because if we do not have those conversations, they are happening on the streets and in the pubs and restaurants anyway. Ordinary members of society are talking about this issue. If we do not discuss it, if the middle-ground politicians do not discuss it, we are leaving it to the fringes for those issues to be discussed and that is where disinformation does best.

Senator Mullen spoke on the same issue. The Senator's view was that the stabbings that happened last Thursday were far worse than the riots and that protecting our citizens has to be our ultimate priority. The Senator's view was that migration was part of what happened last week for the same reason, as I have just said, that it is the topic that people are discussing but he made the point that free speech is vital to our democracy and that we should not react to last week - I am paraphrasing - in bringing through what the Senator says are draconian free-speech laws.

Senator Doherty has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business that No. 10 be taken before No. 1.I am happy to accept that amendment relating to the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) (Control of Nitrous Oxide) Bill 2023. I agree with the Senator's remarks that the ease of access for young people to this substance is a problem right across the country. The worrying idea that it is not harmful is very frightening. As well as bringing through the legislation, there will be a job of work there for the Government to highlight to parents and students as well just how dangerous that gas can be, and the damage it can do, including resulting in death if misused excessively. It is very welcome to see the legislation coming to the Seanad. I look forward to an opportunity to discuss it on the floor of the House. We will get the Bill scheduled as soon as the Senator is ready to move it.

In response to Senator Dooley, Senator Boylan made the point that we have been engaging in racism for years. I think what Senator Dooley was saying is that we do not talk about racism in a negative way or stoke up the far right. From having spoken to him, I know that was the angle he was coming from. Senator Boylan is right, we do need to engage with communities and to tackle racism head on. Public representatives have a duty not to stoke up racism or to inflame matters because it is a very live and volatile issue at the moment.

I take on board the comments raised by Senator Boylan and Senator Wall in regard to Niall Hodgins interview last night on "Prime Time". The information he put on the record last night is that there was no plan last Thursday and that Garda members responded to each other's WhatsApp messages. The Garda Commissioner is before the justice committee today at 1.30 p.m. I am sure he will be questioned robustly by members of that committee. I am also sure other Members might attend that committee hearing. A lot will come down to this week. There is an acceptance by those of us on the Government side that there are genuine questions that have to be answered, and they will be answered. The Minister was in the Dáil Chamber yesterday for a considerable period listening to Members. The Commissioner is before the justice committee today and I believe the Minister is before it tomorrow. There is a genuine effort on the part of the Government to come forward and answer all of the questions from Opposition Members and to try to address the genuine concerns that are also being raised by Government Members. Everybody wants answers on what happened last Thursday and how things descended into the chaos we witnessed. We do not want to see that ever happening again. What Niall Hodgins said last night bolsters the point many of us have made that the gardaí who responded on Thursday night were just incredible and they are to be commended. We sincerely thank them for what they did that night. I said the same yesterday. It must have been a very frightening experience for them and I am sure for their families as well who knew their loved ones were on the streets that night while they were watching what happened on the live feed on Twitter. I give credit to those guards who did respond to the WhatsApp messages, or whatever messages that went out. They put on the uniform and drove into the city centre, not knowing what they were driving into but knowing they had to defend their colleagues. There were incredible acts of bravery all around so they are to be commended by everybody, as they have been.

Senator Wall raised an issue that came up at the autism committee about an initiative in Kildare on how effective communication boards have been in children's playgrounds. It sounds like a very good initiative and I commend those involved in it. I support the Senator's very good suggestion that it would be replicated across the board.

Senator Boyhan referenced the work of the Peter McVerry Trust, with which we are all very familiar, and the advancement yesterday by the Government of €15 million to continue the fantastic work it does. I agree with the Senator's remarks in that regard.

Senator Seery Kearney seconded the amendment to the Order of Business. She also spoke about the Dublin riots. She made a very good point, which is that there is responsibility on social media companies as well to take down disinformation and to not permit the spread of misinformation and posts, videos and images that could incite further violence. There has been a lot of focus on social media companies, not just in relation to violence and antisocial behaviour on our streets but also to attacks on citizens and much of the hate that is going around online. They have the tools available to them if they want to use them and they should not be waiting on us to legislate or to provide more regulation. They know what is required. I will make the call again that they need to do better. They have an ethical and moral responsibility to act much quicker than they have been doing.

Senator Gavan highlighted that today is International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. I hear that last night's concert for Gaza was a huge success. I had close friends who attended it last night and they had a great time. It was a very positive event and a lot of money was raised. I say well done to all of those involved and to the artists who took part in last night's concert. It was lovely to see that event happening in the capital and nice to have positivity after all the disgusting things that had happened since last Thursday. It was a good day for Dublin last night and a good day for the country. That was lovely.

Senator Gavan likes to take a pop at the Government most days. I disagree with some of his remarks. From day one, the Government has been calling for a ceasefire to the conflict in the Middle East and what is happening there. From day one it has been calling for an end to the violence and the killing. From the outset, we have said that where crimes have been committed they will be referred to the International Criminal Court, ICC, and they will be investigated. If war crimes have been committed those who have committed them should be prosecuted and brought to justice. Again, the Government has supported that, and not only that, it has also allocated €3 million to the ICC to continue that work. I am not in favour of creating divisions in this House or the other House, or in Ireland, as though we are on different sides in this debate. I do not think we are. The Irish people want to see an end to the killing, full stop.