Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish the Sinn Féin grouping well, too, as it continues forward.

Senator O’Loughlin spoke about an issue relating to community engagement groups in the Rathangan area and how she and her colleague, Councillor Anne Connolly held a public meeting, which had 200 in attendance. All of us know that 200 attending a public meeting is a significant number. I urge the Minister and local gardaí to take on board the concerns raised by those communities. As someone who visited County Kildare very recently, including Kildare town and Rathangan, it seems strange that it would be put into the Leixlip division because there is quite a distance between the two areas. There will always be teething when one is making changes of that nature and I hope that the delay in implementation is there to give space to deal with those particular issues.

I also want to take on board and concur with Senator O’Loughlin’s remarks about what happened on Tuesday. On Tuesday we had the election of a new Taoiseach. On Tuesday, Deputy Micheál Martin, the Tánaiste, formally stood in the Dáil Chamber and said that Ireland as a state would move to recognise the state of Palestine. That was a hugely significant moment. We have long campaigned for this. Many Members of this House and the other House, cross party, have sought that. I was particularly struck by the Tánaiste’s remarks when he said that delaying this was no longer credible or tenable and that he has, for the past six months, been working with other member states to try to get a coalition of member states that are involved in peace initiatives at EU level to move to collectively recognise the state of Palestine. We do not have a date yet but we are told that it will happen in the coming weeks. It is a hugely significant moment for Ireland and the Government that it is now Government policy that the Irish State will formally move to recognise the state of Palestine. I think for all of us it was a hugely significant moment. I want to add my support. I was delighted to see it being said in the Dáil by the Tánaiste on Tuesday.

Senator Kyne, as he has often done, raised the issue of Inland Fisheries Ireland. He has raised serious issues that are of public interest in this Chamber on a continuous basis. I have requested, on numerous occasions, the Minister, Deputy Ryan to come to the House to debate the issues. I understand the reasons he has articulated as to why, from his Department's perspective and from his perspective as Minister, it is not appropriate but there are serious issues of concern to the public that have not been adequately addressed. I commend Senator Kyne on continuing to raise these issues. He has been doing it for the best part of a year now. Changes have been happening but there seems to be a degree of secrecy around some aspects of what has been happening in Inland Fisheries Ireland. We all want to see that matter concluded and brought to a satisfactory resolution.

Senator Boyhan extended warmest congratulations to our new Senator. He did make a comment that he did not think the Opposition should be viewed as the enemy of the Government. I want to assure Senator Boyhan that Government Senators do not view Opposition Senators as the enemy. As I said, we are a collegiate Chamber. We work together. That does not mean we always agree but I certainly do not agree with that particular viewpoint.

I will touch on some of the issues Senator O’Hara spoke about. His CV and experience speaks for itself. It is fantastic to have that experience here. He spoke about how peace has pretty much been achieved for all. It is still a peace we have to mind and it is a work in progress but the reconciliation and prosperity has not been achieved for all; it has been achieved for some. We can all agree that is something we have to work on in this Chamber collectively. His work, in terms of the community and voluntary sector, will be hugely valuable in his contributions here. As he said, it is 26 years since the Good Friday Agreement. We have more work to do on that yet. That will be part of his mandate and what he will do in this Chamber. I wish the Senator well.

Senator Moynihan spoke about the post-natal support system and those going on maternity leave not being replaced. I agree with her comments. It is something that might be worthy of a Commencement matter. There are challenges throughout the country in replacing those who go on maternity leave but the Senator is correct that those working in the public health system, and public nurses, tend to be women more than men and it is more of an issue there.

Senator Gavan spoke about section 39 workers in the south in counties Cork and Kerry and the challenges there and he asked for a debate with the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly. The Minister is not hiding, as the Senator might have suggested. He is one of the most prominent Ministers in the Government and is out pretty much every week discussing health issues. I accept the challenges in what the Senator spoke about. He also commented on the constitutional debate. I think we will keep it on the agenda of this House. I have no doubt that the Senator will continue to do that as he has done for the past four and a half years.

Senator Malcolm Byrne spoke about Josip Strok, the 31-year-old Croatian, and his tragic murder. What is in the media is that it was racially motivated and based on his not being able to speak English. Obviously, the full investigation is yet to be completed but we extend our sympathies to his family and to his friend who thankfully survived the attack. We wish him a full and speedy recovery. I will request a debate on coastal erosion that the Senator also requested along with colleague, Councillor Lisa McDonald.

Senator Dolan congratulated all those who have been promoted in recent days.

Senator Craughwell made a point about allowances for Irish teachers. That might be worth a Commencement matter. He has also raised issues around the two EU motions, one that we will debate shortly and another on an agreement with Canada. The Cathaoirleach has made the point that it would be a matter for the EU scrutiny committee and is not really one for the Leader of the House.

Senator Fitzpatrick paid tribute to the “The Pull of the Stars”, which premiered yesterday at The Gate Theatre.

Senator Sherlock raised the closing and outsourcing of services at An Post. I suggest that she tables a Commencement matter on the issue.

Senator Cummins requested a debate on aviation policy, which I have requested that previously, but I will ask again. I agree with his remarks that it is a hugely important area.

Senators McGreehan and Dooley raised issues relating to farming and the extensive rainfall. On the issues farmers are dealing with currently, it has effectively been raining since last July. I understand the last 12 months have been the second-wettest since records began. It does not matter how prepared or well-resourced a farmer is, nobody can withstand that volume of rainfall. We have had very little let-up at all. I welcome the Minister’s comments on support around fodder. Farmers are hugely concerned about input costs and having enough fodder to feed their cattle. We are coming to the end of the spring lambing season. Traditionally, lambs would be out on early grass but that has not happened. There is huge pressure and anxiety on farmers who feel they cannot care for their animals or pay the bills and deal with the costs coming in. Financial supports will be needed for the farming sector but my understanding, which Senator Dooley touched on, is that we have to deal with the fact that really wet seasons may become the norm and we need to put plans in place for future years. I am pleased to confirm that the Minister for agriculture, Deputy McConalogue will be in the Chamber next Tuesday to take statements on this issue and to hear the views and concerns of Members. It will be a hugely important debate.

Senator Lombard asked for a debate on education in relation to Irish oral exams. He might table a Commencement matter on the issue.

Senator Pauline O’Reilly welcomed her colleague, Senator O’Hara, and made a particular point around the Taoiseach’s speech at the Fine Gael Ard-Fheis. I do not know if it is my place to comment on that. Senator Emer Currie responded to that. That is Members’ interpretations of that. I certainly agree with the Senator’s remarks that the climate agenda is hugely important but it should not be viewed as a constraint or presented as a straitjacket for people. It should be viewed, as I view it, as a massive opportunity for the country and something that we have to deal with in any event. Sometimes the catastrophising around climate change only makes people feel hopeless. As we move along and deal with our keep cups, recycling and bottle returns, the elephant in the room is big industry, not only in Ireland but globally. How we tackle that as a member of the European Union and as a country is hugely important. The narrative around climate change can sometimes be too negative.

Senator Keoghan called for a debate on the human tissue Act and the opt-out register. I suggest a request for a Commencement matter would be appropriate since it is a specific question. We can follow up directly with the Minister on the opt-out register.

Senator Horkan drew comparisons between his election to this House and that or Senator O’Hara. Good man, Gerry. He also congratulated the Georgian ambassador who will leave us soon -----