Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)

I thank all Senators for their contributions this afternoon.

Senator O'Loughlin spoke on several issues. She congratulated the Kildare manager and players on winning the Tailteann Cup. She also raised an issue regarding Kildare Village. She called for a debate on matters relating to on-the-job learning with the Minister, Deputy Lawless, in September. I will certainly endeavour to facilitate that. The Senator also raised issues regarding water reservoirs in Allenwood and the N81 Tallaght-Tullow road, which is in urgent need of upgrading. Perhaps the housing committee is the best place to raise issues relating to Uisce Éireann. The Senator might also table a Commencement debate on either of those issues to get a better answer than I would.

Senator Kennelly wished all the teams playing in the all-Ireland football and hurling finals well. Maybe he did not wish them equally well but he wished them all well and safe travel. He also raised the issue of Irish Rail and the increased demand in services with the all-Ireland finals coming up. He has called for additional services, more trains, more seats, catering and proper planning by Iarnród Éireann in the timing of additional trains. There is no use in putting them on just as the final whistle goes. There needs to be a bit of time to allow people to get to Heuston Station, Connolly Station or wherever they are going. I certainly agree with that.

Senator Mullen raised the issue of the 10,852 abortions in 2024. He is right when he says that behind every one of those figures is a tragic situation for the unborn and, I suspect, a very difficult decision for each woman - in some cases, a child or teenager - and family who found themselves with a pregnancy and made a difficult decision. It is important - this was discussed in the committee - that women and girls who find themselves pregnant are fully aware of their options. The option chosen may not always be termination. They should be made aware of other supports as well as abortion. Concerns have been expressed to me regarding whether those supports are being provided and whether women and girls are being told of the supports and options available to them, not just termination. I know that legislation was being talked about. A review took place at the health committee, organised by the Minister for Health, in the last term. I am sure this issue will be discussed in the Oireachtas in this term as well.

Senator McCormack mentioned that a Sinn Féin motion on endometriosis care will be debated in the Dáil today. I do not know what the Cabinet decision in that regard was. I hope there will be a positive debate on this and I am sure there will be. The Senator also expressed concerns about passport queries, particularly one we come across often where someone gets the form stamped in a local Garda station which may not be a 24-7 station and may therefore be unmanned when someone from the Passport Office rings if nobody is there to answer the phone. As the Senator said, sometimes some of the busier Garda stations can have issues in this regard. Perhaps there is a need for a centralised, staffed Garda line where all passports that have been stamped can be submitted. That would possibly be a better way to deal with this issue. I will certainly raise it with the Minister.

Senator Comyn spoke about the National Day of Commemoration in Kilmainham. I know there were various commemorations. I was at one organised by Galway City Council in the quadrangle at the University of Galway. They are very nice and important events. It is worth people attending where they can. She also raised issues regarding veterans' supports, such as housing and healthcare support and dignity.She called for a possible veterans support bureau, possibly located in the GPO. She is right about veterans support, something that has been touched upon at the defence committee and we have it on our agenda for the next term. It is something that needs greater examination.

Senator Keogan raised INMO decisions on the WPATH standards of care. I am not fully familiar with that group. I would hope that in any vote within any union that there would be a debate and that all information would provided, and I must assume that it was in that case. I will certainly request a further debate in this House on gender and sex policy.

Senator Costello again made an impassioned contribution regarding the use of sunbeds and the illegal use of sunbeds by those under the age of 16, indeed by ten-year-olds in some cases, as she mentioned. She expressed grave concern about high exposure to UV rays and said that Ireland has one of the highest incidence of melanoma. Again, I will bring this to the attention of the Minister and we will see what decision can be made on how best to deal with this as a public health matter. That is important.

Senator Collins raised the issue of the full and half rate carer's payments. She called on the Minister for Social Protection to look at cases where there are a number of disabled persons in one house. That is a valid query and perhaps the Senator should raise it on the Commencement. If she can give a real-life example without using names, it may bring home to the Minister the reality on the ground in certain situations. As I said, it is not very prevalent but it does arise in a small number of situations.

Senator Boyhan raised the motion about outdoor dining which is due to come before the Houses of the Oireachtas. He expressed concern regarding people with disabilities and young children being impacted by outdoor furniture. It is a valid point. As I understand it, these went before the committee last week for agreement. I am not sure if there was a thorough debate on that or whether it is a roll-over from year to year. He has raised valid concerns on that and it is something the Minister needs to take account of each year when these are being reviewed.

Senator McCarthy talked about the spread of ragwort, which is of course a noxious weed. It is not a nice sight to see because in many cases it arises on abandoned land or disturbed land around the country. We see it on road margins, including motorway margins. In many cases the Department of agriculture needs to do more to step in and notify the local authorities that there is a noxious weed growing on their lands. There may also be an issue with farms.

Senator Flaherty raised the issue of boating on the River Shannon and asked me to write to the Minister for housing regarding by-laws. He might contact me regarding which exact by-laws he is talking about. It is important that there is consultation and that anything that might happen only happens after a proper debate on the matter at the appropriate committee. If he contacts me regarding that, I will certainly alert the Minister for housing in this regard.