Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)

I thank Senators for this contributions. Senator O'Loughlin raised the fact no music festival since 2018 has been broadcast or streamed by RTÉ. I agree with the statement by the Music and Entertainment Association of Ireland that the failure by RTÉ to cover Electric Picnic is a missed opportunity to showcase Irish performers. The Senator mentioned Junefest in Newbridge and the Fáilte Ireland briefing she attended. She raised the possibility of additional regional funding for Kildare.

Senator O'Loughlin also talked about the IVF legislation, in the formulation of which she played an integral part, working with the then Minister, Stephen Donnelly. She called for changes to the eligibility criteria such that those who have had IVF treatment in the past are not excluded. I will raise that with the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill.

Senator Duffy raised the lack of pay parity as between Tús and RSS supervisors and CE supervisors. He noted that an assistant CE supervisor gets more or less the same pay on a yearly basis as does a supervisor in Tús and the RSS. These matters are all in the mix in the Department of Social Protection. I understand CE supervisors are employed by local community companies, whereas Tús and the RSS are administered by community development companies. Therein may lie the difference. The Senator might get some clarity by raising this issue as a Commencement matter. I will raise it with the Minister.

Senator Conway spoke about the connections between Ireland and Japan. The Taoiseach is in Japan at the moment and has met with the Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Ishiba. Trade missions and visits like this are important in cementing the relationship between our two countries and growing trade and partnership. The Senator also spoke about Lafcadio Hearn and gave a great history of his work and his connections to the Tramore area.

Senator Andrews called for a debate with the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, on the redevelopment of the GPO, which I will try to arrange. The plans for the GPO, which will go to the Cabinet shortly, include a museum. I hope the redevelopment will bring life back to the north inner city. O'Connell Street is our main thoroughfare and the GPO is an iconic building. I hope whatever plans are finally agreed bring new life and energy to that part of our capital city.

Senator Paul Daly congratulated Councillor Aoife Davitt, sister of our colleague Senator Davitt, on becoming the first female cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council. I concur with that and wish her well in what I hope will be a productive and enjoyable term for her. The Senator also called for a debate on food security, which I support. CAP was originally put in place to provide food security for Europe after the Second World War. Indeed, the establishment of the EEC was about food security, and CAP is integral to that. There is a lot happening at the moment regarding the MFF. I will request a debate with the Minister, Deputy Heydon, as soon as possible.

Senator P. J. Murphy spoke about the issuing of online sick notes and prescriptions. The ingenuity of people in coming up with schemes for making money never ceases to amaze me. It certainly seems strange that this can be allowed. I concur with the Senator's call for a review of the matter by the Medical Council. It is important that people who have a valid illness can obtain the sick certificate and the days off work to which they are entitled. However, having an online system and a drop-down menu seems very strange. I agree there should be a review by the Medical Council. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, to pursue the matter.

Senator Craughwell raised the upcoming commemorations on 12 and 13 July of the Irish citizens and peacekeepers who lost their lives in various wars. He mentioned the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War cemetery. Both he and Senator O'Donovan applauded those involved in the seizure of drugs worth €30 million off the coast at Courtmacsherry. I congratulate all who worked to achieve that. Such operations can be painstaking in terms of time, intelligence and all else that goes with them.

Senator O'Donovan called for a debate on policing in rural Ireland. The allocation of gardaí is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. Garda numbers are a matter of funding and support provided by the State. Changes have been made over a number of years to the age of entry to and retirement from An Garda Síochána to assist in growing the numbers. That is working but the allocations are a matter for the Commissioner. I will request a debate on the matter. In addition, we will have statements on drugs next week with the Minister for Health.

Senators Fitzpatrick and Mullen acknowledged the passing of Brother Kevin Crowley, who came to Dublin 56 years ago as a Capuchin friar and did great work in the subsequent years in assisting people who needed help. I am sure thousands have passed through his door in that period and were given support. I convey my sympathies to his family and his Capuchin friar colleagues. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Senator Brady raised the interesting point that Ireland, Belgium and Sweden are the only three countries in Europe not to recognise chess as a sport rather than a game. I hope to have statements on sport in the last week of the term with the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, and the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan. The Senator will have an opportunity to raise the issue then or he might choose to raise it as a Commencement matter. It is an interesting proposition. If we are an outlier without good reason on this matter, it makes sense that we should recognise chess as a sport.

Senator Gallagher called for a debate on housing, particularly in respect of funding for the use of over-the-shop units. The croí cónaithe scheme has made excellent progress across the country in bringing new life back to rural and urban communities. It has been a huge success and I certainly would support its extension. I will try to arrange a debate on that.

Senator Lynch again raised the issue of adult disability day services and the disparity in provision as between those aged under and over 18. I will again request a debate on this, but the question is with which Minister it should be. Part of the problem is that, as with many such issues, a number of Departments are involved. The Departments of disability, Transport and Health need to come together as a sort of working group and one of them, probably the Department of disability, needs to be the lead Department. One way to go would be for the Senator to engage with the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, to request that a working group be established under her Department and work with the Departments of Transport and Health to find a solution to this problem. I will also engage with the Minister of State on the matter.

Senators Sarah O'Reilly and Mullen referred to hate speech and the EU requirements in this regard. The Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, is examining the issue. There are suggestions that legislation must be implemented by 13 July, which is unlikely to happen at this stage. We are awaiting a response from the Minister as to how he plans to proceed on the recommendations from the European Commission.