Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh míle maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. I thank the 15 Senators who contributed to the Order of Business. Senator Malcolm Byrne, on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, raised the recognition today of the state of Palestine which was done in tandem with Norway and Spain. I think most people in Ireland welcome this. Other Senators raised the issue also. The position is that we recognise that a two-state solution is the only way forward for the region. At the moment Hamas and the Palestinian Authority are not committed to that and neither is the Israeli Government. Today, the force of the recognition is international pressure on both of these countries to come together and work towards a two-state solution because we will not accept anything less. The international community is behind a two-state solution. It is the only way that stability and safety can be guaranteed. We are all horrified by what is happening at the moment: the food shortages, the blockages, the thousands of people killed in Gaza, the hostages still held there and the appalling acts of sexual violence against women perpetrated by Hamas. It is all horrific and we cannot idly stand by and let any of this go on. It was proper and fitting of Ireland to act in tandem with two other countries and join many others that have recognised the state of Palestine.Let us hope that we can use this position to work constructively towards a lasting peaceful solution in the region. I commend in particular an Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, on the work he has done on this. When he took up the role of Minister for Foreign Affairs, even before 7 October, he took an interest in this region because he knew it was volatile and fragile. He visited the region before this kicked off. He has a deep commitment to the area. I am very glad he is at the helm there. We need an immediate ceasefire. We need an unconditional return of the hostages. We need to work towards a two-state solution. Senator Byrne also raised the issue of the school transport scheme, which Senator O'Loughlin also raised yesterday. We should have a debate because it is happening in many constituencies around the country. The school transport system needs to be robust if we are trying to encourage fewer parents to drive to school and encourage a sustainable community. We need to make sure there is a proper school transport scheme that is accessible to everybody. I definitely support a debate on that. We are all getting queries about it now and will be throughout the summer so it is very fitting.

Senator McGahon raised a very interesting issue about Retailers Against Smuggling, which represents shop owners. The fact that our ports are under-resourced is something we really should look at for a number of reasons. He mentioned how taxpayer revenue impacts the revenue for the shops. We do not know what is contained in the cigarettes that are being smuggled in. There are all sorts of bad things in cigarettes, but particularly in smuggled cigarettes. We have absolutely no control over what is in them. People's health is at risk. I support his call in that regard.

Senator Boyhan raised the issue of the public consultation on Seanad reform. It is a very valid point. We should write a letter from this House to the relevant Minister to ask that the closing date be extended because we are all caught up with elections at the moment. I do not think people who are politically active and politically interested in this issue will be able to give it sufficient time. I would, therefore, support that call. I also welcome the 71 social houses in Chapelizod that opened yesterday. Great progress is being made on social houses. It is not enough, but it is definitely a very good start.

Senator Cassells raised the issue of the impact of smartphones on children. It is great that this voluntary agreement has been entered into. As a parent of two small children, it is something I do worry about for the future. Our understanding of the impact of smart devices on children and their evolving brains is only evolving itself. Therefore, it is right and proper that we have a serious discussion on policy and direction for Government because that empowers parents and school communities to impose these bans. It is only for the best for our children. I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Foley, on that breakthrough today.

Senator Burke raised the issue of respite beds. He called for a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, in the House on the provision of respite beds nationally. That is a very good suggestion. People are living longer and healthier lives. In tandem with that, however, we have to make sure that we have the appropriate resources for people to stay at home for as long as they can. Part of that is providing respite care as well. I would support that.

Senator Craughwell raised the issue of the DAA leasing the Q-Park car park at Dublin Airport. He is correct to say that a lease agreement is a valid form of ownership. Therefore, if a freehold was not allowable, I cannot see why the leasehold would be allowable. It would be proper for the competition authority to look at this further.

Senator Gallagher raised the issue of the VAT rate in the hospitality industry. That was also raised by Senator Maria Byrne who has experience of the hospitality sector. We should have a debate with the Minister for Finance on the upcoming budget. As we know, now is the crucial time when all the negotiations are being done. Before the summer break, we should table a debate regarding the upcoming budget. That is something we will look into.

Senator Keogan raised the issue of the Ombudsman for Children report. I have to say, I was really shocked reading parts of it. The complex needs of children are not being catered for sufficiently in this country. She raised particularly local authority housing for children with disabilities. I am sure all Members have queries from constituents who have children with disabilities. They are in completely inadequate housing. This is putting extra stress and strain on the family. That on top of already having a child with additional needs, which can be very difficult and detrimental to the well-being of the whole family. A debate on this report would be right and proper.

