Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)

I thank all of the Senators for their contributions, starting with Senator Linda Nelson Murray and her ongoing campaign regarding personal injury awards. Senators O'Donovan and O'Loughlin also commented on this matter. I fully agree regarding the importance of this issue. This matter will be discussed by the Cabinet subcommittee on insurance. Much work has been done over the past decade by successive Ministers concerning reform of the insurance industry. The benefits have been seen in reduced premiums and payouts. As the Senator highlighted, however, there are still comparisons to be made between this country and the UK. I certainly accept and acknowledge the Senator's work in relation to the importance of an SME test on this matter. I am sure this issue will be fully debated by all the Ministers and officials at the Cabinet subcommittee. I certainly hope they will be able to deal adequately with this issue and that we will not see an award of the scale referred to. This matter must also go to the Cabinet for a decision. We will watch this space with interest because it is an important issue.

Senator Craughwell raised the topic of the MV Matthew, commended the work done by the Army Rangers and all involved in that operation, and again highlighted issues regarding cybersecurity. This is an issue close to the Senator's heart but it is also an extremely important issue in relation to the HSE. There is a risk to our State from cybersecurity attacks. I join the Senator in commending all involved in the seizure of that ship.

Senator O'Loughlin spoke about skin cancer and Senator Maria Byrne raised the linked issue of sunbeds. Senator Byrne had a Commencement matter a couple of weeks ago concerning sunscreen as well. This matter has been debated before and there are issues with different rates of VAT. The Minister has stated it is not possible. Again, this is an issue that needs to be fully debated and explored in relation to what is possible and whether this issue needs to be led from Europe, because VAT is a competency of the European Union. I do not know. Regarding banning sunbeds, a body of work was done before and legislation was passed to ban sunbeds for those aged under 16. Is this being enforced? Anecdotally, we hear it is not. It should be because it is a health protection measure. The legislation was passed by the Oireachtas, so enforcement is needed. As the Senator said, the Taoiseach responded to the suggestion of a possible ban here too. No decision has been made, but I am sure it will be examined, perhaps by the health committee too, of which the Senator is a member. This would be positive.

Senator O'Loughlin also raised the issue of visas, as did Senator Andrews, in relation to Palestinians coming here. Perhaps the Senators could together submit a Commencement matter for debate on Thursday or next week and they might be able to get an answer on this matter. I will raise it with the Tánaiste in the meantime.

Senators Conor Murphy and Fitzpatrick had differing views on the issue of GPO. I am not sure I will be able to sort out those differing views here today, but it is an iconic building. I certainly hope the plans for the GPO and the greater plans for Dublin city will be successful in terms of bringing life back to O'Connell Street and inner-city Dublin, getting people living there and bringing vibrancy and improved safety. These aspects are all part of the plans and I am sure they will be debated. I will request a debate with the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, on this matter.

Senator Kennelly raised a matter regarding voter personation and a court case, which I will not mention. Obviously, the Electoral Commission is the body now charged with the oversight of all electoral registers and the running of elections. I will raise this issue with the Minister, Deputy Browne, or the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, in respect of the franchise section of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. It is a real issue. This would not be the only case where there would be suspicions. There have been cases where there were suggestions polling cards had been sold for a pint of Guinness or whatever else. A better system needs to be examined, where there is voter ID, the use of PPS numbers or something like that. As I said, the Electoral Commission is the body charged with that.

Senator Boyhan raised the issue of the new housing plan and when it might be published. I will try to get an update on it. He also sought information on the PPP bundle in a development in Athy in County Kildare. Again, I will try to get information on the matter. The Minister, Deputy Browne, the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, and the Department have been proposing and enacting a great deal of legislation and changes to try to boost housing supply, some of which we will see on Thursday and next week. Previous changes have been enacted by this House. In respect of the housing plans, there has been a body of positive work done over the last while. Senator Murphy O'Mahony raised the issue of safety on our roads for the All-Ireland final. It is two Munster teams. She has appealed for Irish Rail and coach providers to provide more services. I agree with that. It makes absolute sense that there would be additional services. I hope Iarnród Éireann and the private and public coach providers will respond to that.

D'ardaigh an Seanadóir Ní Chuilinn ceist maidir leis an liúntas do mhúinteoirí Gaeilge. Bhí mé sna Tithe seo nuair a cuireadh deireadh leis an liúntas sin. Is ceist í don Aire Oideachais agus Óige, atá ag ullmhú don bhuiséad. Tá deis ag an Seanadóir an cheist seo a ardú mar Ní i dTosach Suí. Is ceist thábhachtach í. Ardóidh mé í leis an Aire, an Teachta McEntee. Is ceist fhíorthábhachtach í an difríocht sin idir múinteoirí sna scoileanna taobh amuigh den scéim aitheantais agus dóibh sna scoileanna laistigh di. Is ceist thábhachtach í.

Senator P. J. Murphy raised the issue of the Kilmacduagh round tower. It is an iconic building on the outside of Gort town. There are concerns about its structural stability. He may submit a Commencement matter to the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works or the Minister of State with responsibility for heritage, Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan. Both Ministers of State may have a role, but the Minister of State for heritage would have a role initially. Any work that would be needed, if it was deemed to be appropriate, would be vested or charged to the Office of Public Works for carrying out.

Senator Ryan called for a debate on the future of healthcare on the island. I will try to organise that. There is an amount of collaboration at the moment, whether it be between Letterkenny University Hospital and Altnagelvin Area Hospital or other facilities along the Border. It is an important issue. It makes sense to provide that co-operation between the health services on both sides of the Border, including the ambulance services.

Senator O'Donovan mentioned the cost of business and competitiveness. He referenced the 9% VAT rate. That is a commitment in the programme for Government. He called for supports for chambers of commerce in some of their endeavours. There are different funding schemes and sources that come out - some regularly, some less regularly - to support initiatives and community groups around the country. The work chambers do in supporting the work of our business community should be acknowledged. I will raise this with the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Deputy Burke.

Senator Boyle acknowledged the tragic passing of Natalie and Ella McLaughlin. May they rest in peace. He also raised the matters of dementia and legal costs. The Senator can perhaps put down a Commencement matter on the topic. He might get a more direct response. It is one of those things that would be better answered by the Department of justice, but it is a health matter, so he may not get the best response. He can raise the issue with the Minister of Health initially as the first port of call.

Senator O'Reilly raised the issue of IPAS residents being forced into homeless emergency accommodation. I do not have an adequate answer on that. We have responsibilities to ensure people are housed, but it does not make a lot of sense if they are being moved from one service in a way that puts pressure on other services. I have asked the Minister for State at the Department of justice to come to the House to address issues of migration. I am not sure if we will have that debate before the recess, but it will certainly be as soon as possible because it is an important issue.

Senator McDowell raised the matter of Gaza. Perhaps we can discuss that at the meeting of the leaders and Whips on Wednesday or Thursday, whenever that meeting is scheduled. I will engage with the Tánaiste's office to see what motion might be possible and be acceptable to Members.Senator McCarthy raised the case of Ryan Cornelius in Dubai, who has been in prison for an extended period. I am not familiar with the background of the case. Perhaps he could raise it directly with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade or table a Commencement matter on it. Unfortunately, I am not fully au faitwith the background to the case.

Senator Mullen welcomed the announcement by the Cabinet of the establishment of a commission of investigation into allegations of historical sexual abuse in schools across the country, and the appointment of Mr. Justice Michael McGrath as chair of the commission. The terms of reference are due to be published and agreed. I wish the commission well in its work in the coming years.