Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators for their contributions today. Senators O'Loughlin and McCarthy spoke about the Ukraine war. We will have a minute's silence tomorrow after the Order of Business to mark the third anniversary of the war. I urge Members to be in attendance. I will bring forward the larger point on a debate with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence on what is an important issue.

The €6 million in funding for the just transition was mentioned. I believe Kildare did quite well out of that funding, with some €1.9 million in total. The aim of that funding is to rebalance employment opportunities.

A debate on eating disorders was also sought, and I will ask for that in the future. It is possibly linked to mental health issues and is a real issue for many people who are suffering.

Senator Joe O'Reilly spoke about the importance of the St. Patrick's Day visits to showcase all that is positive. He asked that the Minister of State, Neale Richmond, who has responsibility for the diaspora and international development, comes to the House. I will try to arrange that debate. It is an important issue in the run-up to St. Patrick's Day.

Senator Malcolm Noonan spoke about craft practitioners. I am not fully aware of the issue at stake. Perhaps he could request a Commencement debate on the topic. I will raise the issue with the Minister, Peter Burke.

Senator Eileen Flynn spoke about the recognition of Travellers as an ethnic minority. Legislation to that effect was passed by the Houses in 2017. She called for the continuation of the special committee on Travellers and Travellers' rights. I will raise the matter with the Tánaiste and leader of our party. I am not sure when the committees will be established. There have been a number of calls relating to disability, drugs and Traveller rights. I will ask for the Senator's request to be included. I commend her work on the issue, as well as that of former Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, who did a lot of work as Vice Chair of the committee, and all of the members who participated.

Senator Costello spoke about the Tallaght parade returning, and I wish all involved well in their endeavours on St. Patrick's Day. It is important the work of volunteers, sports clubs, local authorities and everyone involved in the St. Patrick's Day parade in the community is acknowledged.I hope the sun shines, there is a good crowd and people appreciate their local community, whether it be in Tallaght or elsewhere.

Senator Mark Duffy spoke about the challenges of the housing crisis in Mayo. That is replicated across the country. He made very important points about the county development plans, local area plans, the Office of the Planning Regulator, the Minister and zoning decisions being overruled. As I understand, the Senator has put down a Commencement matter. I urge him to continue to put down that Commencement matter - maybe the Cathaoirleach's office might look favourably on it - and to raise the matter directly with the Minister. It is a specific issue as regards the Ballina town plan but it is replicated in other areas. I have come across it in Galway and other areas. The Office of the Planning Regulator was set up for a specific reason in the context of previous planning tribunals, but I know the question has been raised on numerous occasions as to whether it is in tune with what is needed in terms of our local area plans and the zoning of land.

Senator Craughwell talked about experts on defence, and he has pedigree as one, as do Senator Clonan and others. Senator Craughwell talked about the triple lock and neutrality, as did Senators Clonan and Higgins. The Minister and the Government are examining options and proposals. Some would say time and world events have overtaken the triple lock; I know Senator Craughwell would disagree respectfully. I will ask the Minister to come in at the earliest opportunity to discuss these things. I am not sure exactly when a Bill would be brought to Cabinet on this but I will certainly ask the Minister. The Senator suggested increasing the minimum number that could be deployed as an alternative or as a possibility. I will certainly raise that.

Senators Ollie Crowe and Sarah O'Reilly talked about broadband access. This is a hot topic across the country. In Galway County Council yesterday, the issue that arose among councillors was broadband access following Storm Éowyn. We will have an opportunity tomorrow to discuss the fallout of Storm Éowyn and to look to the future. The Minister, James Browne, as I understand, will be in tomorrow. I understand that responsibility for communications will transfer from one Department to the Department of the Minister, Patrick O'Donovan, in the near future. I will ask for a debate with the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, on this matter. I know he recently met with Eir and broadband operators to discuss the issues and their plans for the future. It is certainly a very important issue.

Senators Manus Boyle and Noel O'Donovan raised issues of flooding. Flooding can be so traumatic for communities. They feel helpless. The power of water, whether it be in a town or elsewhere, coming down at them is very difficult and traumatic. On the specific issues, if the Senators want to put down a Commencement matter on specific updates on their local towns, whether it be Killybegs or Ballinascarty, they could do that. We will request an overall debate with the Minister of State, Kevin Boxer Moran, as well regarding flooding and Government responses to it.

Senator Pat Casey spoke about a newspaper article written by Fionnán Sheahan in which "a government source" is reported. I am not sure who the Government source is. The Senator would have to ask the author who that Government source was. I do not believe it was any senior Minister who said that. National policy, as Senator Duffy talked about, as well as the figures and the OPR, determines the levels and amount of land that can be zoned. In the past, there were concerns of overzoning of land. That was changed and tightened up by previous governments. The Office of the Planning Regulator has a role now, together with the national planning framework, which determines the total number of homes that are allowed within different parts of the country. That is broken down then to the local area plans. There may be a case for reviewing that and certainly for upping the figures, and I know the Tánaiste has mentioned that, but I cannot comment as to who or at what level that Government source was. Senator Casey would have to ask the author of the article. Senator Flaherty requested that the Minister for housing come to the House to discuss positive numbers in regard to the Croí Cónaithe scheme. He called for a debate on housing as soon as possible in order that the Minister, Deputy Browne, can give an update on his priorities as a new Minister, taking on board, of course, the programme for Government.

Senator Cathal Byrne raised a specific issue regarding bus services in Enniscorthy and called for a designated town service. Fianna Fáil will put forward a motion on transport during Private Members' business tomorrow, which might provide an opportunity for the Senator to raise that matter with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. If not, the Senator can put it forward as a Commencement matter.

Senator Comyn spoke about a second railway station for Drogheda. Again, she might make that case tomorrow during the Private Members' business motion put forward by her party. If not, she might consider raising it on the Commencement debate. Drogheda is one of Ireland's largest towns and many people have advocated for it to have city status. I am sure the Senator will continue that fight, as well as for its inclusion under the fairer fares scheme, in the House.

Senator Keogan requested that the Minister for the arts come to the House. I will draw his attention to the two issues she raised, of which I was not aware. It is important we have free speech and that a publicly funded space is available for all sides. That is a fair assessment of the issues. I certainly will draw the Minister's attention to them.

Senator Murphy O'Mahony requested a debate on disability issues. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, to come to the House. A number of Senators have asked in recent weeks for a debate on the challenges for families and the pressures they are under. People come to our offices on behalf of their loved ones, whether small children or adult children, because they are worried about their future. Those children could be in their 50s or 60s. It is a real issue. I will request that the Minister of State come in to speak on issues such as therapies and assessment of needs.

Senator Gallagher talked about the lack of prison spaces and the expansion of the community service programme. He might raise this as a Commencement matter or he can put it to the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, who will be in the Chamber shortly to discuss related matters.

Senator Higgins spoke about former Senator Lynn Boylan being deported from Israel. On the front of every Irish passport is a message from the Minister for Foreign Affairs asking that the bearer of the passport be afforded the right to travel, etc. Israel is a sovereign country that shall determine its own immigration policies. At the same time, Lynn Boylan is an elected representative of this country and an Irish citizen. I certainly hope this will not be a new standard from Israel in respect of allowing people into the country.