Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators for their contributions. Senator O'Loughlin raised the matters of roads funding and bridge rehabilitation works. She asked for more specific funding for bridges. She will have an opportunity to raise the issue with the Minister. I will try to organise a debate on roads funding at some stage. The Senator also raised the issue of agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, payments, which has been ongoing for a number of years. Delayed payments have created challenges for farmers who expect payments that do not come. I will raise the matter with the Minister, Deputy Heydon.

The Senator also asked for a debate on issues pertaining to animal welfare. She mentioned the great work done by the My Lovely Horse charity. I commend all the animal charities. I know that the supports they get from the Department of agriculture, as well as some of the local authorities, have increased in recent years.

Senator Brady raised the issue of TB, which I know is a scourge on farm communities and causes great upset in the many cases where a large number of animals have to be culled from a herd because of positive testing. The Senator raised issues and sought some information. Perhaps he could ask a Deputy to submit a parliamentary question in respect of the figures. Otherwise he could raise the matter with the Cathaoirleach as a Commencement debate. I will certainly discuss the matter with the Minister for agriculture. I know it is a serious issue.

Senators Craughwell and Higgins raised the issue of the triple lock. They have a difference of opinion on the issue, which is right and healthy. We will try to get a debate on the issue. Senator Craughwell again raised the issue of search and rescue. I will try to arrange for a Minister to come to the House on that issue.

Senator Conor Murphy talked about the great funding being provided under the shared island fund and cross-Border initiatives. He talked about branding, collaboration and amalgamation in respect of North-South tourism products. Perhaps the North-South Ministerial Council could have a role and I will raise the matter with the Ministers in question.

Luaigh an Seanadóir Cosgrove rudaí maidir le maoiniú Fhoras na Gaeilge agus d’aontaigh an Seanadóir Conway léi freisin. Mar iarAire Stáit na Gaeltachta, tá na fadhbanna atá ann leis na blianta anuas maidir le maoiniú Fhoras na Gaeilge ar eolas agam. Nuair nach raibh an Tionól sa Tuaisceart ag feidhmiú thar na blianta, bhí fadhb ansin. Tá fadhb eile ann anois, áfach, mar gheall ar an mbac atá an DUP ag cur ar an maoiniú seo.Níl sé féaráilte do mhuintir na Gaeltachta. Tá an t-airgead anseo ag an Rialtas chun caitheamh ar son na Gaeilge agus ar son grúpaí áitiúla. Ba cheart go mbeadh muid in ann an t-airgead sin a chaitheamh. Beidh deis ag Seanadóirí é seo a lua leis an Aire, an Teachta Calleary, a bheidh sa Teach an tseachtain seo chugainn maidir le ráitis do Sheachtain na Gaeilge.

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins talked about climate matters and the ten hottest years on the record over the last ten years. She talked about her concern about the downgrading of the EU's role in climate issues. The Clean Industry Deal looked at three challenges: climate change, competitiveness and the dependency on critical raw materiels. It is an issue in the EU and I know it is dealing with it. Perhaps we will get an opportunity to deal with matters of climate change over the coming weeks as well.

Senator Rabbitte talked about safe routes to school and active travel. She rightly stated that certain minority groups and vulnerable people should have rights as well in relation to day care centres or respite houses. I totally agree. I will raise that with the Minister.

Senator Murphy, supported by Senator Malcolm Noonan, raised the matters of built heritage and stone walls. Galway, Clare, Mayo and Roscommon are synonymous with stone walls. They are a wonderful part of our heritage, going back hundreds of years. It is a shame to see those stone walls being flattened by storms. As was said, there may be elderly farmers who may not be in a position to restore them. I will discuss that with the Minister, Deputy Martin Heydon, and see if he and the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, can come up with something on that.

Senator Keogan called for a debate on housing and how it relates to immigration and migration. I will seek a debate on that matter at the earliest opportunity. Senator Kennelly raised the issue of flooding along the River Feale last November and its significant impact on the town of Listowel and other areas. I ask the Senator to put down a Commencement matter to get a direct response. We will get the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, in at the earliest opportunity but if the Senator wants a specific reply on that matter, it might be an idea to put down a Commencement matter on it.

Senator Tully asked about a school extension. Again, it might be in order to put down a Commencement matter. I will also try to raise the matter directly with the Minister.

Senator Stephenson talked about overseas aid, debt funding and debt forgiveness, and it would be great if it were possible across the world. She is right that it does put a significant burden on countries' ability to use their own resources. Therefore, they become more reliant on overseas aid, which has been cut by the United States and by certain other governments from time to time. I agree that if something could be done internationally on debt forgiveness, it would make a huge difference. I will ask the Minister to come into the House at some stage on that matter, or Senator Stephenson could put it down as a Commencement matter.

Senator Boyle raised a specific issue in the village of Fahan. It might be an idea to raise this directly with the local authority. I am unsure whether he is talking about national, regional or council roads. Clearly, there is a need for a comprehensive plan. It might be best to raise that directly with the directors of services in Donegal County Council in the first instance.

Senator Black called for a debate on the defective concrete blocks grant. There is a scheme there, which is working in some case, but clearly there is a lot more that needs to be done. I will ask the Minister to come in as part of an overall discussion on housing.

Senator Ryan talked about the local authority purchase and renovation loan and called for the Minister to come into the House. I will mention that as well. Senator Lynch talked about the status of a building identified for Youthreach in Macroom. I know the Senator put down a Commencement matter. Maybe she could put one down again because it is the quickest way to get a direct response on a specific issue within her area.

Senator Noonan made an important contribution regarding the COP16 biodiversity talks and called for a debate on biodiversity. I will ask Minister of State, Deputy O’Sullivan, to come in and speak on that. Senator Harmon talked about her concern for artists and that they may suffer because of issues in the Arts Council and the overspending. The previous Government introduced the basic income for artists. It is important that is continued. It is being looked at. It was brought in as a pilot and it is being reviewed. It is important that is maintained and continued. Regarding funding of the Arts Council, it has responsibility on how it spends the funding. It chose to spend €6 million in that manner. I am sure it was not its intention and that it got out of hand. Clearly, responsibility lies with it. We will have the Minister, Deputy O’Donovan, here at some stage to speak on the Arts Council.

Senator Flynn requested a debate on women's health. There will be a debate next week. The Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, will be in to talk on women's health to mark International Women's Day. There will be an opportunity then and hopefully some men will turn up as well, if we are allowed in on that occasion, although I am sure we will be. I have addressed Senator Conway.

Senator Boyhan talked about the Planning and Development Act and asked specific questions about implementation and getting a hard copy of this Act. I will try to get information on those matters for him. Senator Duffy raised the very difficult case of young Mike Henry. My heart goes out to his family. I am not qualified to give an opinion on a specific medical case. I suggest Senator Duffy raise it directly with Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, to see what can be done. I can only imagine the heartbreak of parents in how to look after young Mike Henry, and I certainly hope progress can be made on this matter soon.