Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators for their contributions on the Order of Business. Senator Fitzpatrick started off by raising Leinster House spending, and Senator Boyhan commented on that as well. Senator Boyhan was right in one regard - we all saw the bike shed being built, yet no one, including him, queried its cost. No one imagined what the costs would be and everybody assumed they would be reasonable. It is not wrong to request a bike shelter in Leinster House. Any place of employment should have or request a bike shelter. A decision was made by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission to approve or engage with the OPW on the construction of a bike shelter, but nobody imagined a bike shelter could cost what it cost, and that includes every Member of these Houses who had an opportunity to raise the matter if he or she had concerns. Representatives of the OPW were before the finance committee during the week answering questions on this. Senator Fitzpatrick called for a debate on this matter with the relevant Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell. I will request that.

Senator Fitzpatrick also welcomed the increase in the adaptation grants due to be announced. I certainly welcome that. It is an issue that has been raised in my own party and, I am sure, the Senator's.

The Senator also called for improved funding and free HRT for women in the forthcoming budget. We eagerly await announcements in that regard. Our colleague Senator Maria Byrne also raised this in the House – last week, I believe.

Senator Nikki Bradley requested an update from the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, which I will seek. She asked that he come to the House to address the ongoing issues pertaining to mica. I was in Donegal during the summer and noted mica is definitely a major issue of concern, particularly in the northern half of the county. A former colleague, the late councillor Bernard McGuinness, was at the forefront in initiating the first schemes put in place, which were welcomed by all parties at the time. The former Minister, Deputy Joe McHugh, was involved in pursuing this with the Government. I know there are concerns over the working of a scheme. A start is being made and houses are undergoing changes, including demolition and reconstruction. Drawing down the grants is a slow process but there are now people benefiting from them. It is important to acknowledge that. However, there are certainly concerns in the county and I will ask the relevant Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to come to the House to address them.

Senator Keogan quite rightly talked about human trafficking and the reports on RTÉ and in the papers today on prostitution websites, online sex trading across Ireland and the exploitation of women and girls. They say prostitution is the oldest profession in the world, and obviously people are free to make up their own minds as to what they do with their bodies where they have a choice, but this is a matter of where people do not have a choice. Sex trafficking is horrendous and unfortunately the Internet and all that goes with it have made accessing prostitution perhaps different or easier than it was. I acknowledge the Senator's concerns and points and her raising of this matter.

I disagree with the Senator bringing the issue of surrogacy into this. We had a debate on this in these Houses over recent months and have passed surrogacy legislation, which was supported overwhelmingly by all parties. We know of the love and support of mothers, including in this House, for their surrogate children. Our colleague Senator Mary Seery Kearney has outlined, on behalf of so many parents, the necessity of the rights the new legislation affords to those who love their children who have come into this world via surrogacy.

Senator Paul Gavan raised concerns regarding the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman. The case he mentioned sounds very difficult for the family in question. Where the High Court has made a decision, there should be a methodology for the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman to follow it up and, in the case in question, ensure the family of the late gentleman receives the resources from the pension pot he had paid into.I certainly will request the Minister to engage on that. Perhaps the Senator could put down a Commencement matter and we could start a debate on that process. The Senator also talked about the occupied territories Bill. I will again raise this with the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to see whether he will come into the House to talk on that matter.

Senator Fiona O'Loughlin spoke about the worrying issues for peacekeepers in Lebanon. I note the comments of the Lebanese Prime Minister who has expressed the hope that a ceasefire can be reached soon to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah which has obviously shaken his country. There are fears of a ground invasion. It is important and we also note that there is a debate at the United Nations calling for a 21-day ceasefire across the Israeli-Lebanon border. I am sure the Tánaiste and the Government are keeping under review the safety of our peacekeepers in that part of the world. The Senator also talked about social inclusion week and the groups in County Kildare and elsewhere that do tremendous work in social inclusion.

Senator Lombard raised issues relating to school transport. He has championed that issue over a long number of years. He called for a debate with the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley. We also have to include the Minister for Transport in the provision of buses. There are issues in my constituency with weight limits on bridges, which prohibits larger buses. The Senator spoke about the road network being unsuitable. There are many issues but the Ministers have to take on board the issues and concerns Senator Lombard has raised. I will certainty call for a debate on that.

Senator Ahearn spoke about the changes the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, is advocating bringing in for those losing their jobs. Concurrent with what she is doing and what the Senator commented upon regarding that support relates to those who are suffering from cancer. It is said one in two of us will suffer from cancer in our lifetime. It is important that is taken on board when it comes to those who have to leave their jobs because of ongoing cancer treatment. Senator Ahearn also talked about investment in road infrastructure. It is important that, for major road projects, we keep the momentum up and that we do not save a million or two only to set a project back for five years, which will cost money in the long term. With a growing population, we need improved national infrastructure as well as the necessary investment in public transport, whether that be for the DART, cycle lanes, greenways or whatever that assists in getting people out of their cars.

Senator Maria Byrne talked again about the importance of carers and hoped they will be acknowledged and looked after in next week's budget. We can all agree on that. We had a debate here on this matter some months ago.

Senator Conway raised an interesting issue about including Irish Sign Language as a curriculum subject in the leaving certificate. I certainly support that call. That was also supported by Senator Carrigy. Both Senators also called for supports for coffee shops and small businesses that are the heartbeat of many small towns and urban areas. We certainly hope there can be acknowledgement in next week's budget of the role and importance of these businesses.

Senator Carrigy also expressed best wishes to Ms Carroll and all other SNAs throughout the country for the tremendous work they do. It acknowledges the Government investment over a long number of years to increase the number of SNAs, who do tremendous work to give the best chance to every child. That is an important issue. We wish our SNAs well on SNA appreciation day.

Labhair Senator Ward faoi Ghaelscoil Phádraig agus an tábhacht a bhaineann leis na Gaelscoileanna agus na Gaelcholáistí trasna na tíre. Baineann sé seo ach go háirithe lena dháilcheantar féin, Dún Laoghaire. Cuirim fáilte roimh an nuacht go bhfuil suíomh faighte ag Gaelscoil Phádraig anois, ach teastaíonn dul chun cinn maidir leis an méid atá á lorg ag pobal na scoile, mar shampla, áiseanna agus halla. Tá halla fíor-thábhachtach do scoil ar bith agus aontaím leis an méid sin. Tá suirbhé de dhíth faoi na rudaí atá ag teastáil uaidh phobal Ghaelscoil Phádraig. I agree that the Gaelscoil movement and Gaelcholáistí are very important. There is a demand and it is important that demand be recognised and invested in. There are limitations in some ways in ensuring we have enough teachers, particularly in Gaelcholáistí. Planning to ensure there are sufficient places in our school training system would be advantageous. I certainly support the Senator's call for the necessary works in Gaelscoil Pádraig. For a fuller response, he can put down a Commencement matter on that issue with the Minister and it would be hoped he would get a clear response.