Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Members who contributed to the Order of Business today.

First, Senator Fiona O'Loughlin expressed her sympathy to the family of the young seven-year-old girl who is reported to have had a serious eye injury following a vape exploding in a bonfire and has reissued her concern that people should be safe come bonfire season and Halloween and be mindful of not bringing illegal fireworks over the border.

She also raised issues around housing for single people, which I think was a really important point. The Senator has raised previously the fact single people are paying all the bills themselves.. Getting on the property ladder is difficult at the best of times but doing it alone is even more difficult. As we know, often on local authority housing lists, families with children are prioritised where there is limited access to housing. It is something we need to have policy direction on and try to do something more for people who clearly find it more difficult to meet all of the outgoings a household will have.

The Senator also raised the issue of sudden death with epilepsy, as did Senators Mark Wall and Maria Byrne. There is an awareness campaign currently ongoing this week and I listened to some contributions on radio this morning so it is very important to put that on the record here today. The Senator also raised concerns around nitrous oxide canisters and the fact local authorities are currently not permitted to take them in as local waste and something needs to be done about that.

Senator Dolan paid a lovely tribute to former Councillor John Naughten on his very sad passing, as did many other Senators here today. I know Senator Murphy was local to John in the constituency. I want to express my own heartfelt and deepest sympathies to our colleague Denis in the other House, to John's wife, Breda and all of his family on his really tragic passing. We were all deeply shocked to hear of John's passing; it was not expected. We express our deepest sympathies to his Fine Gael family, to his colleagues on the council and to the wider community and we are thinking of all of them at this very difficult time. I thank both Senators for raising it this morning. I know they had personal relationships with John and it is a difficult time for them as colleagues.

Senator Rónán Mullen has expressed his opposition to the Order of Business. I note the Senator's comments on the hate crimes Bill and the same with Senator Sharon Keogan as well who has also opposed the Order of Business on the motion before the House on identify cards for EU citizens.I acknowledge the opposition to finishing the Bill today. I have received emails from other colleagues as well on this. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, is very keen to progress and finish the Bill. We are all acutely aware that we may not be here for much longer, not that I know anything more than anyone here does. It is part of my responsibility as Leader of the House to bring Government business through the House. We began the debate on the hate crime legislation well over a year ago. It was this House that put a pause on that legislation. The Minister is to be commended on listening to Senators in terms of the hate speech element of the Bill, which we are all very aware is now being removed from the Bill. That is a significant amendment to the Bill from the Government side and from the Minister. I was here for the very extensive Second Stage debate. I have made my own views known in terms of the definitions in the Bill and the gender issue. My views remain as per the Second Stage debate. I do not think I can put it any clearer than that. We will have an opportunity to debate that later today. I do not think the Minister is minded to make changes on that aspect. I acknowledge, however, the significant change on the hate speech element, which was, from my memory of the Second Stage debate, the key issue that was being expressed by Members across the House, both Government and Opposition. That is to be welcomed. That is the work of the Seanad in making those changes to that Bill. I think there is broad support for hate crime legislation and I have expressed my own support for such legislation. There is an eagerness on the part of Government and the Minister to see that element of the Bill through, and I can understand that. I acknowledge and respect the views of Members in terms of the Order of Business and how it is proceeding, but I also acknowledge the significant changes that will be brought through later today.

Senator Mullen also raised concerns regarding the resignation of former Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile. I do not propose to say a huge amount on the matter. Of course, it is of concern to the House that the full facts were not given to Members at that time. The picture painted at the time was that the resignation was solely on the basis on mental health concerns. In that respect, we do not know the full story. Certainly, where mental health is concerned, it is extremely serious and we obviously need to be mindful of that. I think there was a misleading of the House as to the real reason behind the resignation, or certainly a significant part of it. That is being dealt with by Members in this House and the other House. It is important that all facts are given to the House in those circumstances. Each Member here is a representative of the people and it is a privilege to serve in this House. It is an unfortunate set of events that I hope we do not ever see repeated in this House. Transparency and accountability are hugely important when people put out a statement, and it should not mislead by omission, which is the charge being laid.

Senator Ardagh made an excellent contribution to the House about the needs of children and access to education for special education, and about her son, Darragh, whom she has spoken about previously. Her contribution was powerful. The fact her son is not able to proceed to primary education while his twin brother Seán is can only be hugely distressing for a parent. Obviously, we are all friends and colleagues of Senator Ardagh. I want to put on the record today my support for her and her husband and family in trying to secure that education. It should not be the battle that it is. It is disgraceful that it is a battle. Darragh should be able to start school now when the family want him to start school. I do not know the ins and outs of the situation of the school in Rathgar and why that is not proceeding, but I hope the situation can be resolved. Ultimately, it is about making sure that Darragh has access to the education he deserves and is entitled to under our Constitution.

