Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach and all those who contributed on the Order of Business. The Deputy Leader, Senator Doherty, spoke about the UN call for a ceasefire, as did many other Senators with very impassioned speeches. There is a view throughout the House that what is happening is abhorrent. There has been acknowledgement that the Government - the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Ministers - have done a good job, as has Ireland, in advocating for peace and a ceasefire. We have been very clear from the outset about where we stand on the conflict. I also note the comments acknowledging what happened on 7 October. What has happened since then has been entirely disproportionate and has gone on for far too long. I concur with the remarks of all Senators in this regard. We will have a debate on the issue when we return in the new year and we will try to get the Tánaiste to the House to keep the issue live in our debates and discussions. One of the top issues on the minds of citizens throughout the country is the conflict in Palestine and what is happening to children and innocent civilians there.

Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about COP28 and the historic agreement reached yesterday. I commend the work of the Minister, Deputy Ryan, who has been out there representing Ireland on this issue. He has done a fine job representing the Irish Government and the Oireachtas. It was an historic agreement. It looked as though it would never be reached. Agreement on transitioning away from and phasing out fossil fuels is a significant moment. As many have said, including Senator Boyhan, the agreement does not go far enough but it certainly goes further than what we expected. It is a step in the right direction. There is some good news in the midst of so much bad news these days.

Senator Fitzpatrick also spoke about the UN ceasefire. She also wanted to draw our attention to the work of Respond, the approved housing body. It will deliver in excess of 2,000 social and affordable homes in Dublin. That is a big development. I welcome this good news regarding Housing for All and the delivery of housing in the State.Senator Boyhan wanted to wish well and congratulate the new president and vice-president of the IFA. I note that Alice Doyle is the first woman to serve as vice-president of the IFA. It is a significant appointment for her and for Francie as well. I wish them both well in their terms ahead. The Senator rightly pointed out that farming politics is a highly fragmented space but I have no doubt that the IFA's members have selected well and that they will do a fine job in representing the interests of farmers across the country in dealing with the many challenges they face and in advocating for what supports farmers will need from us in the term ahead. We look forward to engaging with the IFA in our constant briefings with it.

Senator Boylan spoke about COP28 and new legislation coming through on welfare for animals and on companion animals. The Senator often raises dog welfare in the House. I completely agree with sending out the message that if people are thinking of getting a pet for Christmas, they should look to rescue dogs and not puppy farms. We have a big problem in this country with animal welfare and the way animals are treated. Most right-thinking members of society would agree that we should treat our animals well and with kindness, and that is not always happening. When getting a puppy for Christmas, it has to be minded 365 days of the year and not just over the Christmas week. It is a big responsibility for a household to take on a pet, especially if people are in and out to work and trying to manage everything else. An important message is to remind the that there are alternative options and many pets waiting for a home across the country.

Senator Sherlock spoke about ASD class places and secondary places in particular. I agree that it is not appropriate for families to be told to blanket canvass schools or send out numerous letters in the hope they might get a space. There are pinch points and we do not have enough spaces. We are seeing more diagnoses, more neurodivergent citizens and more people looking for different supports going through school and the education system has to be diverse to meet that diversity. We have made good progress in the past decade in more general awareness within the public, better understanding and more support. We have a good way to go yet and I have no doubt that the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, who has responsibility for this area, will be working on it. It might be worth bringing a Commencement matter in the new term to see where she is with that work. It is a challenge for Government and there is an acknowledgement that there is a shortage of places. Work is ongoing to try to increase the number of places and not have families in the space where they are worried about getting an appropriate school place for their child.

Senator Black spoke about Palestine, as she has often done. She referenced the ICC and the Government's position. The reason the conflict in Palestine was not referred is it has been referred to the ICC and is being investigated. With Ukraine, it could not self-refer so there is a distinction between the two. Our Government has done a good job in the position it has taken and it has listened to the public. We are united on this issue in this country in that we want a ceasefire. I take on board what the Senator said; that it is not enough to call for one. I note the work of Ireland with only three other member states in the European Parliament in sending a letter to the EU Council to get the EU to call for a ceasefire. We are using our mandate and voice as best we can to try to advocate for peace and a cessation to the hostilities. That is something we can be proud of in Ireland and the Government's response in that regard.

