Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)

I thank all Senators for their contributions. I will start with Senator O’Loughlin, who commented on her meeting in Athy with Jane Sanders and suggested that Bernie Sanders be invited to address the Seanad. It would be a matter for the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight, CPPO, at a later date to determine whether that was in the offing. She also commended the Civil Defence on its 75th anniversary and raised the tragic case of Fiona Pender, as did Senator Clifford-Lee. Our thoughts are with Fiona’s family nearly 30 years on from her disappearance. We hope there will be closure in that case in the coming days and weeks.

Senator Manus Boyle raised electric vehicle, EV, infrastructure. I appreciate it is an issue. While things have improved, there certainly is a way to go in ensuring there is adequate infrastructure and that the range concerns people have as a deterrent to purchasing EV cars can be rectified. I will certainly ask for a debate with the Minister for Transport and the Minister for environment in that regard.

Senator Joe Conway mentioned the Iranian situation and the awarding of the Palme d’Or to a director there. I will certainly have some engagement with those in the free Iran movement and I wish them well in that regard. The Senator mentioned there was cause for hope and I very much agree.

Senator Ryan has sent sympathies to the people of Liverpool. We all join with the people of Liverpool who are watching over loved ones. Hopefully, all those impacted by the incident yesterday will survive. Senator Ryan also called for a debate on youth and youth work, which I will certainly request. Senator Fitzpatrick also requested a debate on the issues of youth. She talked about Cabra for Youth, the strategic five-year plan and the need for friendly spaces for young people to live their lives in. I will request a debate with the Minister, Deputy Foley, in that regard.

Senator Costello raised the fourth annual Street Feast. I congratulate the people of Tallaght on what sounded like a wonderful weekend. I know a number of Street Feasts will be held in different parts of the country over the coming weeks. In Galway, we have one in Moycullen on 6 or 8 June and I will look forward to that.

Senator Comyn raised road fatalities, particularly among vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. Unfortunately, they are all too common. While we had a debate recently on road safety, I will request the Minister for Transport, Deputy O’Brien, to look again at this. It is possibly an issue that can be raised at the transport committee. If the Senator is not a member of that, she can engage with her colleagues in order that the issue can be pursued as a work item there. Senator Boyhan raised the discussions today on the local democracy task force. He asked for a debate on the Housing Commission reports, which I will certainly request with the Minister, Deputy Browne.

Senators Clifford-Lee and Dee Ryan spoke of alcohol addiction and addiction services for women, and they called for a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor. I will certainly request that with the Minister of State. There is still an issue with some Ministers of State getting their delegated functions, which has gone on for far too long. I have brought this to the attention of the Government. It is hoped that will be sorted soon to allow many Ministers to come to the House to talk about their specific areas of expertise.

Senator Ryan also talked about the visit by the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, to Limerick. It sounds like it was a busy, productive and worthwhile engagement over that day.

Senator Collins raised justice issues and concerns about happenings in Newcastle West. She requested a debate with the Minister for Justice and I will certainly request that as well.

Senator Keogan requested a debate with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, on the issue of the deposit return scheme. The scheme is certainly well-intentioned. I do not believe the intention was in any way for anybody to make profit out of it but to encourage full recycling of materials. That is why the incentive of the initial levy is there. It is fully recoverable if you return your can or whatever. I can request a debate. However, if the Senator wishes to put down a Commencement matter, she might get a more direct and immediate response.

Senator Andrews raised the issues of dog welfare and animal welfare. I apologise for missing his briefing today. It is an issue in which I am interested. I was at a committee meeting at the time that was on. The State is going to amend the regulations and incorporate an appeals mechanism. That is important in regard to the XL bully, which is banned. I will request that a Minister would come in. Part of the issue is that some of the functions lie with the Department of Rural and Community Development and others, in terms of animal welfare, with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. However, I will ask the Minister, Deputy Calleary, to come to the House to address the issues of the welfare of dogs and dog breeding establishments.

Senator Maria Byrne talked about BusConnects. I am surprised a local business park would not be connected as part of BusConnects. It would appear to be quite an obvious issue. She may wish to put down a Commencement matter to raise the issue. Part of the problem is that Ministers are not directly involved with these matters. The NTA is directly involved and, therefore, it is sometimes not answered by a Minister. It is an important issue. The NTA will be before the transport committee today or tomorrow. I do not know whether there will be an opportunity in that regard, but I expect there is a lot of interest in that particular matter.

Senator Sarah O'Reilly raised the tragic case of Shane O'Farrell. I welcome the fact there is to be an apology today. I do not know whether the Minister will make any other announcements. I certainly hope so but I do not know. I cannot speak for him. I welcome the fact the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, is making an apology to the family of Shane O'Farrell.

Senator Craughwell raised the ongoing war in and invasion of Ukraine and called for a debate. I will certainly ask for a debate. Despite all the other incidents across the world, in particular in the Middle East, we cannot forget the situation in Ukraine. The Tánaiste will be in the House on Thursday to discuss the issues in Gaza. I will certainly request a further debate on Ukraine in the coming weeks.