Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)

I thank all Senators for their contributions this morning, starting with Senator Rabbitte, who gave sound advice ahead of the bank holiday weekend and indeed ahead of the summer to those who will be swimming to take care, be safe, abide by signs and to swim near lifeguards. It is important that people take care over the weekend and over the summer. She quite rightly talked about the possibilities of advancing the curriculum with regard to swimming. We should certainly have a debate on that matter when there is an opportunity.

Senator P. J. Murphy talked about Dunguaire Castle in beautiful Kinvara, a very scenic location, which quite rightly gets many tourist stops. He stated that Galway County Council has taken ownership of it but does not have money to run the facility, which begs the question of why it took ownership and the Office of Public Works did not take ownership. As needs be, I suggest that he table a Commencement matter to see if the Office of Public Works could get involved in ensuring that this important facility for the local community, and part of our heritage, is reopened.

Senator Mullen talked about international surrogacy and the forthcoming amendment to the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024. There is still some way to go on that Bill. It is being drafted and is some way off. He raised concern about Part 8 of the existing legislation and whether it is compatible with an EU directive. If there are issues in that regard, they may be raised with both the Attorney General and the Minister as part of the drafting and the legislative process.

Senator Andrews put forward compelling concerns regarding abuse at St. John's Ambulance and Dr. Shannon's report. He talked about the systemic failures. I understand that the Minister, Deputy Foley, has stated that she has no plans for an inquiry into this matter. I will raise it again for a debate in these Houses.

Senator Paul Daly raised child safety as the summer holidays approach and all those children who will be out and about on farms, where there are hazards. As well as great enjoyment and a great upbringing, there can be hazards on our farms. He talked about the primary school art exhibition to promote farm safety. I know there is a website, agrikids.ie, which helps to promote farm safety. I encourage all Members to be cognisant of and try to promote that in their communities.

Senator Lynch talked about the widow's pension and concerns regarding the inability to draw down two social welfare payments. I suggest that she tables a Commencement debate with the Minister on that matter. It is an important issue and she has raised valid points. She might talk with colleagues on the social protection committee to see if that can be raised. The first port of call would be a Commencement debate with the Minister, Deputy Calleary.

Senator Boyhan talked about the Samaritans. I was at their launch last week. He has talked about the work done by Dr. Keith Swanick on the report on loneliness. I was at the launch of that report five years or so ago. It is an important issue. It is difficult to solve but it is a real issue. As the Senator said, you can be as lonely and disheartened in New York city or Dublin city as you can be up a bóithrín or a mountain. It is a real issue. If there is a possibility of having a debate on that report, I will certainly try to organise that. Perhaps Dr. Swanick might be invited back to debate that if possible.

Senators Gallagher and Fitzpatrick raised the issue of Shane O'Farrell and the apology. I commend the Minister, Jim O'Callaghan, on his advocacy and his apology in the Dáil yesterday to the family of Shane O'Farrell. I commend the long-standing advocacy of Shane's parents, Lucia and Jim, and the family who were present. I know they have had many difficult years. I hope that yesterday was some comfort but obviously it will not bring Shane back. Still, an important process was gone through.

Senator Fitzpatrick commended all involved in enhancing the Royal Canal. I would like to join with her on that.

Senator Craughwell raised the issue of the triple lock and air traffic controllers. I know he is a member of the Committee on Defence and National Security, as I am. I know these issues will be discussed with regard to the work programme at our meeting tomorrow. We will have time to arrange such debates on the air traffic controllers. We are carrying out pre-legislative scrutiny on the triple lock at the moment.

Senator Dee Ryan spoke about Twilight Thursdays. I wish the participants and all who will enjoy the safe spaces across Limerick well. I extend my compliments to the night-time economy manager. I wish them well in all that goes on there.

Senator Clonan raised J1 visas, which are an important issue for so many Irish youngsters and students. It is a sort of rite of passage to go to the United States on a J1 visa. My niece went to Chicago last week and I had a nephew in Berkeley last year. It is important. A month ago, either the president or somebody senior in the Union of Students in Ireland talked about the concerns and advised students to take down posts that may be problematic for them. As Senators know, the United States is a good friend of Ireland, but it is their country and their rules. I certainly hope that the J1 visa and its future are not under threat. I hope that these issues will be raised in the engagement between our two countries at the highest level and that there will be no issues with the generations of Irish youngsters who go to the United States.

Senator McCarthy talked about end-of-life care and bereavement. Delivering compassion in our system is an important issue, which many of us here would have had experience of with our own families and loved ones. Most people would wish to be able to die in comfort in their own home. Where the State and family can facilitate that, it is the least that can be done. I compliment Senator McCarthy's advocacy on behalf of his good friend and hope that he has comfort in his final time. I will raise this and see if we can have a debate on this matter as well. Senator Sarah O'Reilly talked of EDIT and the campaign group in respect of inheritance tax. I was at the briefing in the audiovisual room yesterday, where the group made very valid points about their concerns that they are discriminated against. It is not just an issue of financial matters but one of equality. The group has engaged with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, and the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Deputy Foley, and has advocates in both Houses on this matter. Perhaps colleagues on the finance committee could examine it and see if it can be raised as an issue over the coming weeks, before negotiations and more detailed work on the budget take place.

Finally, Senator Duffy has raised the issue of the Western Care Association and wished it well on its official opening. He raised eligibility issues with the rural social scheme. I do not have an update on what has been planned but it is certainly very important. He has sought information in the past on Tús as well. I suggest that he propose a Commencement debate on the matter, which is very important, particularly when we have such high levels of employment. It is difficult to find people to do the valuable work of some of our social schemes, including Tús schemes, which are hugely important. Eligibility is an issue that is often raised. Where we can, we should try to maximise participation on these schemes across rural and urban Ireland.