Senator Burke spoke about the Comptroller and Auditor General and Inland Fisheries Ireland. I am not quite sure what happens when things are highlighted or recommended by the Comptroller and Auditor General and how that is to be addressed. It might be worth tabling a Commencement matter to see what the process is there and what happens when those matters are highlighted. Other colleagues have consistently raised the issue with Inland Fisheries Ireland, particularly Senator Kyne, who has been in here on an almost weekly basis to raise concerns around the governance issues in Inland Fisheries Ireland. I share the concerns that have been raised.

Senator Craughwell brought similar topics to the floor and referenced, as he has done before, the SAR contract. There are challenges in that and we can all agree that it can be difficult at times to get the information we are seeking as public representatives, which we should be able to get. Sometimes we are given the roundabout way of getting to that information.

Senator Kyne spoke about balanced regional development and drew our attention to the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, which met the Taoiseach last week, and which has advocated for the advancement of key projects in the west and north-west regions. This includes the ring road around Galway, the N17, advancement of ATU Letterkenny and the western rail corridor. I concur with his remarks on all of those important projects. When we are advocating for balanced regional development - and we want balanced development and investment in the regions, particularly in the west - we must point out that it is better for the east, Dublin and the capital if it is balanced and if all of the pressure is not on one part of the country. It is in the public and national interest to have balanced development. That is a strong commitment in the programme for Government and the Department under the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, who is responsible for the national development plan, to balanced regional development. There has been significant investment and I welcome the advancements with the western rail corridor and the Moycullen bypass.

Senator Keogan has asked for a debate on the two referendums that will be coming before the public next year. It is intended to have Second Stage debates on the two referendum Bills when we resume sittings in January, on the first day back. It will be the first topic we discuss when we get back, so that is the earliest opportunity we could have had. The plan is to have those two Second Stage debates on that day. I take on board the Senator's point. We did considerable work at the Oireachtas committee on the section of the Constitution on the women's place in the home and there were differing views on it. I take the point that there are probably bigger issues in households around housing, health and the cost of living but there is a view that it has been sought to look at these provisions for a long time and there is probably never a perfect time to address issues such as constitutional reform. We are on that journey now and those questions will come before the people next year.

Senator Carrigy spoke about a personal issue; Members being treated differently from ordinary citizens. We are treated differently. It might not always feel like the warmest place to be but we are treated differently, rightly or wrongly. Among social media companies, there is probably a view that being in the public eye brings more on people but the Senator's point brings to mind a wider discussion about how far we allow that to go. Do we want to attract people into politics and keep them there? If the sacrifice becomes too large and the impact on the family is too large then you will find people exiting politics earlier than maybe they would have done ordinarily. That can mean a loss of some good people from politics. A bigger debate is happening and politicians are often in difficult positions. It impacts on the family as well, which is often forgotten. It is a point well-made.

Senator Clonan called for a ceasefire again and the UN resolution was referenced. I take on board the comments made on Hezbollah and the impact on our troops abroad. That is in the mind of the Minister for Defence, and the Government is aware of the protection of our troops. The situation is being closely monitored in that regard. There is huge concern among the defence community and their family members here. It is an active and live situation, as the Senator will appreciate, but it is one that is being watched closely in terms of our troops in the region. I thank the Senator for putting that on the record and raising it.

Senator McGahon spoke about Tom Hickey's retirement. We will have Tom in the House tomorrow for the Order of Business and we will get an opportunity to wish him well on that occasion. The Senator uttered some lovely words and I can tell that he is a good friend of Tom's from the rugby and different things. He has given fantastic service to the House but I will wait until tomorrow to talk about that. I wish him well in his retirement, which is well-deserved. It is nice to be heading into the next chapter of life, whatever it might bring. I wish him and his family the best and thank him for his lengthy service in the Houses of the Oireachtas, and to the Oireachtas rugby team; I gather he played a huge role in that regard. Well done to Tom.