Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators for their contributions this afternoon, starting with Senator O' Loughlin, who brought up the issue of the disappeared and Joe Lynskey. We think of his family and the false dawn. Unfortunately, the remains that were discovered were not those of Joe and they also were not related to the other interred members within that family grave. The remains are, therefore, unknown. I commend the work of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains and the ongoing, very important work that they have. The Senator also called for a debate on adult immunisation and I will request that from Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.

Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn referred to the GAA awards and the three separate associations. She welcomed that all three are committed to an amalgamation for the good of the game. She acknowledged the one-club model and the disparity in facilities for ladies and girls who play camogie and Gaelic football across our country.I acknowledge the ongoing work of clubs to try to improve facilities and the importance of sports capital grants, among other things, in that. I will request a debate with the Minister for sport.

Senator Mullen referred to an individual in Corcullen, County Galway, without broadband. I understand the latest figures indicate there are still 850 residents without broadband since the storm. It is a very slow response and there are ongoing repairs. Even up to last week, there were trees being removed from some lines in my own area. It is an ongoing issue. I have spoken to the Minister and have requested he come to the House as soon as possible to talk about communications infrastructure, and he has agreed. We will bring him into the House as soon as we can.

The Senator also talked about the accommodation recognition scheme, which is to be debated on Thursday, and he can make those points directly to the Minister then. I see in reports that there is concern about the possible impact on the rental market. We will debate that on Thursday and the motion to continue that scheme will be put to the House.

Senator Tully raised the issues of Cavan’s roads. There has been an increase of some 8% in total funding in the past year, up to €715 million. There is never enough, obviously. We could all advocate for additional funding for roads in Cavan, Galway and elsewhere. We will continue to apply pressure in forthcoming budgets for increased roads funding.

Senator Stephenson talked about the triple lock and called for a people's vote on this. This was put to the Lower House. The original decision was made in 2001 to enact the triple lock. It was not made at that stage with a referendum. There will be a fuller debate on that very important issue at a later date. Senator Clonan also raised that issue and has shared his views on it on numerous occasions. He has called for more investment in the Defence Forces, which is very important and is part of the commitment in Government. The Senator talked about opinion pieces. It is obviously a topical issue because it has been discussed at various stages in this House and during Leaders' Questions in the other House. It is generating interest and perhaps people are using that opportunity to write opinion pieces.

Senator Higgins and others discussed the ongoing atrocities in Gaza. We hope the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence will be before the House next week. It is not finalised but that is plan. The Government is doing a lot and has spoken out much more than many other European countries. We know about the ongoing atrocities. We have continued to fund UNRWA. There is food at the border of Jordan waiting to cross that has not been allowed in. We are very conscious of the ongoing issues and the Tánaiste will be better able to express what the Government is doing and the ongoing role of Government, the EU and the UN in respect of those atrocities.

Senator Ryan discussed the Heathrow disruption and the oversized impact of Dublin in terms of aviation in this country. We have wonderful airports in the west, from Ireland West Airport in Knock to our airports in Shannon, Cork and Kerry. Air access is important for an island nation. I will request a debate on aviation policy.

Senator Brady discussed the ongoing damage on forestry, and it is a very visual impact in terms of damage to forestry. If the roots are intact, it can be protected for a period of months or perhaps even years, but obviously there is a serious issue. I will request a debate on this on this matter with the Minister of State, Deputy Healy-Rae. I am surprised to hear of replanting or new planting - I am not sure which - being done right up to the road. I thought we were moving away from those sorts of policies. That is certainly something I would be concerned about.

Senator Boyhan talked about the residential zoned land tax. There is a balance here because, under the national planning framework and county development plans, every town has an amount of zoned land, and that is the only land that is available for building. If that land is zoned, is being farmed and is not being utilised, it cannot be built on. The purpose of the zoned land tax is to try to encourage land that is zoned to be built on.If it was being actively farmed, there was a policy that allowed that land to be dezoned, which, as a result, allowed other land in the vicinity in the town to be zoned for building. The deadline is this week, and that has been well flagged. It is a very important issue. There is a commitment that actively farmed land is not taxed but neither should it be zoned if it is not going to be made readily available.

Senator Rabbitte called for a debate on cybersecurity. I will request that from the Minister of State, Deputy Niamh Smyth, who is responsible for cybersecurity and AI.

Senator Andrews spoke about Pearse House flats. I am not sure whether he tabled a Commencement matter in respect of that issue. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage will be before us next week to discuss housing, The Senator will have the opportunity to raise that matter with him directly at that time. Alternatively, the Senator can table a Commencement matter.

Senator Cosgrove referred to speaking rights in the Lower House. I understand the vote on this has been passed. We hope this will allow the committees to be established. The Senator is right. There is a lot of work to be done. The committees play an important role in the context of pre-legislative scrutiny. They have to give permission if they are not going ahead with pre-legislative scrutiny, so we need those things to happen to allow Bills to progress from the Attorney General through to drafting and on to the Houses. The committees have an important role in that regard. They also carry out more in-depth scrutiny of various Ministers, Departments and agencies that come within their remits.

Senator Noonan spoke about the disbandment of Coillte Nature. I understand that it is being absorbed into the mainstream work of Coillte. I accept that the Senator is not happy with that. I suggest that he table a Commencement matter in order to see if the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine can come to the House. Coillte Nature would be more associated with the biodiversity side, which is part of the Senator's former role in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage but, obviously, Coillte falls under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, so he may not get the joined-up thinking he might want. I suggest that he table a Commencement matter.

Senator Maria Byrne welcomed the progress on the incremental purchase scheme in Limerick. I congratulate Limerick City and County Council for progressing those schemes, which are very important. We all know the urgency relating to house building, commencing and completing housing projects and making houses of all types available across our cities and counties.

Senator Harmon mentioned young carers. I acknowledge the motion from the Labour Party that was supported by all parties in the Lower House. The Government commitment to removing the means tests for carers is extremely important. The Senator is right to suggest the importance of young carers, the role they play and the pressures they face in addition to those relating to growing up and education. They face a significant burden, which I acknowledge.

Senator Keogan spoke about immigration, free speech and media star Garron Noone. I welcome that he has come back to social media. I hope he will continue to communicate about the different, varied and interesting topics of discussion for which he is renowned.

Senator Sarah O'Reilly spoke about the ongoing situation in Gaza. Again, subject to confirmation, it is hoped the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs will be before the House next week to discuss matters such as that. I am sure the occupied territories Bill will be on members' lists in terms of the questions they will want to put to him. I acknowledge the ongoing atrocities in Gaza.

Senator Flynn spoke about the impact on adults of being diagnosed with various conditions such as autism, dyslexia and ADHD, and the costs of those diagnoses. This is an interesting issue. The Senator might want to put down a Commencement matter in order to get a direct response from the relevant Minister.

Senator McCarthy spoke about the closure of Thunders Bakery after five decades. This is an example of the pressures SMEs are under. I do not know the reasons for that closure, but I will request a debate at the earliest opportunity on small businesses, the importance of SMEs and what Government can do to support SMEs across the country.