Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for their best wishes and for their contributions. Senator O'Loughlin rightly spoke about the victims of recent sexual attacks and Bláthnaid Raleigh and Natasha O'Brien giving up their anonymity. Natasha O'Brien is asking people to call out their peers and call out violence against women. This is an important message.

Senator O'Loughlin also spoke about the Defence Forces and regretted that Dublin Pride withdrew the invite to take part in the parade from members of the Defence Forces. It is difficult when a whole profession is tarnished with the one brush, whether it be the Defence Forces, the Garda, teachers, politicians or priests. Senator Craughwell also spoke about this. Perpetrators of crimes are individuals and it is important that a process is followed and people have confidence that the process is followed. Whatever change needs to be made can be made in these Houses. It is important that we do not tarnish a whole profession in these very serious issues. Sexual violence is horrendous. It is also horrendous to be wrongly accused of something such as sexual violence. It is very difficult. It is important that people have confidence in the processes being followed through and that we get justice for all victims.

Senator O'Loughlin also spoke about illegal encampments in the Curragh. She has raised this on numerous occasions. It is a matter for the local authority.I know the Senator has raised the matter in her role as an Oireachtas Member. I do not have a solution. It is an issue in different parts of the country and Galway is no exception.

Senator Ahearn spoke about Clonmel Childcare withdrawing from core funding and increasing its childcare costs. That is regrettable because it will be the parents who have to try to find that extra money to ensure their children can stay in childcare. The Government has been clear in trying to reduce the costs of childcare and that is why over the past two budgets we have reduced the costs by 25%. Of course, that is within the core funding system and in this case Clonmel Childcare has moved out of it. The Senator has asked for a debate on this matter. We know businesses have been under pressure for some time. That is why the Government has put in a range of supports to assist businesses to cope, whether it be with the cost of energy, rates or overall running costs. The situation raised by the Senator is regrettable and we certainly hope it does not become a trend. Childcare is hugely important in allowing parents to go out there and work. We also know the difficulties there can be to get childcare places. It is important we have the maximum number of providers possible who are providing a quality service that parents can afford.

Senator Craughwell referred to historical investigations and the gagging of the Defence Forces. I have touched on that issue. Senator Craughwell will have an opportunity this week to discuss it on Committee Stage of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024 and raise the matter with the Tánaiste, who I presume will be here to deal with the Bill. The Senator also talked about Rescue 111 and the brave officers O'Flaherty, Mooney, Byrne and Baker.

Senators Gavan and Boyhan wished Deputies Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall well. I, too, wish them well. I know Deputy Shortall better than Deputy Murphy through her work on the health committee. She is a very strong advocate and excellent attendee and questioner who does not hold back in holding officials, and indeed Ministers, to account. I wish herself and Deputy Murphy well in their retirements in the coming months.

Senator Gavan also raised the issue of University Hospital Limerick, as he has on numerous occasions. I am not sure exactly why there would be late discharges. I would have thought if you are managing a hospital you try to discharge people as early in the day as possible to free up beds and get them ready for the next person coming in. I am not sure why there are late night discharges. I suggest that is a management issue to try to co-ordinate discharges better. I certainly hope people are not being rushed out if they are not well enough, but I am not sure whether that was suggested. It is important that they are moved on to places like community nursing homes or step-down facilities at an appropriate time and when they are fit to do so. The Senator also talked about the ongoing investment and made the point that it is too late. Any investment is welcome and we can only progress from where we are now. The level of investment that has been made is certainly welcome. Construction is under way at the moment and I look forward to those new beds being opened as well as the beds planned thereafter. There is certainly a need for ongoing investment across our health services.

Senator Dooley talked about the tragic case of an individual who died at the Cliffs of Moher. It took an hour for an ambulance to arrive at the scene and clearly that is not good enough. In the context of the National Ambulance Service, the Government has put a lot of investment, as was rightly said, into paramedic training, the ambulance fleet and additional ambulance bases. The west of Ireland has had the lowest response times, which is not good enough. In my own area, there is a new base in Tuam and another in Belmullet in County Mayo. It is important that we have a debate on that issue and I will certainly raise it with the Minister as well.

Senator Dooley also talked about the moving around of Ukrainian refugees. They are not refugees anymore; they are members of a community in most cases. If they have been there for a number of years, they are part of the fabric of a community, whether they have kids going to school or are working in the community. They give back to their local community and get involved in different things such as Tidy Towns and societies or clubs. It is regrettable that their lives are being uprooted and moved elsewhere in the county. It is not good enough.I know we have had other calls in this House for a debate on this matter. I will certainly put that to the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman as well.

Senator Boyhan referred to an invitation to the Taoiseach. I know Taoisigh come into the House at different times. I will certainly raise that with the Taoiseach as well. The Senator also spoke about how we elect the Cathaoirleach of the House. I assume he is not suggesting that we do not have quality Cathaoirligh and Leas-Chathaoirligh in this House.