Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I totally endorse all the comments that have been made about Aisling and I absolutely approve of the suggestion by Senator Wilson that we invite Aisling back for a day to give us the opportunity to acknowledge her and show that we value and appreciate all the work she has done.

Senator Kennelly spoke about the lack of respite care in Kerry and about St. Francis school in Beaufort and the gap in service provision there. He also said it would seem that there possibly could be some work done with St. Mary of the Angels that would alleviate the problems that exist. The Senator is right to raise this matter. Right across the country, there is a problem regarding the fact that there is a gap between people with additional and special needs leaving school and having some type of roadmap to ensure they have value in their lives. This is something I feel strongly about. We absolutely need to put a great deal of focus on this area. As the Senator indicated, we need a structured transitional service to cater for those moving from school to the world of work or further education. We will look for a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, on the matter.

Senator Murphy O'Mahony paid tribute to councillors all 941 throughout the country. The Senator spoke about the fact that the role they play is often under-appreciated and undervalued and has given a commitment to try to ensure that the role will be enhanced. The Senator spoke about her commitment and experience as both a town and county councillor. I also have that commitment and experience. Certainly, starting at the town level, you learn so much about local government.

The Senator also spoke about Heathrow coming to a standstill a week ago. My sister and her family were involved in that and had to drive to Manchester to get a flight on Saturday. A closure lasting 15 hours for a large airport like that causes major chaos. The Senator is right to ask if we have a plan B in Ireland, particularly in the context of Dublin Airport. We will look for a debate with the Minister for Transport in relation to aviation policy, because we need to support our regional airports around the country and, obviously, to look at Dublin as well. There are issues there. The programme for Government states that the cap will be lifted, but a full debate on that matter is certainly warranted. As stated, we will look for that debate.

Senator Murphy O'Mahony referred to the fact that Mother's Day, which falls on Sunday, is not always a happy day for everybody, namely for mothers who have lost and for those who want to be mothers but cannot. On behalf of all of us, I wish all mothers out there a happy Mother's Day.

Senator Keogan also spoke about Aisling Hart and wished her well, as did Senator Flynn. Senator Keogan asked about a debate around housing policy. We will have the Minister for housing in the House next Wednesday. We will be having a debate then, but just to make the point to the Senator that she spoke about people who are not Irish and who are earning a lot of money and buying houses. If they are earning large amounts of money here, then they are paying very high taxes. Obviously, they are also making PRSI contributions and are contributing to local economies.

Senator Andrews spoke about the futility of war. The Senator is absolutely right. It is shocking that when we wake up every day and look at our screens or newspapers and we see the ongoing events in Gaza, Ukraine and many other places around the world. The situation in Sudan is also particularly bad at present. The Senator referred to the possibility of losing our neutrality and the situation in terms of dismantling the triple lock. I agree that there is a need for a debate. I do not think it has been foreseen by anyone in government that we would forgo our neutrality, but is only fair that we have a debate in both Houses in relation to it. We certainly will. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs will be coming in next Thursday. There will be an opportunity to raise the matter at that point. However, like Senator Ahearn, I wish to make a particular point. Coming from Kildare, I obviously know many Army families. I know families who take huge pride in their traditions. Sometimes, it is a generational tradition where people I would know are the third and fourth generation serving and they take massive pride in what they do, particularly in terms of peacekeeping duties. I accept that it is a way of earning a good deposit for a house, etc., but certainly I know many who take huge pride in it. It is more than just an economic necessity for them.

Senator Stephenson spoke about a conflict of interests in relation to an individual who is an influencer and who, it is clear on the lobbying register, has a conflict of interests in terms of what they are saying. The Senator spoke about the importance of transparency. That is absolutely correct. We can all fall foul of looking at social media and thinking that something is the case when, actually, that does not prove to be the case when we did deeper. It was a welcome development last week when a decision was made in respect of two influencers regarding the fact that it was not clear that they were being sponsored commercially by organisations which had a lot to gain by those influencers being able to speak for them. That matter was called to national attention last week. That is a good thing. Transparency is important, particularly in a democracy. In terms of looking for a debate, it could be part of a wider debate on democracy. We certainly will look for that.

Senator Flynn spoke about 1,275 students who are not fully attending school because they are on reduced timetables. These are generally children with additional needs or who come from different ethnic backgrounds. This is a concern. I commend Maria Delaney on the work she has done. We certainly do not want any child to be excluded from the education system. There can sometimes be difficulties involved, and there can be problems for teachers and other children. We have to find a solution. The education committee, during the term before last, brought forward legislation in relation to this matter. That legislation was on schools' admissions policies. We introduced an amendment to say that only in the most severe cases and in circumstances where parents agreed would there be reduced timetables and that such a timetable could not be foisted on any student. That certainly seemed to gain traction but, I suppose, as things happen, things sometimes slip a little. We will look for a debate with the Minister for Education on the matter.

Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about Drumcondra being the first village in Dublin, and, I think, the country, that has received a prestigious award from AsIAm because it has become an autism-friendly village. That is a huge achievement. Well done to Lucy Crean and her team. They worked with 20 different organisations to make that happen. I offer our thanks and congratulations to Lucy, and also to all of the stakeholders involved. It is a wonderful tribute. We should all try to follow suit with our own communities and towns.

Senator Nelson Murray spoke about the problems for retail outlets with parking spots being taken. This is something that, unfortunately, we are seeing right around the country. The Senator is right. It is causing a major problem for retailers because, while it is important to have our town centres seen as consumer friendly and to have, as the Senator stated in the context of Navan, the necessary public spaces, public paving, trees, etc., there are many people who will not stop if they cannot find a handy parking spot. Retail outlets lose out as a result. The Senator was talking about how one individual indicated that they felt they lost 40% of their business. That is massive at a time when retail is struggling. There are concerns about online shopping, and I certainly share them. I rarely buy anything online. I was concerned last week when there was much hype about Amazon.ie being launched. That cannot be good for our retail industry. We will certainly look for a debate with the Minister for local government. There must be a balance. We need to ensure that retail does not lose out because consumers lose out as well if they cannot park in location and go in and support local retail outlets.

Senator McCarthy spoke about Daffodil Day and stories of hope and compassion. The Senator spoke about James and Kate Doyle and Jess Colivet and the fact that as well as being a fundraising day, it is a time and symbol of unity.We have all had people in our lives who, sadly, did not come through cancer but we also have people in our lives who have done so, and who have survived and thrived. In speaking to some of those survivors, they feel it has changed them for the better in terms of the way they look at and celebrate life now.

Senator Wilson spoke in glowing terms about Aisling Hart and she deserves all of those glowing terms. She has been very dedicated and committed to this House and we look forward to honouring her here.

Senator Ahearn, in his response to Senator Andrews, spoke about his pride in Clonmel and Kickham Barracks. He thanked all the people who served there. He rightly pointed out that we had former members in both Houses and we also have people who have family members who are members - I know Senator Wilson's son is a proud serving member also.

Senator Cosgrove spoke about the proposed move of the Donegal Education Centre from Donegal town to Letterkenny, which is a significant distance of 53 km. I feel for the six employees in this situation and also for those who use the services. I do not know the service but I presume it concerns further education. Such centres play a very important role in the lives of the full community. Has the Senator put down a Commencement matter?