Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Maria Byrne raised the peculiarities of BusConnects, wherein there are great opportunities but also peculiar omissions. I have great sympathy with the Senator and completely support her need to advocate for the provision of a bus service. What would appear to make total sense does not always translate into the plans. This has been my experience of BusConnects in Dublin. I urge the Senator to have a meeting with the NTA and BusConnects and reason things out. They have been amenable to change and to listening to advocacy groups in this regard. This has been my experience. At some point as BusConnects is rolled out throughout the country - Cork is the next major project, as the Cathaoirleach is aware - we will probably need to have a debate with the Minister. When it comes to Commencement matters, unfortunately, because this is run by BusConnects under the NTA, the Minister does not find himself particularly accountable. Having a debate on BusConnects and changes, in respect of which the Senator could raise this issue, would be very important.

Senator Keogan raised the review of the termination of pregnancy legislation arising from repeal of the eight amendment. It is a matter that is still in progress. We are seeing various pieces of legislation arising from it. I do not think that anything is set in stone as yet. Being an outlier, even if we were, which we are not - and I take Senator Keogan's point that we are not - is not necessarily a negative thing. Sometimes outliers are leaders when it comes to making changes.

Senator Dolan spoke about the spacing plan for Roscommon University Hospital. It is clear that those at the hospital are carrying out very innovative, fantastic and progressive work. It is an amazing service for the community, which Senator Dolan rightly highlighted in everything she said. The services there are quite extensive. Not having a spacing plan when there is an urgent need and when money has been allocated for the further development of services for the public seems quite odd. It would be totally reasonable if we supported a debate on this.

Senator Crowe echoed the original sentiments expressed by Senator Kyne. There is no doubt that there is hardship as a consequence of the HSE's recruitment freeze. We see headlines to the effect that agency workers are being employed when there is a recruitment freeze in place. We would imagine it would be simpler to lift the recruitment freeze. I concur with the position of the Government that the HSE needs to be accountable. The point in that regard was very well made. The executive needs to keep its budget under control. Great progress has been made. It is a shame to see any stalling of that progress. It is incumbent on us to have statements and a discussion on the matter with the Minister, Deputy Donnelly. It is affecting many things. I have seen that it has implications on who sits and attends meetings of drug task forces. It has quite wide ramifications. The debate is necessary.

Senator Gavan made a number of points. I am very happy to contact the Leader's office immediately to ensure a letter goes out. The Cathaoirleach can speak for himself. It does seem very peculiar. Money has been allocated for 180 projects throughout the country and any impediment to getting the money into the hands of the projects is absolutely ridiculous. Senator Gavan also raised the platform economy and I am totally with you there brother. There is no question that we need a debate. We need to understand the reservations the Government has and be able to do a deep dive into the reasons for them. I do not believe that anyone set out to deliberately obfuscate rights. I have had robust debates behind closed doors, as I am sure Senator Gavan can imagine. I think about this any time food is delivered. I think that this person who is potentially being exploited or abused and paid a minimal wage is risking their life as they cycle around the city.It is a frightening prospect, particularly in twilight hours, for the people desperate to make as much money as they can. The whole business model is obscene with regard to the rights of those individuals. It is important we have a debate on the issue in the House.

Throughout my time here, Senator Kyne has been an amazing advocate for the school transport system, as have many others, and in raising issues that arise. He is completely right that parents need to make plans around their children. While it is welcome that the situation with the bus from Moycullen to St. Paul's Secondary School in Oughterard is being resolved, which I am sure is in large part down to the Senator's advocacy, it is totally unacceptable that there should be a delay of four months in which parents are left without transport for their children. In Dublin, there may be alternatives in the form of other transport services or lifts from neighbours, but in more rural areas and where there is more reliance on school buses, it is really important that there be an urgent response. It is unacceptable there is not such a response. There has been a call previously for statements on this matter. It is important those statements happen.

Senator Craughwell has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, seconded by Senator Keogan, that the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, come to the House to explain his state of knowledge regarding a Supreme Court hearing. It is reasonable to say the Government would have had knowledge of this matter because it has to go through the High Court before it goes to the Supreme Court. Nothing is jettisoned straight from any lower court to the Supreme Court.