Senator Hoey raised the issue of animal cruelty and particularly cockfighting. I was not aware that there was a revival. I do not think I even want to seek out any information on it because it is just so vile. I commend her on raising the issue. It is something we do actually need to know about and we should get information if this is actually happening. I commend her the Senator on her long history of raising issues regarding animal cruelty. An animal welfare debate certainly should be held at some stage. The Senator has raised it under Commencement matters. That is as far as she can push it personally. Maybe a Private Members' Bill or a debate on animal cruelty would be fitting. Perhaps that is something we could look into and maybe do a cross-party Private Members' Bill. I think the Senator would get a lot of support in the House.

Senator Seery Kearney raised the issue of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022. We are at the same point on this. It is long overdue. We need to move it on now. There is definitely urgency on it. There are myriad reasons it is urgent, but the specific issues the Senator pointed out are very cruel and an additional blow to women. We both sat on that committee. People do not go into surrogacy lightly. It is the last stage in a very painful health journey. To actually have women in such a vulnerable position, even in relationships that might not be working out or that could be abusive, and this status being used as an extra weapon against women is a particular blow to the already very difficult suffering they have gone through. The Minister has moved this on as quickly as possible. However, I really think we should be prioritising this for the next couple of weeks. I hope it will not be unduly delayed in this House. It has gone through the special Oireachtas committee. It has been gone through very thoroughly at the Joint Committee on Health. I would hope that by the time it reaches here, it will not be unduly delayed. I will certainly be speaking to the Leader to make sure we schedule and finish it before the summer break. If we are not finished it, let us sit for an extra week. I think we are all happy to do that because it is such a crucial piece of legislation for surrogacy, but for the other items contained in the Bill as well. It is way overdue. There are a lot of vulnerable situations around the country. We, as responsible legislators, cannot allow it to continue any further. Therefore, anything I can do, I certainly will do. I will be speaking to the Leader on her return to deal with this as a matter of priority.

Senator Maria Byrne raised the €6.8 million fund for the assessment of needs, which was also raised yesterday by Senator Carrigy. It is really welcome. We all know the difficulties in the system, the frustrations people have with the system and the lack of resources families have to get the assessment of needs their children desperately need. That is really welcome.

Senator McGreehan raised the issue of the DART extension to Drogheda. That is really welcome.As somebody living in north County Dublin who will benefit from the extension, and has called for it for a longer number of years, it is a good step forward but we need to make sure there are no more delays in the roll-out. The opening of Dunleer railway station is certainly something that should be looked at. I know there are issues around the reopening of the Navan railway station. Senator Cassells has raised the issue on a number of occasions. Perhaps we can seek a debate on national railway policy and the opening and prioritisation of rail transport right around the country. The population is increasing so if we are to develop this country properly, and sustainably, then we need to create rail lines all across this country. That would be a very good debate to have.

Senator Mullen raised the issue of the recognition of Palestine and I hear his reservations about that. It is a bold move in the middle of a conflict. The Taoiseach outlined very well in his statement, and I listened very carefully to his press conference this morning, that recognition is not being done to punish Israel but push forward the two-state solution because neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority has pushed it forward, nor has Israel nor the current Israeli Government and the illegal settlements that they are standing by pushes the possibility for a two-state solution out even further. Our recognition of the state of Palestine does not in any way condone or reward the attack on Israel, which I absolutely condemn and I commend all the work towards peace done by Ireland. We need to send a clear signal to both parties involved that the situation is intolerable, on both sides, and we must work towards a peaceful solution. We cannot deal with any more death and destruction in this region and the stability of the whole region and, indeed, the rest of the world depends on this happening. So I really think recognition is a positive step forward. We need to consider recognition from a position of supporting peace in the region, not supporting one side over the other. We all condemn Hamas and the attacks, the awful situation of the hostages and the brutal rapes of women and men on that day. It was just horrific but what is going on at the moment in Gaza is horrific. Both sides have strayed a long way from the two-state solution envisaged by Oslo and we need to ensure we get that for everybody's sake. I hope that the Senator's reservations will be eased somewhat over the coming weeks. Recognition is a very brave move, on behalf of this country, but we have done it in tandem with other countries.

Senator Tim Lombard raised a couple of issues concerning the GAA. I commend him on his constant advocacy for GAA supporters. In particular, in recent weeks, he wants the Minister of State to come into the Chamber to discuss the situation with GAAGO and that is something I support. As pointed out by Senator Conway, we give a significant amount of funding to the GAA and it is a significant institution in this country. The Minister of State will be in discussions with the GAA on a variety of issues so it is right and proper that he comes in and hears our concerns about this matter.

Finally, Senator Martin Conway raised the issue of Shannon Airport and the need to route more aviation traffic through Shannon Airport, and take it away from Dublin Airport. As somebody based very close to Dublin Airport and in north County Dublin, I support the suggestion because Dublin Airport has issues in respect of increased capacity being sought. We are a small island so we should be able to distribute air traffic around the country.