Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)

I thank all Senators for their contributions this afternoon to the Order of Business, starting with Senator O'Loughlin, who mentioned Jenny Poole and her brother, Jason, and his advocacy, and welcomed the positive work that has been done on bringing forward legislation in relation to Jenny's Law. I look forward to debating that in the course of the coming months.

The Senator also mentioned her work colleague, Chloe Ray, and Leah O’Gorman, who has written to a number of people regarding the use of mobile phones, battery warnings and the use of phones near water. The standard is still that bathrooms should not have electrical outlets for that reason, but she makes a valid point. We will engage with Ministers on that particular issue.

Senator O’Loughlin also mentioned the availability of HRT for those with early menopause. I will engage with the Minister, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill on that matter. It is hugely important.

Senator Maria Byrne welcomed the fact that 18,000 persons are in receipt of the companion pass starting today, the International Day of Older Persons. She mentioned supports for persons suffering from loneliness and all the various initiatives for women's and men's groups, including the ICA, men's sheds and women's sheds, and the importance of those groups in that social interaction for older persons. I certainly agree with that. The Senator also mentioned the high level of dereliction in Limerick city and called for a task force. I suggest she put down a Commencement debate on that matter.

Senator Clonan raised the issue of the triple lock and neutrality. We will have an opportunity in the coming months, once the legislation is published, to debate these very important matters. Of course, the five permanent members of the Security Council presently have a veto in relation to where Irish troops are sent, and that is what the legislation will look to remove.

Senator Tully quite rightly raised the issue of asthma and the fact that we have one of the highest rates in the world. Hospitalisation rates are high. The Senator called for a register of those with severe asthma and increased capacity for asthma suffers. I am not privy to what might be in the budget regarding the Department of Health, but I ask her to continue to raise that matter through these Houses and possibly through a Commencement debate.

Senator Noonan called for a debate on the UN at 80, which I will request. He also called for reform of the United Nations, something that I know was debated during the pre-legislative scrutiny of the triple lock Bill in the defence committee, of which I am a member. I will certainly request that. The Senator also called a review of the gender recognition legislation and advanced rights for transgender persons. I suggest he put down his thoughts on that in a Commencement debate to see exactly which points he wants to have pursued.

Senator Higgins raised the matter of the EU Council trade agreement with Morocco. I do not have information on that. I am not sure if it would have to come before these Houses to be signed. I will check it out and revert to the Senator. She also raised the issues surrounding international law and the occupation of Western Sahara. I will check whether that has to come before this House. Perhaps the Cathaoirleach can ask whether inaccurate information, or information that is not up to date, should I say, is being provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Senator Paul Daly quite rightly spoke of farm safety. I know he did raise this matter, and I will request a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Healy-Rae and the Minister of State, Deputy Butler.The Senator made a valid point about having two Ministers of State for that issue. There are many topics where something similar would be desirable. I will certainly see if that is possible. The Senator makes a valid point about physical health and mental health for farmers.

Senator P. J. Murphy raised the cases in south-east Galway of turf lying wet on bogs because of a High Court injunction from the National Parks and Wildlife Service. I suggest that the Senator table a Commencement matter. I have been contacted by people about it. If the offer is not good enough, then it is incumbent on the National Parks and Wildlife Service to look again, but I am not privy to the exact offer that is on the table. I suggest that the Senator table a Commencement matter to debate with the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan.

Senator Keogan raised the drop in tourist numbers. She will be delighted to know that Ireland had more tourists this August than last August, according to the latest figures from the CSO, and she has raised a number of concerns relating to this. The world is unsettled. The dollar is weak. Different things like that impact on tourist numbers. I will certainly request a debate with the Minister, Deputy Burke, on the overall issue of tourism, because it is an important economic driver in this country.

Senator Curley raised matters regarding the electricity supply, VAT on solar panel batteries, nominal fees for solar panel providers, and grants for batteries. I suggest that the Senator table a Commencement matter because it is quite a specific topic. There are obviously issues relating to VAT laws. There have been a number of requests at different times to remove VAT on different things. There are quite strict criteria. Regarding the other issues, perhaps there could be a debate with the Minister for energy, Deputy O'Brien. I will request a debate on renewables as well in that regard.

Senator Lynch raised a serious concern regarding deer wandering on the Macroom bypass since it opened and has called for strengthening of deer management and compensation schemes. I am not sure if there is deer fencing along the bypass. I will raise the matter with the Minister, Deputy Heydon. I know he will be in later on for Private Member's business.

Senator Sarah O'Reilly raised the issue of older persons with regard to residential care. It is something that we all come across from time to time, where we have elderly parents looking after a loved one. They obviously know that they will not be there forever and they are concerned about their adult children and where they will end up. The State often does not have answers except to say that their loved ones will be looked after. I know that is not always good enough for parents, who want to know exactly what the plan is. I will certainly raise this. The Senator could perhaps table a Commencement matter but I will request a debate with the Minister on the matter of residential care, because it is very important.

Senator Cathal Byrne raised the matter of pupil-teacher ratios and a number of other aspects relating to the funding of education. We will await next week's budget, whether that has all been settled or not yet. I remind the Senator that, as he knows, we have high standards of education with regard to access and quality and we have high PISA scores, which are reflective of the investment that successive Governments have made in education. We need to provide that investment.

Senator Ruane raised the global flotilla to Gaza. I am aware that our colleague, Senator Andrews, is in that flotilla and that it has been the subject of drone attacks and is in danger of being intercepted. The Department and the Tánaiste and Minister for foreign affairs are aware of this matter and are deeply concerned by reports of attacks. The Tánaiste has engaged with the EU High Representative and EU counterparts on this matter. We will certainly ensure that consular support is provided to Irish citizens. We will keep monitoring that situation too.

Senator Joe Conway raised the presidential election and called out the coarseness of some debate, particularly online, that we have discussed here so often. We certainly hope that there is a genuine debate on the role of the Presidency and the vision that the candidates have for the Presidency, that the debate is respectful, that the Irish people make their decision, and that we will have a new President in the coming weeks who is someone we can be proud of and who can present a vision for this country here and represent us positively abroad.