Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The intention is to take Committee and Remaining Stages together. I will not be accepting the amendment.

Senators Craughwell and Lombard raised the issue of "Prime Time" last night. I did not see the full report but I will look back on it. I saw the clips of it and it did not look good. The Minister has indicated that the Department is taking the matter of equine welfare and responsibility for the food chain seriously. The welfare of horses is protected by legislation, placing responsibility on owners and those who have animals in their possession or under their control. The Minister stated that he was taking this matter extremely seriously. The Department commenced an investigation in recent weeks involving the supply of equines for slaughter, with aspects of the ongoing investigation relating to some of the broadcast activity. It will be thoroughly investigated. If there are repercussions, that will follow due process in due course.

Senator Warfield raised the moving on of Cian O'Brien, artistic director of the Project Arts Centre, after 13 years. He gave a wonderful testament to Mr. O'Brien's tenure as artistic director and indeed prior to that. I wish him well in his new roles. Whatever the next role for him may be, I wish him well in it.

Senator Lombard requested a debate with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the EPA report on water quality and the impact of the reduction in milk supply, which we have seen over the last period because of weather-related issues and future plans in the dairy industry. I will request from the Minister, Deputy Charlie McConalogue, that we have that debate.

Senator McGahon talked about spoiled ballots, the stamping of ballots and human error. If it is human error, that is one thing. While I am not suggesting there is any evidence that it is deliberate, I know from talking to people that there were certain polling booths where an inordinately high number of ballot papers were not stamped. I certainly hope none of that is deliberate but if there is a high level in any one particular booth, there have to be repercussions for those working in that polling booth, notwithstanding the long hours and long day that they have. Senator McGahon also congratulated all the councillors elected in Louth, as I congratulated all the councillors elected across the country yesterday, and also those who were not successful or may have lost out. Putting their name before the people is a very public job interview. Not everyone can be successful. If they were, we would not have a democracy. Democracy is about picking the best, your favourites or indeed the most local. I acknowledge that.

Senator Tom Clonan talked about the Israel Defense Forces in Rafah, giving a graphic account of the munitions, bombs and incendiary weapons that are being used, and the impact that is having on children, which is obviously horrific. I will request the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to come to the House to have a further discussion or briefing about the ongoing travesty in Gaza. Senator Aisling Dolan spoke of the 50-bed community nursing home that is moving forward today with the turning of the sod. I acknowledge her and other representatives' advocacy in this House and in other meetings and welcome the fact that the Minister of State, Deputy Mary Butler, will be there to turn the sod. It is great to see progress on any capital development anywhere in the country. It is always a good-news story.

Senator Emer Currie spoke of the shortage of class places for children with additional needs and called for an overhaul of the system or the model. I will request that the Minister of State with responsibility for special education, Deputy Naughton, comes to the House to address that matter. She is new in the role, and I am sure she would like to set out her vision and her thoughts on the matter.

Senator Maria Byrne congratulated John Moran on being elected as the Mayor of Limerick city and county - not just city, which is important to acknowledge. The majority if not all, of the candidates were city-based, but it was for the city and county. I wish him well. It is important for Limerick, important for the mid-west and important as a template for future referendums or plebiscites that might take place in other cities or counties as regards going down the route of possibly considering directly elected mayors of their cities and counties.

The Senator also spoke about Shannon Airport together with Ireland West Airport Knock, my airport of choice if I ever go out, if it is suitable. It is a wonderful airport to travel out of. If we are serious about balanced regional development, we cannot all be looking at Dublin. While there may be a need for expansion in the number of flights in Dublin, there are perfect examples of additional resources that need to be put into Shannon, Cork and Ireland West Airport Knock as well.