Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach. I thank all Senators for their contributions.

Senator Rabbitte talked about the changing places facilities that are being rolled out slowly across the country. There is a new facility in Salthill. I acknowledge Councillor Clodagh Higgins, who spearheaded that project when she was mayor of Galway city a number of years ago. Senator Rabbitte is right about the design and standards. Obviously, the Oireachtas has legislated and there are regulations in place. It is now incumbent on all other bodies to ensure that those designs are followed through and that, more importantly, those facilities are followed through on in order that local authorities can have them in place for adults and children. They have to be usable, available and located in the correct places. The Senator might put down a Commencement matter or raise the issue with the Minister when we have statements on disability or local authorities.

Senator Craughwell again referred to the triple lock. We will have a debate on this matter. The heads of a Bill went to Cabinet, so we will have time over the coming months to fully thrash out this matter. There are different views in this Chamber and across the country. It is important that all facts are presented and thrashed out. A fact is a fact, and you cannot have two versions of the same fact, so either the Security Council has a veto or it does not. Both cannot be right. As a result, we need to ensure the facts are presented by Government and are debated.

Senator Andrews talked about the Glover’s Court and O’Carroll Villas flats complexes. He raised two issues. One is the glacial pace, as he put it, of regeneration and the other relates to drug use and Garda deployment. Perhaps he could table a Commencement matter on the regeneration or engage with Dublin City Council. I will follow up with the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, on Garda deployment. That is obviously a matter for the Garda Commissioner, but we are seeing increased numbers of gardaí coming through the training system. Unfortunately, Templemore was closed during Covid. We have seen changes to allow for further recruitment, such as admission up to the age of 50 and later retirement. These changes are to be welcomed.

Senator Ahearn talked about the importance of greenways and blueways and the wonderful funding that was announced for a project that will eventually link up the Rock of Cashel, Dungarvan, Youghal and Waterford along one greenway. I have a concern about the pace of delivery of these projects. There are issues in Galway. There is a photo of me from 2014 with the then Minister for Transport where we are on bicycles shaking hands about a project. Nothing has happened in respect of that project since. Announcements are great, but we need to ensure the follow-up is there, the planning permission obtained and the projects progressed. When people see the end product, namely large stretches of greenway and blueway that are useable and available for kids on tricycles, people on bicycles and walkers, elderly and young, it is great. We would like to see more of that, but I am conscious of the need to ensure delivery.

Senator Ruane talked about a very important issue relating to refuges. Someone else raised it yesterday in relation to domestic violence. It is a very important point I would not have considered. I am aware of the issues with refuge spaces and how not all counties have refuges. We need to get on top of that and address the lack of spaces or issues with spaces in the counties that have refuges. However, I had not contemplated the ancillary issue of women who are victims of domestic violence but who also have substance abuse problems, and how they can be denied access and left in a more vulnerable position. That is a very important point. I will ask for the Minister to come in for statements on domestic violence in order that we might try to tease those matters out.

Senator Comyn referred to another very important issue, namely the request for a commission of investigation into Michael Shine and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. She has met some of the victims – and they are victims – and is calling for a full statutory investigation. I will raise that directly with the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan. It is obviously a very important decision and anything like that would have to go from the Minister to Cabinet for approval, but I will certainly raise it with him.

Senator Cathal Byrne was talking about the funding of clubs. There has been a rule and a principle that the sports capital grant is not to be used to purchase land because once the land is purchased we are then going back to the Department again for the funding for the redevelopment of it. That is not to say it would not be considered, but it would represent sea change in policy. If it was one or the other and there was money to buy the land but no funding to develop it, we have clubs with land they cannot develop. It could be done but it would be a sea change in policy. Perhaps the Senator could raise it as a Commencement matter with the Minister of State with responsibility for sport to see what the view is. It would depend on the funding issue. There has been a policy for the past few years that where sports clubs have valid applications, they have been funded. If, therefore, purchase of land is included in the pot, we would have a greater number. It could be as simple as increasing the funding pot, but, again, there are limitations on all these things.

Senator Keogan talked about lis pendens, which puts any third party on notice that there is a pending legal challenge regarding land or property. Again, I am not up to date on that matter and perhaps the Senator could raise it directly via a Commencement matter with the relevant Minister. I am not sure whether it is in the remit of the Minister for Justice or the Minister who has responsibility for Tailte Éireann, namely the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Senator Murphy O’Mahony talked about how west Cork is second to Connemara as the most scenic and beautiful part of our country and asked for statements on tourism. I will certainly try to facilitate that with the Minister, Deputy Burke. The Senator raised important issues about the number of tourists who come here. Obviously, we have a great product, but we cannot take things for granted. We must look at availability of accommodation. We cannot get tourists into the country if there is no place for them to stay. That is an issue, as is value for money.

Senator Sarah O’Reilly referred to the tragic death of Noah Donohoe. Again, I ask her to raise that directly with the Minister for Justice, perhaps via a Commencement matter. It is a different jurisdiction, because the matter relates to Northern Ireland, which means that the Minister does not have direct responsibility. I am not sure whether he could comment or engage on that matter or whether it is a question for the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs. It may be for the latter, notwithstanding the unique position of the Six Counties. Perhaps the Senator could take that up as a Commencement matter.

Senator Duffy raised the very important ongoing issue with the defective concrete blocks affected by pyrite and mica. Again, I will ask for an update on this. The Government has committed over €2 billion over its lifetime to deal with this issue. It is a very emotive issue and a very real one that people are living through. There has been some progress. Money is being drawn down, but we need to ensure whatever roadblocks are there are removed in order to try to fast-track matters.