Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 15 Senators who contributed on the Order of Business. Senator O'Loughlin, on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, was first and she spoke about Bruce Springsteen and his connections with Rathangan. I was suffering from major FOMO over the weekend looking at absolutely everyone I know, including my husband, going to the Bruce Springsteen concert while I was at home. Between that and Girls Aloud, I think I was the only person in the country who did not go to a concert at the weekend. I am in favour of supporting and recognising our diaspora, especially the ones who have achieved greatness like Bruce Springsteen, and the museum in Rathangan is something to be supported. I commend Senator O'Loughlin on her work in this regard.

The Senator also mentioned the parents' councils in 12 schools in south Kildare that have come together in relation to smartphones. As a parent, this issue is on my mind as my children are getting older. It is something that all areas should take a look at and we should encourage it. The Minister for Education has said she would like to pursue it with schools. I commend the schools involved in south Kildare.

Senator Conway raised the issue of water safety, which is really important, and made a crucial point about it being part of the education system. I was struck by something a number of weeks ago when tragedy was averted in Dún Laoghaire during one of the storms. A girl was swept from the pier but because she had received water safety training, she lay back and went into the starfish position and survived, which was a complete miracle. Everybody should have access to water safety education, especially as we are an island nation.

Senator Clonan raised the issue of scoliosis surgery and urology waiting lists. As I have said in this House and outside it, these children have been, and continue to be, failed by the State. I support the Senator's call for the Minister for Health to come to the Chamber to provide an update on the new national children's hospital because we would all like to know what is going on there. However, he is incorrect when he says the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, does not come into this Chamber; he comes in quite a bit.

Senator O'Hara raised the issue of the Sinn Féin finance Minister in the North rejecting climate change measures. I am not surprised by this. The Senator pointed out that it has been 108 days since the Executive returned but there is still no programme for government. We listened for a number of years to Sinn Féin representatives saying that they wanted to get back to work and that they were ready, willing and able but there seems to have been very little done since the Assembly was re-established, which is very disappointing.The Housing Commission report was raised by Senator Wall. We should perhaps have some statements on housing in this House because a lot of progress has been made. I live in north County Dublin, where there is ample construction going on but there are different issues. We have exceeded targets but perhaps the targets need to be higher. I think the Minister said he is always willing to go high - the targets are not the top point; he wants to go beyond them. I support a debate on housing. Senator Boyhan mentioned Sir Anthony O'Reilly and the amazing work he did. I was sad to hear of his passing. His mother was from Balbriggan and I know his family there. What he did for the agri-food industry was remarkable. When Hollywood stars say their favourite food product is Kerrygold, you can say he did something very good for this country. I support Senator Boyhan's call for statements on the shared island initiative. We should also send our sympathies from this House to the family of Sir Anthony O'Reilly.

Senator Ahearn raised the issue of modular housing and Senator Keogan raised a similar issue directly after that. Both Senators raised their frustration with the lack of consultation. They both said they support a humane approach. I think Senator Ahearn travelled to Ukraine. He knows the desperate situation facing the people there and what has driven them to this country. I contend that many of the other asylum seekers in the country are fleeing awful, brutal circumstances as well. It is not good enough that people are in tents; nobody supports that. The Government is doing the best it can in an extreme emergency situation. It has been an emergency for two years now. It was completely unprecedented. These numbers have never been seen before in the country. We must do our best to provide a humane solution. Violence and attacking people on sites where modular homes are going in cannot be excused. Consultation needs to happen with communities but for some people, no matter how much consultation there is, they will object to it, resorting to violence and burning down hotels and other awful acts of vandalism which can never be stood over. Senator Gallagher raised the visit of the President to Glaslough in County Monaghan last week. I am fortunate to have visited Glaslough. It was not a recent visit but I would like to get there over the summer. Senator Maria Byrne raised the 183 affordable homes being built in Mungret. It is a fantastic number. We are seeing those kinds of numbers replicated across the country. The people who are able to access those affordable homes are delighted, from those I have been dealing with.

Scooter regulations were long overdue. We are all aware of stories of people being injured on scooters or run over by these scooters. It is great but enforcement needs to happen. When we see people on scooters on footpaths, we as citizens need to remind them that is not on anymore. Senator Mullen raised a valid point about the nature advisory commission. A Commencement matter debate would be a suitable way of bringing that forward. It is an important point. Senator Davitt raised Cusack Park in Mullingar. It is a fine venue. I have been there. I do not know why it has been overlooked by the GAA. Perhaps it can be taken up with the Oireachtas committee that deals with sport. Senator Dolan referred to the increased cost of business grant and the looming deadline. A letter from this House to the Minister for housing and local government to ask local authorities to send a notification and notice, as she advised, is a sensible suggestion.

Senator Currie raised an interesting point. It is something I would like to get more information about.I suggest that a Commencement matter or a letter to the Minister would move this point along.

I express my congratulations to Senator Carrigy. Coming from Waterford, I know what it is like to be the underdog and to lose. It is always a great time when you actually have a victory. On the fund he mentioned, we need to do more for the parents of children with additional needs. It is not on. He made a really good suggestion.