Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the fact there are half a million people facing starvation. There is no doubt we all feel devastated by what is going on since the horrific attacks on 7 October. Nothing can ever take away from how horrific those attacks were, but what has happened since has been completely disproportionate.The Senator is right in saying we need to recommit to calling for a ceasefire and, collectively, to recommit to looking for a two-state solution. I spoke recently about a decision at an Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting that I and Senator Duffy were at. A resolution was passed unanimously by 180 countries looking for a two-state solution, which is the longer term solution. What is happening now, however, is absolutely horrific in terms of both food and water not getting to the people living in Gaza and, of course, what Israel is planning to do in terms of upping its military game. Last week Ireland issued a joint statement expressing huge concern together with about six other countries.

As regards the occupied territories Bill, I agree we need to have a full debate in this House and ask where it is at. The Tánaiste met with Senator Black last week to discuss it. Apparently, it was quite a positive and constructive meeting and they will meet again soon. As we know, the Attorney General had been working on the Bill and looking at ways of ensuring that Bill, or a similar one with the same intention, would be legally robust and would stand up. That is what we need. Senators Clonan and Noonan spoke about the same issue. It is absolutely shocking. I will ask for a full debate with the Tánaiste purely on the issue of Gaza, giving us the up-to-date position, including where the occupied territories Bill is at. We need to know that and we need to know the nuances around it. I am totally happy to look for that this evening.

Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about the National College of Ireland's early learning initiative. It sounds fantastic. It sounds nearly like a cross between a home school liaison and what our public health nurses are doing. To see a third level and further level college doing that in the community within which it is situated is wonderful, and I have no doubt that will give huge value to the communities and to the generations coming through. We need to see more of that. That could possibly be rolled out in other areas as well, particularly in areas of deprivation.

Senator Fitzpatrick also spoke about post offices. Councillor Tom O'Callaghan came in and gave a briefing as to where the situation is at. All our communities and villages and towns that we all represent would be lost without the post office network. For many people, especially those who are older, their weekly visit to the post office might be their only social contact. We will look for a debate on the future of the network. To be fair, a lot has been put in place in terms of extra services that post offices can provide. When I went to buy a Leap card the other day, it was great to be able to go to the post office and do that. There are other services, but I have no doubt we all have ideas and suggestions we can bring forward to this, so I am happy to look for that debate also.

Senator Boyle spoke about the very sad situation of the two young men who were drowned in Donegal. We join the Senator in giving his very deepest sympathies to the families. Somebody I know has a connection with the families, with the boys, very fine young people and families left devastated in a community that has seen an awful lot of grief. We share the Senator's sympathies.

Senator Boyle also spoke about the National Ambulance Service and the need for the review. He spoke about a specific situation. It is shocking when we hear of any situation where people are left without a timely service. We can ask for that debate, certainly, but I think the Senator should also go further with that specific case as a particular situation. Senator Clonan spoke passionately, as he always does, about the situation in Gaza. When we think of 2025, the year that we are living in, and we look back at the time of the diary of Anne Frank, I remember as a young child reading that and wondering how it could happen, and all the adults in my life saying nobody in the world knew that was happening at the time. We all know about what is happening now. It adds to that sense of helplessness.

Senator Collins spoke about the lack of home help and two particular situations. I genuinely do not know if those two families have been given hours but cannot get the individuals, or whether they were just not given those hours. There are two sides to it. If they were not given the hours that they clearly need, that is a problem. Equally, maybe they have been given the hours but there is a problem trying to get people to work with them. Either way it is a problem. We have always prided ourselves on trying to ensure that people can live independently in their homes as long as they can. We must do more and more. There have been difficulties recruiting home help workers. I see that right across the country and indeed in my own constituency. We will certainly look for the Minister to come in because it is an important issue. We need to make sure that we have the correct policies in place. We will ask the Minister to come in for that.

Senator Noonan spoke about the damning report on septic tank inspections and the inconsistencies with the regime. We absolutely need consistency across the board, in terms of the inspections and the reports. The Senator raised the possibility of looking for free well water testing. That would play a positive role, I think. Obviously, there would be a cost to the State which would have to be queried. There are certainly public health risks in terms of problems and contamination of water. We will look for a debate on the whole area.

Senator Duffy spoke about the No Name Club and the new strategy. No Name Club has always been a great organisation which empowers young people and encourages them to have positive activities without the necessity to look for alcohol or whatever. It is great to hear there is a new strategy in that regard. I am looking forward to hearing more about it. The Senator also spoke about the horrific situation that is human trafficking. It is going on in every village and every town. There are these temporary brothels set up. Young women are coming in under the illusion of getting a job and having a new life and their passports are taken from them. It is shocking. It is modern day sex slavery, essentially. Well done to those who had that conference, Hidden in Plain Sight. We need to do more of it. I know through the years there have been different presentations by Ruhama and others in the audiovisual room. I am sure they will be coming back to us again. It is certainly something we need to be aware of.

Senator Boyhan spoke about the Bord Bia report, which highlighted €17 billion of exports. The Senator also highlighted Bloom, which is coming up. It is always a fantastic initiative and I love going to it. I think Senator Duffy has a particular interest in going this year. I look forward to being there. Senator Boyhan is correct in saying there are serious issues and concerns regarding tariffs and trade. The foreign affairs and trade committee is having its first meeting today and this will be very high on its agenda. I know the Cathaoirleach has proposed setting up a special select committee in the Seanad to deal with trade issues. Within those two places, we certainly have the opportunity. We can look for a general debate on the matter also. Senator Maria Byrne spoke about BusConnects and the Annacotty Business Park not being catered for. That is short-sighted. In Kildare, I do find the Local Link bus helpful. The NTA is quite helpful in discussing possibilities and the extension of existing links. I hope it can be solved at a local level. If not, the Senator has our support in bringing it up at a national level. While we try to support public transport and encourage people to use it, we need to make sure those links work.

Senator Nelson Murray spoke about the consultation concerning insurance reforms. I looked at that last week and there were only five submissions.