Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Members who contributed to the Order of Business on our first day back. I extend a warm welcome to our good friends from the British Embassy, Jeremy Wilmshurst and his colleague, Ellen O'Donoghue Oddy. They are most welcome to the Visitors Gallery.

Senator Fiona O'Loughlin expressed her deepest sympathies, which I echo on behalf of the House, to the family and community of Robert Deegan, who lost his life fighting on the front line in Ukraine. He was a former Army Ranger in the Irish Defence Forces and came from a very strong military background and a military family. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and community at this very difficult time.

The Senator also acknowledged the fantastic event that was the National Ploughing Championships last week, which was a great success. She also drew attention, as she had done before the summer recess, to the illegal encampments at the Curragh and the damage that has been done. She offered her best wishes to the South Kildare Schools Smartphone Alliance, in which 15 schools and many parents have joined up to ban smartphone use by younger children.

Senator Joe O'Reilly was the first to speak about the ongoing situation in Gaza and the atrocities being committed by the Israeli Government, predominantly against women, children and innocent civilians, as well as the escalating tensions in the West Bank and Lebanon. Of course, our thoughts are also with the members of the Irish Defence Forces serving with UNIFIL in Lebanon and their families and communities here, who are very concerned. We know the Department of Defence, the Tánaiste and the Government are continually reviewing the situation on the ground.

Senator Victor Boyhan expressed sympathy to the families of former councillors Bermingham and Hendy. I echo the comments of the Cathaoirleach in regard to both public representatives, who gave great service to their communities in their time on Cork City Council and Kildare County Council, respectively.

The Senator requested a debate on the residential zoned land tax, a matter that is being considered by the Government. We have heard comments from the Minister for Finance, Deputy Chambers, the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach, who have all acknowledged that actively farmed land needs to be dealt with separately and was never intended to be subject to the residential zoned land tax. This is with the Government and is being actively worked on and considered. I have no doubt a resolution will be forthcoming. The Senator made the point that there is no full account nationally of what land is zoned in a particular way. The point has been made by the Government to the Senator that it is a matter for local government and the local authorities.

Senator Marie Sherlock spoke about the situation in Gaza and Lebanon. I echo her remarks. We are all watching in horror at what is happening there and how quickly things have escalated in the region, particularly between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

I acknowledge the Senator’s remarks in regard to bogus self-employment. I do not think it is a case of the Government not wanting to deal with it. We have had quite a packed legislative agenda and the Senator will see from our schedule for this week that we will be busy dealing with other matters. It is certainly on the Government agenda to deal with. I take on board the Senator's comments in regard to the case that was dealt with in the courts.

Senator Frances Black asked for an update on the Occupied Territories Bill. As the Senator is aware in regard to the ICJ ruling, the Attorney General is preparing advice for the Government and the EU has also sought legal advice on that matter. It is being actively looked at and considered and, hopefully, we will have information on that shortly.

Senator Paul Gavan raised issues in regard to homelessness. I do not think any one party has a monopoly on wanting to end homelessness.Nobody is happy with the homelessness numbers. The Government's plan on housing has seen billions of euro put into funding and while numbers are going in the right direction, it is a big ship to turn. There has been an undersupply for many years. However, the numbers of commencements, planning improvements and homes being delivered are all going in the right direction. It is worth acknowledging that each week, many people are getting their homes and the Government has made delivering housing the top priority. The work will continue.

Senator Gavan raised issues around University Hospital Limerick, as did Senators Dooley and Conway. I will request a debate with the Minister for Health on that particular issue. That concern has been well flagged in this Chamber. Hardly a week goes by in which University Hospital Limerick is not raised by at least one Member. That is across the House by all parties. There has been significant investment in the hospital. The issues there have been going on for a number of years and there also are serious challenges with management. While there are a lot of issues to be resolved there, to lay everything at the door of the Minister for Health is not a fair assessment. The Minister has been very hands-on when dealing with University Hospital Limerick and it has received significant funding from this Government. The management on site has a job of work to do to get the house in order. I take on board Senator Dooley’s remarks regarding Aoife Johnston and the report that came out. It highlights serious concerns and issues with management in the hospital that need to be dealt with. If we are serious about dealing with the issues in the hospital, all the problems associated with why there are challenges there need to be addressed in their entirety.

Senator Keogan raised issues around the SPHE programme and the depiction of an Irish family. The Senator laid out the characteristics of what is considered typically Irish, if I may put it that way, in terms of backing the GAA and enjoying Irish music. I imagine we are all saying "tick, tick, tick” in terms of liking those things. I do not see any difficulty with them; we should never be ashamed of our heritage or culture and the things which make us who we are.