Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Fitzpatrick began the Order of Business by talking about the substantial allocation on housing, and particularly highlighted the help-to-buy scheme and the extraordinary purchasing by first-time buyers. The Senator also talked about the LDA. The LDA is really coming into its own now. It took time to gather information before being able to carry out works. As I come in here every morning, I pass the Donore Avenue site where groundworks are going on. Over 500 homes will be started there. We see the fruits now of all of the groundwork of the LDA over the past couple of years. The housing committee did a lot of work around that. I acknowledge Senator Boyhan's work and all of our work on that. It is fantastic to see it. Senator Fitzpatrick amplified that. It is fantastic.

The Senator also mentioned the free HRT initiative, which will be lead to fantastic savings for those women who require HRT. A newspaper article this morning makes the point that not every women needs HRT. This scheme should not be seen as giving the imprimatur to the idea that every woman should go on HRT. Many women do not need to do so. Also, I note that there is still a cost to GPs and pharmacists. That said, an annual saving of over €1,000 is fantastic.

Senator Fitzpatrick, like others, spoke about the incredible work of our peacekeeping forces, particularly in Lebanon, and reflected how we think of them. A long time ago, I was involved in supporting their families, through counselling, from the Curragh. I am conscious of the sacrifices made by families at home who are worried about their loved ones. I am sure they are worried when they see the news and watch the headlines. The Cathaoirleach has been asked to write a letter - it is important - to express our thoughts. I think we would all concur on that. I will raise that with the Leader also.

Senator Conway raised the issue of wastewater, which was also raised by Senator Dooley. Both of them expressed their extreme frustration at the delays but also mentioned the allocation in the budget and the Minister's drive to ensure that Irish Water is delivering. Senator Conway has raised the matter today, but Senator Cummins has also been raising within the housing committee and here in the Seanad for a number of years the delays in the provision of housing caused by the lack of water infrastructure in rural areas. Those of us in urban areas are dealing with really antiquated water pipes, sewerage, etc. Individual homeowners are being caught for the cost of their replacement where Irish Water is slow to act. Having a debate on that is very important. I will raise it immediately with the Leader to ensure we facilitate it. We need to know what the plans are and when the money set aside will be delivered.

Senator Mullen raised the universities and noted that there has been a decline. It is heard with great sadness. At my parliamentary party's think-in, it was mentioned that our universities are slipping out of the first 100 and the top 50. We have seen that this is happening and it is important that we invest as a consequence. The Taoiseach, as the then Minister, and the current Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, have a vision and are determined. They are sensitive to the fact that we have research going on in the universities and we want to make sure the intellectual property of that stays in Ireland and is owned by Ireland. That is crucial to our defence as a nation and our support as a nation. I completely concur and agree that we need a debate. We need to know what the supplementary budget will be and how that will manifest. I do not want to pre-empt what will be in that, but it is reasonable that we have the Minister in to discuss such matters and that we follow through on that.

Senator Lombard and others raised concern about what is going on in the Middle East. Certainly, it is frightening. As we approach the anniversary of the horrifying incidents and the sheer massacre that occurred on 7 October 2023, we think of those who are held hostage. Since then, there has been a slaughter of the innocents. There have been children murdered, in my view, in a genocide that has been absolutely and utterly horrific. Senator Lombard tenderly pointed to the fact that our children are looking at this. Our children are identifying with children of their own age who are being maimed and slaughtered and seeing how horrific that is.

Senator Boyhan raised the value of hospitality and mentioned that councillors and Members of this House work in and come from the hospitality sector. The Minister, Deputy Peter Burke, put in a valiant effort, as I knew he was going to. I believe the 9% VAT rate is the correct rate. The current system is incorrect for the hospitality sector. As Senators, we need to press that home in representing the people and organisations that write to us, including the nominating bodies and our own councillors who are very much highlighting that to all of us. The Senator is absolutely correct. There is a plan to support businesses, but it seems ridiculous that we are taking money from them with one hand, only to give it back to them with another hand. There needs to be a complete overall of the VAT rate for hospitality and it should not be in competition with what we are spending in social protection or elsewhere. It should be taken out of that debate altogether. I think they were part of the balancing that goes on. The Minister has a clear vision and clear determination. I thank the Senator for acknowledging that. It is important. It would be productive for us to hear what the Minister has to say. I will absolutely support that.

Senator Maria Byrne, who is always a champion for Limerick, mentioned that the Limerick Civic Trust has received the Limerick person of the month award. That is fantastic. Organisations all over the country are preserving our heritage and ensuring our Georgian history is preserved and restored for people to enjoy. I think of the museum on Henrietta Street, which is just a fabulous step into the past and what it looked like. Our heritage and the support of the arts that can occur within that is always fantastic. We congratulate the Limerick Civic Trust.