Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)

Go raibh maith agat. I also welcome the ambassadors to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery.

I thank all the Senators for their contributions this morning. Senator O’Loughlin acknowledged the new role for Séamus Boland of Irish Rural Link and Macra na Feirme. We wish him well in his new role with the European Economic and Social Committee. I have no doubt that he will do a tremendous job. She also welcomed the advocacy of and progress made by Jason Poole and his sister regarding Jennie’s Law. I wish that undertaking well too. The Senator called for a debate about local government staffing, which I request from the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Senator called for additional staff for County Kildare. I have no doubt that many other local authorities have needs as well.

Senator Ahearn acknowledged the inclusion of County Tipperary in Lonely Planet’s annual review of 25 top destinations. We obviously know of the beauty of County Tipperary. Food producers were a key issue raised. The Senator spoke about the increasing number of tourists in Cahir and Cashel, where we have the Rock of Cashel, of course, which is phenomenal. When tourists fly into Shannon Airport and Ireland Airport West Knock on the way to Galway, we can send them on to County Tipperary after they leave.

Senator McCarthy, supported by Senator Craughwell, raised the issue of what took place at Citywest and the protest that happened after a man appeared in court after being charged with the sexual assault of a girl. Our sympathies go to her and her family on what she has gone through. I understand that the Garda public order unit in full riot gear, the mounted police unit, the dog unit, the air support unit and water cannon were deployed at those events yesterday and that the Garda had intelligence that violence was being planned. A call had issued to a number of divisions outside Dublin, and members of the force from Kildare, Laois and Waterford responded and travelled to Dublin to support the policing operations. There has been a call for a debate on this matter and I will request it from the Minister for justice. Senator McCarthy also raised the issue of cybersecurity and called for a debate on this matter. I will request that as well.

Senator Collins raised the issue of wind farms and two action groups in her area. This topic has come up on a number of occasions. There is no easy answer to it. As I said before, pretty much every political party in their manifestos for the last decade and more has referred to the need to increase renewable energy generation in this country. Whether this involves wind farms or solar arrays, there are certainly issues in terms of local communities, and this is understandable. The Senator has called for a possible offshore wind installation at Foynes. There is nothing to suggest that such turbines would not also be objected to, as they have been in my area of Connemara. These are tricky issues, but I will again request a debate on the whole area of renewables with the Minister, Deputy O’Brien. Senator Collins also called for the publication of the new guidelines on wind farms. Again, these have been knocking about for quite a while, so I will again request them from the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Senator Harmon expressed sympathies to the family of Michael Calnan, may he rest in peace. She also called for an extension of presidential voting rights to Irish citizens abroad. This would obviously require Government decisions, debate and a referendum for it to happen. It does raise the question, of course, of the numbers of voters who would be involved, how far we would extend such a right and if we would have more people outside the island with a vote than on the island in certain elections.That would have to be considered.

Senator Nelson Murray, supported by Senator Mullen, encouraged people to donate blood. Some 3% of Irish people donate blood and there currently is only about 5.8 days' supply at the moment. We would like to get the supply to seven days' worth. I acknowledge both Senators for their donations. It does save lives. That is food for thought for everybody here.

Senators Keogan, Mullan and Craughwell discussed the issues of presidential elections and expressed differing views on the rights and wrongs of spoiling one's ballot. There are spoiled ballots in every election. Some people do not know they are spoiling their vote because with our single transferable vote system they may be doing things wrong. There are also people who spoil their ballots deliberately. There are also things written on ballot papers such as "None of the above" or whatever. People sometimes use the opportunity to make a statement or to write something funny that, and I disagree with Senator Craughwell, often can get reported in the media, with a photo taken and put up. That is everyone's choice but I would encourage people to come out and vote. I will request a debate on this matter in the future. I know there was a motion in the other House about franchise and the future so I will request a debate on this as well.

Senator Scahill raised the matter of the telephone and broadband allowance and called for a debate in regard to older persons and their supports, and I will request that. We are always very conscious in every budget of ensuring our older citizens are looked after, whether it be through increases in pensions or different allowances, the reduction in the VAT on gas and electricity or the changes to the means test for carers, which is hugely important as well. The Senator also welcomed the Finnish delegation. I acknowledge the presence of the Finnish delegation earlier, which included the speaker of the house and a number of MPs, whom I had the pleasure of meeting in Galway on Monday along with the Minister of State, Deputy Grealish.

Senator Brady raised the matter of fox hunting and quite rightly stated it is not a sport. We are a long time from "The Irish R.M.", which was set during the time of the gentry. We are long gone from that. Fox hunting is necessary to control foxes. On many farms, foxes take hens and lambs and I think they have even taken kittens. They are a problem. Senator Brady will join with me in not wanting to see the cruelty that sometimes is displayed in illegal activities. No one would condone that. However, fox hunting is a necessary part of the control of foxes, which can cause damage and a loss of earnings to farmers.

Senator Andrews spoke about the issues of animal welfare legislation in relation to puppies and dog ownership and called for specific bans for those who are acknowledged to have abused their pets. I will request a debate on the issue of animal cruelty and welfare legislation in that regard as well.

Senator Kennelly has called for specific recognition of SNAs as mandated persons and called for an update to the schedules. If he tables a Commencement matter, he might get a direct response to that. It is a very worthy and important issue to raise.

Senator Paul Daly raised the first North-South apprenticeships and commended the Government. I agree with that. I know there are statements on apprenticeships with the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin, in the week after the recess and he will have an opportunity to raise that matter further as well.

Senator Sarah O'Reilly raised the issue of home repossessions and the selling-on of loans. We appreciate the human toll that home repossessions take. As to what can be done legally, or the legal issues here, perhaps a specific Commencement debate on this matter would be most appropriate.

Senator Martin Conway raised the issue of Blake's Corner and his time on the road to Lahinch. I agree it is not fit for purpose in this day and age. He also called for an update on the realignment of the N85 between Ennis and Inagh. Again, it is a very specific issue so he might put it down for a debate with the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Canney, who might be able to come to the House to discuss that very important issue.