Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The proposal will be to adjourn sine die.

I want to add my voice to the sentiments expressed about the ongoing war between Israel and Gaza. I welcome Senator Higgins back. It is lovely to see her. I could never put into words what she expressed this morning. She is very eloquent. She admits she is emotional but that is what makes her contributions so powerful because she is very personal. I really hope that she spoke for all of us today. I thank her for her contribution and acknowledge everybody else's good wishes.

Senator Cassells brought up an event that is quite shocking. I cannot believe we have a situation where an organisation receiving Irish State funds through an Irish State contract does not abide by Irish State rules. Not only will I write a letter to the Minister but I will make sure we make contact today and will ask for direct instructions to be given to BT to do what is good for it. If our money is good enough for the company, then our rules also should be. It is shocking to think that the people who are minding us when we get sick would consider having to go on strike because their conditions are not up to scratch.

Senator Ahearn spoke to me yesterday about this matter. It is shocking that almost 15% of our local shops' turnover is being lost to pilfering. I think we need far more of the stick in Irish justice than the carrot. We have gone much too far towards the carrot, to use that phrase. We should have a rebalancing. I am all for helping families with intergenerational issues but that level is not acceptable to be allowed to go unchecked.

I join Senator Clonan in his request for a task force for an immediate reaction to all children he represents. The Senator bring such a personal story to the issue through personal experience. We sometimes try to justify shortcomings here. The Senator really knows what the shortcomings are. He is not speaking anecdotally. I will support him. I do not know how I will do so yet but I will find a way.

Senator Dolan reminded us this morning that if we do not support our local shops, then we are not supporting our local jobs. It is something that we really need to do. I know it is important for people to come into our cities. The Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, has done a sterling job in the last few weeks, reassuring us that the shops are open for business and that they are great value and it is safe and all of that good stuff. However, our local shops around the country also need to be supported.

Senators Lombard and Carrigy spoke about the timelines of the agri-climate rural environment scheme. I really do not know the cause of the delay. There is no justification for families who live by the cheques they receive, supporting their income through their hard work, not receiving the payments in a timely manner. I will contact the Minister's office today to do as they suggested. We can endeavour to give some interim payments to tide them over until whatever difficulties have been sorted out in the Department of agriculture.

Senator Craughwell sought a debate on security, particularly in light of that Russian submarine off the west coast of Cork last week. He also wants a debate on the local democracy funding. This is with the Department of the Taoiseach at the moment. There are some issues with regard to state aid. They are trying to work out the technicalities but I will continue to keep the pressure on to see if we can get this resolved sooner rather than later.

Senator Seery Kearney has been talking about apartment defects in this Chamber nearly as much as she has been talking about surrogacy rights since she arrived here three years ago. I think she needs to take a bow because two serious issues she has championed have now been resolved in the one week. It is really good week for her. I have met Sam and Odette. The Not Our Fault campaign was relentless. They were outside the Chamber week in and week out looking for support, which I think they got from all parties. Sometimes these things take much longer than we would hope or expect. It is a really good week for the Senator and for all of the people seeking that funding.

Senator Boylan spoke about the SEAI report on emissions this morning. Senator Kyne is seeking a new strategy through the Irish Health Foundation on cardiovascular disease. It is hard to believe that it is the second largest cause of death in Ireland. As we have a very outdated strategy, I will write to the Minister and ask him to consider this. Senator Malcolm Byrne rightly congratulated Francie Gorman and Alice Doyle on their election this morning as president and vice president, respectively, of the IFA. It is a really seismic moment for mná na feirme, as Alice called them. She is a powerful advocate for mental health. We have a serious issue, particularly in the farming community with male farmers around mental health. Their election is a very positive development. Senator Sherlock welcomed the EU directive that will arise from the long-winded negotiations around platform workers in the European Parliament yesterday Senator Warfield is looking for a second level college on Inishbofin, which does not seem like to much to ask for if we want people to continue living on our islands. Senator McDowell has suggested an Order of Business amendment, which I am very happy to accept.

I join with everybody with good wishes for Christmas. We are very privileged to work in an environment like we do. The people who mind us on every part of this campus are genuinely wonderful people. I have always felt they were handpicked because there are so special and so good to us all. I wish all my colleagues a very happy and peaceful Christmas, and much love to you and all your families. Enjoy the break. I know we all work hard but we also need to have a good break over Christmas because next year is going to be a big year.