Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for their contributions. Senator O'Loughlin referred to fairer fares. I congratulate all the commuters in Kildare, Newbridge, Drogheda and other areas who will benefit from the reduced fares. I acknowledge the Senator's advocacy on this matter over a long number of years. She also mentioned the Allenwood Day Care Centre, meals on wheels and existing services. I suggest that a Commencement matter may get a more direct response on those issues. She also mentioned catfishing and I look forward to the progression of that Bill in due course. She is right that catfishing exploits people's vulnerability and loneliness.

Senator Nelson Murray talked about inquests. She obviously did not name anyone but shared a heartfelt, personal and difficult story for the family involved. I absolutely agree with everything she expressed, including her concern that such a thing can happen and that the privacy of someone's accidental passing can be put forward in such a fashion with the sharing of such personal information. I will ask the Minister to come to the Chamber to talk about this and other issues.

Senator Keogan, like others, talked about tariffs. Senator McCarthy also spoke about the issue in his contribution. The Tánaiste will be in the House on Thursday morning and Senators will have the opportunity to bring forward these matters. There are grave concerns about the possible impact of tariffs. Senator McCarthy talked about pharmaceuticals and the possible impact on them. Our exports could decline by approximately one half if a 20% tariff is applied. That is of grave concern to everybody. There may be impacts on employment, taxes and everything else. Tariffs will have a knock-on effect on everything, as the Tánaiste said, in the programme for Government. It is likely to impact on the next two budgets, including the budget that will be announced in the autumn, depending on the severity of the tariffs, the reciprocation and everything else. It is a grave issue. I understand the Tánaiste this morning brought a memo to Cabinet on this important matter. Subject to what is announced by President Trump tomorrow, Senators will have an opportunity to debate the issue with the Tánaiste on Thursday morning.

Senator Tully asked for the Minister, Deputy Calleary, to come to the House to talk about delays in social welfare appeals. I will ask him to attend.

Senator Harmon asked for agreement that item No. 9 would be taken before item No. 1. I agree, and look forward to the Bill on sex for rent, which is obviously something we cannot tolerate. It is a matter that comes to attention from time to time but has not been legislated for. I look forward to the progression of the Bill.

Senators Ruane, Andrews and Craughwell talked of the policing of the vigil. Policing matters are for the Garda and the Garda Commissioner, but I will bring the Senators' concerns to the attention of the Minister for Justice.

Senator Comyn, I am sure unintentionally, linked Oliver Cromwell and Phil Hogan. I would have to express concern about such a linkage. The year 1649 was a long time ago but its events were more significant, with respect to our colleagues from across the water who happen to be in the Gallery. The Senator talked about the restoration of local democracy and town councils. Many cost-saving measures, including the reduction in numbers of elected officials, were taken at the time. Numbers on many local authorities in some of the smaller counties were reduced. Many town councils were on a much smaller scale than that in Drogheda.In the case of some very small towns, it perhaps did not make sense they had a town council. There will be a review and I will invite the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, to come in to talk about that matter and tell us what plans there are. As the Senator said, they are committed to under the programme for Government.

Senator Ahearn again raised the issue of the N24 Limerick to Waterford road, particularly the Cahir to Waterford section. He regrets there was no funding allocated last week. I ask him to raise a Commencement matter directly to see whether he gets a response on that matter.

Senator Joe Conway talked about housing and how plumbing is not regulated. The Minister, Deputy Browne, will be in the House tomorrow. If the Senator contacts the Minister's office today to say he will be raising this tomorrow, he might get an answer on that specific matter. Either way, he could raise the matter tomorrow.

Senator Ollie Crowe raised the passing of the great author, Ken Bruen, may he rest in peace, and also the worrying CSO figures on tourism and the drop in tourist numbers. I do not have an answer in regard to why exactly that has happened. The Senator asked for a debate with the Minister, Deputy Peter Burke. I will certainly do that. The world is in a bit of flux at the moment. Maybe that is impacting travel. Certainly, were that to continue it would be worrying.

Senator Manus Boyle talked about occupational therapists in Donegal. He might raise that directly as a Commencement matter at a later date. We will try to get the Minister in to talk about a number of issues on the health side of things. For a more immediate response he might put down a Commencement debate.

Senator Sarah O'Reilly talked of Cavan hospital and her concerns that all 19 maternity hospitals now are providing terminations. I respect the Senator's personal convictions. She is, of course, right to raise those convictions here. However, there have been commitments by the Government that there would be geographical availability of termination services following the repeal vote and that is now provided in terms of all maternity services providing terminations.

Senator Noel O'Donovan raised the issue of Keelbeg pier at Union Hall. I know he has spoken directly to the Minister but perhaps if he puts down a Commencement matter he might get a more direct response from the Minister with regard to a commitment on this. The Senator is right; it is an important issue and it was raised at a public meeting. The best way is to get a more direct response is through a Commencement debate.

Senator Stephenson talked about rural transport in Kilkenny. I know representatives of the NTA were in Leinster House today. I do not know whether the Senator had a chance to speak with them directly but we will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, to come in to talk about rural transport. It is an important issue. I find in my area that if you provide a bus service every two hours, people would want it every hour, and rightly so. If it was every hour, they would want it every half an hour, and rightly so. If it was every half an hour, they would want it every 15 minutes. The more services you have, the greater the frequency, and the more routes, the better use they get. That frequency of service, in conjunction with bus shelters to provide a level of comfort to people waiting, is important. I will certainly ask the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, to come in to talk about that.

Senator Scahill raised dentistry services. We had a number of debates on this issue at health committees through the years. There have been many concerns over the dentistry service. I will ask for a debate on that matter. If the Senator has a specific case, he might raise it as a Commencement debate. However, we will try to get the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, in on that issue. The Senator is right; it is an important issue in terms of providing adequate cover and inspection checks in schools. That has fallen off in recent years and that can have long-term effects on dental care.

Senator Craughwell again raised the issue of the triple lock and neutrality. He may raise those matters tomorrow with the Tánaiste. That would be the best opportunity.

Senator Cathal Byrne raised rail services, particularly the Rosslare, Enniscorthy and Wexford service to Connolly. I am not sure whether he got an opportunity to engage with Irish Rail. He might put down a Commencement debate and the Minister might be able to give a more direct response on that. No more than rural bus services, enhancements of the adequacy and frequency of services will assist in the context of use.

Senator McCarthy talked about the tariffs, which I have addressed, and the impact in the context of pharma and drugs in particular. He will have an opportunity to raise the matter on Thursday. Senator Duffy referred to pyrite and mica, which are issues of concern. He called for an expediting of the review and an expansion of the scheme. The Minister, Deputy Browne, will come before the House tomorrow and I am sure he will expect some Senators to raise the issue of mica. If the Senator does not intend to speak, he might ask our spokesperson on housing, Senator Murphy, to raise this matter directly with the Minister.