Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators for their contributions on the Order of Business.

Senator O'Loughlin raised a number of issues, including congratulating the new Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Rossa Mulcahy. We all join her in wishing the Irish team well at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin. She also raised issues regarding biodiversity and section 39 workers. I will ask if we can get a statement on those matters at a later date.

Senator Nelson Murray spoke about St. Ultan's school in Meath and made a very interesting proposal regarding whether we needed transport managers for a number of schools in terms of the bus escorts. It is an important issue and perhaps she might like to raise it as a matter on the Commencement. I will also raise it with the Minister for Transport.

Senators Clonan and Craughwell again raised issues regarding the triple lock. I understand the Tánaiste brought proposals to the Cabinet today and in time we will know exactly what those are. Regarding pre-legislative scrutiny, there would have to be a proposal if we were to remove pre-legislative scrutiny for that issue. Today, the Tánaiste asked why we should ask Vladimir Putin for his permission as to where Irish men and women can go on peacekeeping missions and pointed to how the UN Security Council had not found itself in a position to mandate a new peacekeeping mission since 2014 even though that was not because the world had not needed peacekeeping. This is an issue that will generate considerable debate. In response to Senator Clonan, I certainly have no plans to impose guillotines on this very important legislation.

Senator Andrews spoke about people in Gaza starving owing to Israeli blockades. I know that four truckloads of aid funded by Ireland are waiting in Jordan to get into Gaza with critical supplies, including food. It is vital that this aid be allowed to flow. We also need to ensure that the ceasefire holds and that the hostages are released as well. We are continuing to monitor that very important situation. I will ask the Tánaiste for a debate on this important issue.

Senators Noonan and Higgins spoke about the potential fines of up to €26 billion as outlined today by the Climate Change Advisory Council.

I will ask the Minister for the environment to come in for a debate to discuss the report from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and the Climate Change Advisory Council. There is a lot of food for thought on those issues. The most important thing we can do is ensure the plans we have are put in place and enacted and that we do not incur those fines. The climate advisory council and such keep our feet to the fire in relation to our commitments. That is what they do. They were set up by government to ensure that government is kept under pressure on behalf of the Irish people to deliver on commitments.

Senator Murphy O'Mahony called for a debate on farm safety. I will ask the Minister. This time of year, calving is at full steam. There are associated dangers for farmers at calving time, particularly on suckler farms. The mother always protects her baby and she sees the farmer as a threat in those cases and can react. It is important farmers are conscious of the dangers during calving season. It can never be highlighted too much.

Senator Bradley spoke about the Little Angels special school in Letterkenny. It is an important issue - nine children are facing not having a place in September. That can be put forward as a Commencement matter for a more detailed response. Senator Keogan asked for a debate on Tusla and, as she called it, its shortcomings. I will ask the Minister to come in to talk about that and make statements on Tusla.

Senator Rabbitte spoke about domestic violence and women's refuges. A lot of work has been done in relation to Cuan. Some counties, unfortunately, still do not have refuges. We need to be able to respond to those. A number of years ago I visited the refuge in Galway with the Minister at the time, Deputy McEntee. I recall rather naively asking if residents can have friends or relatives come in to visit. Of course, the answer was no because you do not know who is coercing whom in those situations. It is an important issue. I will ask for a debate on that.

Senator Boyle raised an issue regarding Milford primary school. I ask him to submit a Commencement matter to get a more detailed answer as to where that school is at. Senator Tully sought a debate on mental health and mentioned SOSAD in Cavan and an SLA is being worked out over the next six months. I will ask for a debate on that matter with the Minister. Senator Kennelly asked that the Minister of State, Deputy Boxer Moran, come into the House to discuss flooding. I will try to get him in but for a more specific debate, the Senator can submit a Commencement matter if he has not already done so or keep renewing it. Senator Harmon spoke about gardaí in Cork. The allocation of gardaí is a matter for the Garda Commissioner but in relation to overall number, the Government is recruiting. Templemore was closed during Covid. The Minister at the time, Deputy McEntee, made changes to the ages of recruitment and retirement. We are trying to increase the number of gardaí and, therefore, Cork and elsewhere will get their share of gardaí as recruitment continues.

Senator O'Reilly spoke about the protest by the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association, INHFA, outside the Department of agriculture. I attended there earlier. The Minister, Deputy Heydon, who I hope will be able to meet the delegation from INHFA, stated we have a legal obligation under the good agricultural and environmental practice for the protection of wetlands and peatlands. It is a mandatory condition associated with the basic income support for farmers. Ireland succeeded in getting two deferrals up to January this year but the Commission made it clear there will be no further extensions. The standard has to be in place before the basic income support for farmers scheme opens for applications. That said, the group today have particular concerns regarding the inclusion of peatlands and mineral soils together in one parcel. If there is more than 51% peat in that parcel, the parcel in its entirety will be treated as peatland. That should be looked at again. I will engage with the Minister on that matter.

Senator Brady discussed fly tipping, which is a scourge in rural areas on farms, boglands and woodlands, and in many of our scenic areas.

There have been recent changes in relation to the use of CCTV, where there were delays for some time over the use of data, etc. I think this has been rectified. It is up to the local authorities to continue to enact, to monitor and to enforce, as well as to continue monitoring operators who might be up to no good and providing cheap removal services without having the relevant licences to tip.

Senator Craughwell asked for a debate on the issue of Garda and Army pensions, which I will try to agree to. Senator McCormack raised the issue of special school places in County Laois and the particular case of Sofia and her son Isaac, who has been home-schooled. I will again ask for a debate in relation to special education.

Senator Higgins raised issues regarding the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, and again I will ask for a debate with the Minister on this matter. She also raised the topic of the comments and actions of President von der Leyen in relation to what she called the rearmament of Europe. Of course, we all wish the Continent did not even have to consider going down this route. It is, though, dealing with particular challenges, including the threats, the real invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the recent comments and decisions by President Trump concerning withdrawing support from Ukraine. There is a grave concern, therefore, that Ukraine could be run through by Russia if it does not have support from the European Union. These are very difficult decisions that are being made and President von der Leyen is responding to real threats and looking at the need for Europe to increase its defence spending to combat these real threats.