Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Mary Fitzpatrick commenced proceedings this morning by speaking about the Dublin-Monaghan bombings on 17 May, some 50 years ago, and the families who are still grieving and seeking justice. She has renewed the call that justice be given to them. I certainly echo and support that.

The Senator also spoke about the match between Bohemians women's soccer team and the Palestinian team that will take place tonight. If anybody is free, it would be a worthy cause to support.

The Senator gave us the good news about the latest report on housing commencements and the fact that 18,000 houses were commenced in April alone. That is significant because key to providing housing is increasing supply. She also called out the hypocrisy of the Sinn Féin leader in the Dáil yesterday in respect of this matter.

Senator Paddy Burke spoke about one-off housing and the fact that those applying to build such homes seemingly cannot get local authority loans. It seems to vary from one local authority to another. I would agree and support the recommendation that we ask the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to recommend that this be included in local authority loans that would be giving out. The Croí Cónaithe grant has a tight timeline of 12 months, so maybe we could look for more flexibility. We will write to the Minister and ask for that.

Senator Boyhan spoke about the need for rural housing. I agree with that. He believes that local authorities should have particular plans for rural housing and should support families with access to their own land if that land is suitable to be built on. There should be geographical equity.We will look for a debate on that issue.

Senator Gavan spoke about taxi drivers and the fact that there is a group called Taxis for Ireland that does not include taxi drivers. He made the point that there was a meeting recently with a number of different organisations and groups but no taxi drivers were included. There are many issues that taxi drivers have concerns about. They should not be excluded from any group. Senator Gavan is seeking a debate in the House on this issue.

Senator Ardagh concurred with Senator Fitzpatrick regarding the anniversary of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. Listening to much of the narrative on radio over the past two or three weeks, it is heartbreaking to listen to testimonies that have been gathered in the past and testimonies from those still living.

Senator Ardagh also raised the issue of the Government's plan to increase the age limit on purchasing tobacco to 21. She also referred to vaping and noted that the smoking rate is still 18%. As we all know, tobacco is the biggest contributor to death in this country, particularly through lung cancer. The Senator stated that the symptoms are sometimes not easy to identify as relating to lung cancer and there is a need for lung cancer national screening. I particularly concur with that. My father died from lung cancer. It was only diagnosed two weeks before he died because he had COPD and the symptoms were very similar. I totally support the Senator's call for lung cancer national screening.

Senator Clonan spoke about the tragic and horrific situation of the abuse that was carried out within St. John Ambulance brigade and called our attention to the fact that, 18 months after recommendations were printed, they have not been expedited or implemented at this point. The Senator is correct. It is an absolute insult to the survivors. The Senator is looking for a debate on the matter. We had a debate on it in this House previously. I did not get to check that with the Clerk of the Seanad but we will come back to the Senator on it. It is my understanding that we had a debate on the matter not long ago but, most certainly, we should call for the recommendations to be implemented.

Senator McGahon welcomed guests from County Louth and also praised Louth football. It is great to see any of our football teams doing well. The Senator also spoke about the need to support young mothers who contract cancer during their maternity leave. There are approximately 60 women a year impacted. The Senator is absolutely correct. We totally support the call for them to have extended maternity leave and we will contact the Minister again. We need the 2004 Act to be amended. We will certainly write directly after this.

Senator Malcolm Byrne spoke about the national drama festival in Athlone. I congratulate Ballyduff, Dalkey and Ballycogley. The festival circuit is an incredible one. We have drama festivals in Rathangan and Kildare and we get to see the very best of amateur drama from around the country. I congratulate Mairéad Broderick, who is the secretary for the national drama festival and lives in Rathangan. What they do for our towns and villages, in terms of opening up the whole world to us, is hugely important.

Senator Malcolm Byrne also called for the development of an arts capital scheme. It is not only for those who entertain us; it is critical for our own well-being and our entertainment. We have an excellent sports capital grant scheme and it would be good to see this extended to the area of arts and theatre. I certainly support that call.