Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Members who contributed today. I acknowledge former TD and Senator, Mr. Ned O'Keeffe, who has joined us in the Seanad Chamber today, and the newly appointed Polish ambassador, who is with us also. I concur with the remarks of the Cathaoirleach regarding the passing of Emmet Stagg.

Senator Mullen is right to say this is an historic day. Every Member this morning spoke about the news that was announced shortly after midday, that is, the resignation of An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, as president and leader of Fine Gael. Of course, in time, he will be stepping down as Taoiseach of the country once there is a process to follow.

I will add my own remarks to that. On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party and the Seanad, I wish Leo Varadkar well. He has had a very long and distinguished career in politics. I have no doubt that whatever the next chapter brings, he will equally bring the same drive, enthusiasm, integrity and intelligence to whatever role he takes on. He has been through many ups and downs as a politician, as Cabinet Minister, Taoiseach of the country and leader of his own party. He has taken a fair degree of hammering and criticism during his time doing his job and, as he said himself today, there is a limit to what any one person can take. He has been there for a considerable time and always said that he will finish up early and not spend his entire working life in politics. I suppose he is staying true to that.

It was a shock this morning for everybody. It certainly did not seem that it was known by even the other party leaders.Most people have wished him well for the next chapter and thanked him for his service. That is really what is appropriate for today. I concur with the remarks of Senators in wishing him well.

Senator Casey raised the ongoing challenges for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in managing immigration. I take on board his point regarding the accuracy of information being provided to Members. It is difficult as the point of contact in a community, as the Senator has been, to get information to people locally if one is not being provided with what one considers to be correct information. That makes the job much more difficult. He is right that in the absence of accurate information, people will fill in those vacuums or gaps with what may be incorrect information. From what he said, it does not sound like an assessment of the site he referenced is happening. It sounds like the foundation of a building is being constructed. That type of situation locally is regrettable because it breeds mistrust in communities. When the situation is as challenging as it is and shows no signs of abating, we really have to bring communities with us and ensure, at the very least, that when the information is available, it is made known to the members of the community that will be impacted. That will be appreciated by those communities.

Senator McDowell spoke about the Taoiseach and also mentioned the party Whip. The Whip is not applied in all circumstances. There are votes of conscience in which we are given a free vote. However, the work of government would be difficult to move forward if the Whip were not used. It is about trying to strike the right balance. As we see, it poses great difficulties at times for Members of the Government parties when they are trying to do their duty as a party Member while also having their own views on a particular issue. The Whip is not applied in all circumstances but the Senator is right to point out, as have others, that the Seanad has proved its worth on many occasions during this term in respect of scrutiny of legislation. There has been very good debate in this House across all parties, for example, on the hate crime legislation. The Seanad also shone in the lead-up to the recent referendums. We certainly have proved that the people were right and wise in rejecting the referendum on abolishing the Seanad. This House has since proved itself to be an absolutely essential part of our democracy. The bicameral system and the checks and balances this House provides are very important. It was the wise choice not to vest more power in the hands of a smaller number of people.

Senator Maria Byrne spoke about the Taoiseach. She also raised again the plight of small businesses. We will have a debate in the Chamber with the Minister, Deputy Coveney, on 17 April in which we can tease out those issues. I am very aware that many small businesses are put to the pin of their collar, with many such businesses in town centres closing. I agree with the Senator that a one-size-fits-all approach is not working. There are many small businesses, particularly in retail, competing with online stores. It is not a level playing field. The VAT decision has caused huge issues for food businesses in particular as opposed to the accommodation side.

Senator Moynihan spoke about the Crooksling issue, if I may call it that, with the movement of international protection applicants away from the IPO building on Lower Mount Street to a different site. I listened to Claire Byrne's radio programme in the car on my way in this morning. She spoke to a woman on site who described the conditions there. All I can say is there does seem to be an improvement, with access at least to showers and toilet facilities and the provision of hot meals. I am not saying it is adequate. Clearly, we would like to do better. However, there seems to be a good bit of improvement in what had been appalling conditions on Lower Mount Street.

Senator Horkan let us know he is the only person in the Chamber to get a first preference vote from the Taoiseach in the recent Seanad by-election.