Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

----- today, for his extensive service, and wished well.

Senator Conway congratulated all his colleagues on their promotions.

Senator Cassells raised a particular issue around the Aviva Stadium, the FAI and increased funding for women in sports. I will request a debate with the Minister with responsibility for sport.

Senator Martin has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business that No. 12 be taken before No. 1. I am happy to accept the amendment to the Order of Business.

Senator Maria Byrne has raised issues around University Hospital Limerick. She has been raising the issues relating to the hospital for years.Senator Maria Byrne has been a fantastic advocate for the hospital in Limerick, its patients and, importantly, the people working there. The Minister, Deputy Donnelly, has taken a very hands-on approach. He has visited the site on numerous occasions. He has made it very clear that rostering over seven days and having a full service seven days a week is a crucial and key element to solving the problems there. He is actively working with the new manager and staff there to try to resolve those issues.

Senator Mullen asked for a debate on the Cass report. I share his concerns. What we have been reading in terms of what is contained in the report is deeply troubling. We do not have a full appreciation yet of the impact and implications for Ireland, and our strategy and health service here but the matter should be debated. It must be fully aired and Members should be allowed and facilitated to express their views and ask questions without fear of being cancelled, abused, trolled or whatever else comes along with it. The issue is too important. Ordinary people on the ground are asking questions. Senator Mullen will appreciate that there is a huge fear among politicians about dealing with this issue and speaking openly about it, but that is an issue for a different day. The level of abuse directed at politicians and public representatives for asking questions on this issue must be called out and rejected. This debate should be allowed to take place without fear about asking questions.

Senator Currie asked for a debate on the black market, following her meeting with Retailers Against Smuggling. She expressed concern that 25% of citizens who were surveyed have availed of black market goods. Senator Carrigy raised issues around vaping and cigarettes among young people.

Senator Murphy made a very impassioned plea for the people of Roscommon, especially those dealing with flooding in the area. I am personally familiar with the difficulties there as I have seen it myself. There are huge challenges. People feel completely desperate and hopeless about addressing this issue, which has been left on the long finger for years. This is not an issue that happened yesterday or the previous week; Senator Murphy has been raising it for years in this Chamber. He introduced legislation on this issue before the Oireachtas, yet people are still living in that situation. It is completely unacceptable and needs to be addressed by the relevant authorities. The local authority needs to get to the table as well and push for services from a national perspective.

Senator Dooley raised the issue of farmers and fodder in County Clare and the west. He rightly pointed out the future challenges we will have with grain in particular. If farmers cannot plant this year there will be nothing to harvest next year. This is a huge concern. The Minister, Deputy McConalogue, is very much aware of the issue and he is engaging with the farming organisations. He is putting together a support package for farmers to address the current issues and to look at the long-term issues as well between this year and next year. That concludes the Order of Business.