Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators for their contributions here today. Senator O'Loughlin and Senator Nelson Murray raised the issue of insurance. I know certainly that Senator Nelson Murray has been a strong advocate for insurance reform, the limiting of unjust claims and, as result, trying to keep insurance costs low for businesses. I will ask the Minister to come in to the House to have a debate on this very important issue.

Senator Boyle again raised the issue of the National Ambulance Service and gave the testimony regarding the poor unfortunate individual from Kilcar for whom it was three hours and 40 minutes after an accident before they reached the hospital. That cannot be accepted. I will ask the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, to come to the House for a debate. I am aware the Senator will be appointed to the health committee and I am sure this issue will be raised by him at that committee during the course of its term.

Senator Boyhan raised the issue of the local government and democracy task force and the issue of the Housing Commission report. The Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, is due in the House on 27 May, as I understand. He was due in earlier but was called away to an EU Council meeting. The Senator will have an opportunity to raise issues regarding local government and democracy at that juncture. With regard to the Housing Commission report, we had the Minister, Deputy Browne, in the House recently, but I will see if he can come in again as soon as possible regarding the Housing Commission report.

Senator Conor Murphy raised the issue of voting rights and the presidential election and asked to speak to the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste. The Taoiseach has been invited to attend the House, it is hoped before the summer recess, subject to getting a date. Certainly the Senator will have an opportunity to raise that with him. This will be an issue that will also be raised at the committee on foreign affairs. The Senator is right to say there is no commitment in the programme for Government to any more referendums in the lifetime of this Government. Senator Noonan talked about water quality, redesign of ACRES, and flexibility for farmers. He also talked about the WaterMARKE programme led by Professor Cathal O’Donoghue from Teagasc. He raised some important issues regarding water quality. As the Senator knows, there was a Cabinet subcommittee on water quality the aim of which is to press for the nitrates derogation to continue. It has very important work to do. The Tánaiste is chairing that subcommittee. We will see what comes out of it. I will ask for a debate on that matter at the earliest opportunity.

Senator Ruane raised section 7A of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act and a review regarding the buying and selling of sex. I will ask the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, to come to the House to debate that matter.

Senator Curley referred to HHC, which is a synthetic vape drug that can be legally bought and advertised. The Senator raised concerns regarding seriously psychotic episodes resulting from taking this drug. He asked for a debate on the matter, for HHC's addition to the list of controlled substances and for the HSE to advise on this. As I understand it, this drug made its way into Europe in 2022 and, perhaps, to these shores somewhat later. I will ask for a debate on the matter. If the Senator wishes to table a Commencement matter, he might get a faster response. I am not sure if the Senator will be on the health committee. If not, he could talk to his colleagues to see whether this could be progressed through the health committee as well. It is an important issue and I will raise it up the line.

Senator Brady talked about the cost of TB to farming. The number of reactors has increased, doubling, I think, from 20,000 to 40,000, and there is a grave concern that it will increase further. The Minister is very conscious of this issue. We need to ensure that the review of the TB testing regime looks not only at the cost relating to the disease but also at its impact on livelihoods and animal welfare. I will raise that with the Minister as soon as possible.

Senator Craughwell commended all involved in the event at Arbour Hill, and I agree with him on that.

The Senator also referred to the issue of the search and rescue contract, which he has raised on numerous occasions. He was a member of the defence committee in the previous Oireachtas and I understand he would like to be a member the next iteration. I am sure he would like to raise the matter at that juncture.

The Senator also referred military radar. I understand procurement of military radar is likely to begin this year. I will raise the issue with the Minister, to come in and talk about the search and rescue issues.

Senators Margaret Murphy O’Mahony, McCormack and Andrews raised the issue - I will not say debacle, but perhaps that is what is - of skirts versus skorts, and players wishing to be able to wear what they want, including shorts. It is, as I understand, an issue for the Camogie Association. I hope that, as has been suggested, it can bring forward its review or recommendation on this. I am great believer in player power. I am sure that if the players join and become united on this matter, they can effect change. I will raise this with the Minister for sport.

Senator Rabbitte raised the Grace report. I and my office have made contact with the Minister, Deputy Foley, and her Department to arrange to have statements on the Grace report, which is a very large document. I understand there have been complaints about its formatting and readability. There is no doubting the seriousness of the issues at stake and the competence of the commission of inquiry. The matter deserves a debate in this House. I will request that again.

Senator Keogan raised concerns regarding the NCT. If she wishes to table a Commencement matter, she may get a faster response. However, I will raise the matter with the Minister for Transport.

Senator Scahill congratulated Dr. John Bosco Conama, and I join with her in doing so. The latter has a strong pedigree and is a strong advocate for and has made a great contribution to the deaf community. I wish Dr. Conama well.

Senator Tully spoke about recognition of driving licences between Ireland and Australia. Again, perhaps a Commencement matter might elicit a faster response – or not. This could be raised with the transport committee, but I will raise it with the Minister in any event. What has been suggested makes common sense. As I understand from my time in Australia, they drive on the same side of the road as we do here, so I imagine it should not be a big issue.

Senator O’Reilly raised concerns regarding the treatment, pay and conditions of cleaners and broadcasting staff who work in the Houses. This is a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. I am not sure if her party has a member on the commission, but there are Senators from the across this House across a number of groups who will be members of it.I recommend that the Senator write directly to the Cathaoirleach, who will be a member of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, to bring this matter forward for debate.

Senator Mullen raised harrowing testimony from Haiti. I will certainly request for the Minister to come to the House. Unfortunately, it is a part of the world that does not get a lot of attention unless there is an earthquake, a tsunami or something like that. The testimony the Senator read out from Ms Herrity is certainly harrowing, however, and I will raise this matter with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Senator Cosgrove raised concerns from the IFA in Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon regarding BISS, GAEC 2 and peat and mineral soils. I met with representatives of the IFA on a few occasions. I know they also met with the Minister, Deputy Heydon. I certainly put questions to him when he was in the House. He would be of the view that there is no impact on farmers and that, in the main, they will be able to continue what they are doing. Obviously, it is important the BISS forms be submitted on time, regardless of anything else, to ensure there are no penalties.

Clearly, concerns have been expressed. The Minister assured us, though, and is on record in this House as saying there will be no major impact on farmers. I know there is an issue concerning peat and mineral soils. If one parcel contains above 50% peat soil, then the full parcel is regarded as being peat soil. I have asked if the parcels can be split to ensure it is possible to have separate ones for peat soils and mineral soils. As I understand it, the maps and explanatory letters are to be sent out soon. Regardless of that, I urge all farmers to ensure the BISS forms are submitted before the deadline of 15 May. The Senator and the IFA and the INHFA suggested an extension be allowed. Unfortunately, however, there was a threat of penalties. There was a delay for several years and, as I understand it, this undertaking had to be put in place by 1 January. The Minister was under pressure in January to sign us up to ensure we avoided the penalties. It is something that has been brought to my attention, however, and I will engage further with the Minister on the issue.