Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The group is very welcome.

The minute I go back to my office I will contact the Minister on the issue of photographic ID. While we are on the subject of mother and baby home redress, it is my memory that on the record of the House the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, when it was raised with him that people were left out of the scheme, said he would review it. I have it written in big bold print on my desk with a view to holding him rigorously to it.

With regard to the drug trials, I know Senator Boyhan is working very hard on this and I hope we will have progress there. I also note there is no progress in the contribution from the religious institutions. It is probably reasonable that we would look for an updated report from the Minister, and perhaps statements on it later in this term to see how has the uptake gone. If there are any issues arising for people making claims, we should get to address them in statements in the House. I urge the House to do that.

Senator Burke, along with Senator Murphy, who gave some very frightening statistics, raised the issue of road safety. It is a disgrace that there were 1,800 speeding offences over the bank holiday weekend. I am glad they are being detected and it clearly shows enforcement by the Garda and a Trojan effort over the weekend but it is shocking. I agree that we need a debate in the House for the purposes of raising the profile of the advocate. When I was 16 years of age, my family got a phone call about a 19-year-old cousin being killed on the roads. It is a long time ago now and he would be a fine man, possibly with grandchildren, by now. Every April on the same day I relive that trauma and I am a mere cousin. For his siblings and his mother it was an horrific thing to experience. I think of them and any family with the experience of going through receiving that news and what it means and how it is for that community. There is no doubt we need to raise its profile here.

Senator Burke also raised the issue of rethinking the VAT rate. This reminded me of Senator Dolan's contribution. We are trying to get people to transition into areas for tourism. Certainly we need to be bringing people into the sector and not seeing places close. Perhaps we need to write from the Seanad to express our view in that regard. I will certainly propose it to the Leader.

Senator Gavan raised the issue of University Hospital Kerry and looked for statements in the House with the Minister, Deputy Donnelly. There is no question there is a very strong need for statements. It strikes me that a Commencement matter on University Hospital Kerry could be tabled specifically to get the issues addressed. The Minister, Deputy Donnelly, needs to come to the House on the matter.

Senator Dolan raised the fact that an information morning and webinar is going on to send out information on regenerative tourism and accommodation. Getting the information out is very important and I commend Senator Dolan for amplifying the message.There is tremendous opportunity now. The idea that there are no bed nights in Roscommon-----