Senator Seery Kearney spoke in support of Senator Ardagh. She also asked for support for the inclusion of a very small cohort of homeowners in the apartment defects scheme that is being put together under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage where an apartment block is attached to an individual dwelling. There cannot be too many of them, as the Senator outlined, but where those houses are affected, she has asked that they be included. That seems entirely reasonable to me from what the Senator said.

Senator Keogan opposed the Order of Business, which I have dealt with. She also raised the issue of the Child Law Project, funding for which is coming to an end. She asked that it be looked at because it is a fantastic project that is doing great work in terms of child protection and children's issues, and that it be funded long term.

Senator Malcolm Byrne expressed his support for Senator Martin's Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill. He also raised concerns about the challenges affecting rapidly growing areas of population in terms of school places and access to amenities and services. There are acute challenges in certain parts of the country, and he specifically mentioned Arklow.

Senator McGahon raised issues about the flood protection insurance gap for homes in flood areas with regard to his own County Louth. There are other areas in the country as well - the Senator mentioned Dublin and Cork - where those homes cannot get insured. Something will have to be done because those home are in a precarious situation every year and it is quite distressing for those homeowners.

Senator Wall raised issues with student accommodation in University College Cork from which his colleague, Senator Hoey, has students visiting Leinster House today. He also spoke about sudden unexplained death with regard to epilepsy.

Senator Martin made a very impassioned speech about Gaza and the need to continuously keep this issue on the agenda in this House and not become desensitised. I completely agree with the Senator's remarks. The Israeli Prime Minister is out of control with his warmongering and flagrant breaches of international law. If the Israeli Government can continue to breach international law, what incentive is there for other countries to abide by the rules we are all supposed to have signed up to and abide by? On the US intervention, we heard today about the leaked letter that states they will withdraw or reduce military support if aid is not permitted into Gaza, but they are giving 30 days to comply with the letter, which we know brings us beyond the election date in the States. A lot hangs in the balance in terms of that outcome. The loss of life and children in Gaza is just unimaginable. Words really do not cut it at this stage in terms of describing the atrocities and horrors on the ground there, particularly in northern Gaza where aid has been prevented from getting in for quite some time.

Senator McGreehan spoke about the Irish horticultural sector, as did Senator Murphy. She also raised issues about Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, as did Senator Cassells, who spoke very passionately about the impact. Had Navan hospital closed, what would the situation be in Drogheda today? It does not bear thinking about. Clearly, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital is under pressure. There are challenges in many hospitals, but some tend to pop up more than others. There has clearly been a lot of investment in healthcare. We have had a record health budget. In fairness to the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, he has secured additional health funding every year he has been in office. Senator Cassells is right to credit him with making sure the emergency department in Navan stayed open because, had that closed, clearly the only place to go then was Drogheda, which would have put extra pressure on that hospital. It shows that Government and politicians, of course, need to take the advice from experts or people who are working on the front line in those fields, but ultimately, politicians have to make the decision as well and listen to people on the ground. In that case, keeping the emergency department open was a job well done. The evidence is there today to show it was the right call.

Senator Maria Byrne expressed her condolences, as did many others, on the passing ofJohn Naughten. She spoke about the sudden unexplained death issue as well and expressed sympathies for the rugby family in Limerick.

Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about Dublin Bus and the number 11 bus service that has been removed from the northside. She also welcomed the pilot scheme that has been put in place for 20 weeks to have private security personnel on some Dublin Bus routes, which had been a call from the Fianna Fáil Dublin group for many months.

Senator Carrigy spoke about school transport and, obviously, the passing of John Naughten. He also spoke about the Kashmir region. I am not familiar with the ins and outs of that conflict, but it might be worth tabling a Commencement matter because it gives another opportunity to get it on the record The Senator will get the Government position and Department of Foreign Affairs position back through that mechanism.

As I said, Senator Cassells spoke very passionately about Navan hospital, as he has often done.

Senator Kyne raised issues regarding Dyslexia Ireland and the request that extra time be given to children with dyslexia. It is an entirely reasonable request. I do not see how it would be an unfair advantage given it is a clear disadvantage to have dyslexia in the first place in sitting the State examinations as they are currently constituted.

Senator Murphy spoke about the sad passing of John Naughten. He also raised the issue of the horticultural sector. His main contribution today was about the Western Development Commission and the huge work it does. I was pleased to meet Mr. Allan Mulrooney and his team, who are in Leinster House today to brief Members on the invaluable work they do. They span and work in the west and north west, our most disadvantaged region. They do very important work and it is important they are funded and that there are interactions, not just with us in the Oireachtas but with the regional assembly and local authorities in the region, and that we continue to support them in the fantastic work they do. I commend Mr. Mulrooney and the team there on all their work and the publication of their most recent report, which the Senator has in the Chamber today.