Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for their contributions on the Order of Business. Senator O'Loughlin drew our attention to the 150th anniversary of the death of Ernest Shackleton, who, as we know, was a famous Antarctic explorer with roots in County Kildare.Shackleton's Polar Medal is for sale in the UK and the Senator has asked that the Government consider purchasing it for use in the museum in Athy that is going to open soon. The Senator wished all those involved with the museum well with its opening.

The Senator also asked for a debate on the application process relating to school enrolment. There are particular challenges regarding the numbers of students being enrolled and having enough teachers to meet the demand. I will discuss with the Senator how we might deal with this issue.

Senator Keogan spoke about the Tusla report on children’s residential centres. She made a very good point that we should not need these centres. Unfortunately, however, we do. She has asked that we do more to have a better functioning foster care system in order that every child would have a home to go to rather than a residential centre. She is concerned about the delivery of safe services in those centres.

Senator Higgins raised Palestine, Gaza and the Middle East as did Senators Boylan and Dooley. I concur with the sentiments expressed by all Senators. This issue was raised yesterday. We will have statements on the Middle East next Tuesday. The Tánaiste will be present, which will give us an opportunity to make our views known and to hear directly from him about what the Government can and will do. I thank all Senators, particularly those in opposition, for acknowledging that the Government has been very strong in its position on the Middle East and has been an outlier at times, or certainly in the minority, at EU level. But there are processes in place. Senator Higgins mentioned the EU-Israel association agreement. There are processes in place, and it is not as black and white as invoking Article 82. There is a process to do that. The Tánaiste and the Taoiseach have signalled strong intent that sanctions should be imposed on Israel in respect of what is happening. The loss of life is just reprehensible. We are all feeling very helpless as we watch what is happening. We will have a more full debate next week on the matter.

Senator Boyhan spoke about the citizens’ assembly report on the use of drugs and welcomed the establishment of a special committee to be chaired by an Independent Member of Dáil Éireann and asked that committee members from this House would be identified without delay. As the Senator will be aware, there will be a process and the Whips of each group will be contacted when spaces are available and there is a start date for the committee. We believe it will be some time in April. However, normal processes will apply in allocating spaces to Senators to serve on that very important committee.

Senator Craughwell asked for a debate on the Atlantic fleet and shared patrolling of the Atlantic Ocean. It might be appropriate for the Senator to table a Commencement matter, particularly as this is quite a specific question, in order see if that yields some information that might be of use.

Senator Burke asked about the revival of the Irish language and called for planning guidelines in relation to Gaeltachts to be weighted in favour of those who want to live in those areas and who are from those areas. I absolutely concur with those remarks. There has been a revival and we have some excellent Gaeltachts in County Mayo, across the west and, indeed, nationwide. Irish has become very popular and I think schools are teaching the it much better than they used to. That needs to be supported, and the planning system has to support the communities in question to survive and thrive and to grow. That is really important.

Senators Gallagher, Conway and Maria Byrne all referred to the challenges facing small businesses. As I said yesterday, the increased cost of business grant has been made available. The amount of money involved, €257 million, is significant. I accept, however, that capping the grant at €5,000 per business is probably a little lean for some of those involved. It could be perfectly adequate for many businesses, but there might be some for which it would not cover the massive increases they have experienced. A request has gone in to Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for a debate on that matter. I hope that the Minister, Deputy Coveney, or one of the two Ministers of State in the Department might have time available to come to the House in the coming weeks to give Members time to discuss the issue because it is coming up in the House regularly and is clearly a concern across the country. The Government has shown that it is eager to help business. There is an acknowledgement with auto-enrolment and the increase in the minimum wage and statutory sick leave that there is a lot coming at business in a relatively short period and it is putting a lot of pressure on. The Government is keen to do what it can to assist businesses.

Senator Conway stated that there is a need to impose economic sanctions on Israel.

Senator Ahearn referred to the occupational pension, which has been impacted by the increase in the State pension. It would be worth his while tabling a Commencement matter on that. Often we make these changes with the best of intentions but sometimes there are unintended and unforeseen consequences. I am sure a workaround can be found to try and assist people because the intention of the Government was not to make people less well off. It was not the plan to have less money in pensioners pockets; the opposite was the intention.

Senator Maria Byrne spoke about UHL, as she often does. She probably does so weekly. UHL is always top of the agenda in the Seanad. For a multitude of reasons, there are ongoing pressures in that hospital, which serves a huge catchment area. That has to be acknowledged. The Senator has always acknowledged the increase in bed capacity and the level of investment in the hospital. In comparison with other hospitals nationwide, UHL has receive huge investment and there has been a very hands-on approach on the part of the Minister and the Department. There is a push to increase the number of discharges at weekends and to get a more consistent service across the entire week. Hopefully, this will alleviate the pressure. It is great to see some positive news about the 57 new homes being opened by Circle housing in Limerick.

Senator Dolan referred to the Saolta update on hospitals under its remit. She made a particular case for the extension of the emergency department at Portiuncula University Hospital and for the improvement of maternity services there. Portiuncula is a very busy hospital.

Senator O’Sullivan spoke about the backlog relating to car registrations. He is correct. If someone is fortunate enough to be able to purchase a new car, they should be able to take it home in a reasonable period. I suggest that the Senator table a Commencement matter on that. This is a significant issue and a Commencement matter might get the relevant Department to focus on how it can assist people in that position. An administrative backlog of three months is a bit excessive.