Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators for their contributions. Senator Comyn raised public order incidents during daylight hours and the shortage of gardaí in Drogheda and Laytown and asked for a debate with the Minister for Justice, which I will certainly try to arrange. There have been some shortfalls in Garda numbers because of the Covid pandemic and Templemore College being closed at the time but there has been an increase in numbers, not least due to the changes that were made over recent number of years on the advanced retirement age for Garda members and the entry level being increased to 50 years of age. I will ask the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, to come in.

Senator Kennelly called for a minute's silence for the late, great Mick O'Dwyer and I would certainly be happy to facilitate that, subject to the Cathaoirleach's agreement. The Senator is right to describe Micko as a leader and motivator and someone with a great ability to inspire the young and old all over the country but especially in Kerry. I send my sympathies to his family, friends and neighbours. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Senator Clonan raised the case of Ms Evelyne Cynk and the fact that she is in a difficult position over possible debts the HSE has not provided cover for, and called for answers from the HSE. He might raise this directly as a Commencement debate and see if the Minister will give a more comprehensive response. By raising it here today, the Senator has given impetus, I hope, to resolving the issue. I will take this up directly with the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. Senator McCormack raised the issue of the St. Francis School in Portlaoise. I ask her to raise this as a Commencement matter to get a more direct response relating to additional modular accommodation for the school year starting in September.

Senator Noonan talked about the shelving of BER certificates, which were committed to under the Housing for All proposals, and asked the Government not to shelve them. I will have to get an update. I imagine it may be something to do with reducing the burdens on landlords. I understand the Senator's point, as somebody who a long time ago used to scrub the mould off a wall in rental accommodation because I was concerned about the health impact. The Senator also raised the issue of the tragic fires in Wild Nephin National Park, Kenmare and in the Mourne Mountains. It is very difficult to witness the loss of habitat and wildlife given the work that goes on and, indeed, the investment by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, in particular the walkway in Wild Nephin. The Senator also called for a debate on increased investment in the Defence Forces and the dual use of equipment. That might be a topic more suitable to a Commencement matter. I will certainly ask the Minister to come in, in due course, on matters of defence.

Senator Rabbitte talked about autism awareness month and the recommendations in the autism report. As the Senator mentioned, the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, is in this House today, but the Senator asked for a specific debate on autism, which I will try to arrange. Previously, when there was a report published by the Committee on Autism, there was a debate in the House. Perhaps we can look at that at a future date.

Senator Boyle raised something I had not heard of, that is, 750 tonnes of blue whiting ending up as fishmeal. I recommend he raises a Commencement matter on that with the Minister to get a direct response. We will, in due course, try to get the Minister in to talk about marine matters as well. From what the Senator has said, it does not make sense to lose that valuable protein-rich food.

Senator Boyhan raised the mother and baby institutions payment scheme. The negotiator of the report, Sheila Nunan, engaged with eight religious bodies. The Minister, Deputy Foley, has stated that she is deeply disappointed by the overall response from the religious bodies and she has asked them to reflect further on their shared and collective responsibility for the tragic legacy of the mother and baby county home institutions and the intergenerational impacts which endure. She has said she will ask her officials to liaise with the Office of the Attorney General to consider if any further options are available to the State. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Foley, to come in to debate this matter as soon as possible.

Senator Crowe raised the issue of the passenger cap at Dublin Airport and its impact on tourism. He called for the Minister for Transport to come in. I will try to get him to come in to address that issue.

Senator Scahill called for a debate on retail crime. We will have a debate soon on small businesses with the Minister of State, Deputy Alan Dillon, but if not then, we can look at an overall debate on crime with the Minister for Justice, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan.

Senator Ryan called for a debate with the Minister for mental health regarding timely access to CAMHS, which we have put in a request for.

Senator Brady raised the issue of the foot and mouth outbreak in Hungary. I know our Department is monitoring the situation there. There has been no movement of susceptible animals from Hungary or Slovakia to this country since, I think, January. Austria has closed dozens of border crossings with Slovenia and Hungary. There is ongoing monitoring of this situation. The Senator is right to raise it. We all remember the previous foot and mouth disaster in the 2000s, its impact on all sectors and the visuals of that both in this country and across the water.

Senator Keogan spoke about the Dáil, which I will leave to others, although I agree with her on the need to establish committees, which was being delayed because of the goings on in the Dáil. She also raised the issue of comments made in this House. The Cathaoirleach might advise on whether, if there is an issue with comments made here, it might be open to contact or write to the Seanad Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight.

Senator Maria Byrne raised matters relating to Limerick Lifelong Learning.and commended it on its great work in terms of IT, entrepreneurship and highlighted its work in literacy and learning. It is now in its 15th year and I wish it well in its endeavours. It is great to see that community coming together on such an important issue. Senator Andrews raised issues of animal welfare. I do not know where the zebra came from. Did it escape? Was it bred privately? Was it bred in one of our zoos or wildlife parks? I do not know where the zebra came from but if there is a need for legislation to tighten up animal welfare, then that should certainly be looked at. The Senator is right that it is an animal welfare matter and I will ask for a debate on animal welfare as soon as I can.

Senator Gallagher raised the issue of Bus Éireann's mandatory retirement age of 70, a matter that has been raised on numerous occasions over recent years with the previous Minister for Education, Deputy Norma Foley. I will raise it with the present Minister too. I know it is a decision more for Bus Éireann than for the Department but it is nonsensical, as I have said so often, that the same bus drivers are prohibited from doing the school run but can collect the children and bring them to a sports event while working for a private company. It does not make any sense but it is a rule that Bus Éireann has. If dealt with, it would make such a difference.

Senator McCarthy has welcomed the approval of the national planning framework. I hope we will get a chance to debate it in this House. He also raised matters relating to inheritance tax laws. We will try to have a debate on issues with the Minister for Finance at a later date. In the absence of that, perhaps the Senator can table a Commencement matter.

Senator Craughwell has raised the grave concern of threats against Taiwan. The world is in such flux now. It is a grave concern that the good people of Taiwan would be targeted by China. I will ask for a debate on the matter with the Tánaiste as soon as possible.

Senator Sarah O'Reilly spoke of the issue of sepsis in hospitals. Unfortunately, having known people and their families who have lost loved ones in their teenage years and younger to sepsis, it is of grave concern. The Senator might table a Commencement matter. When the committee on health returns, perhaps it is an issue that the committee will look at.

Senator Kelleher raised the issue of a loophole under one of the health Acts relating to alcohol consumption and 0.0% products. He gave statistics about this. It is a valid point. The Senator might table a Commencement matter to see if he can get clarity on the issue and whether the Department and Minister have any plans to deal with it, because it is a valid concern that the work and decisions made by the Houses of the Oireachtas to reduce the marketing of alcohol would be circumvented in that fashion.