Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)

I thank all Senators for their contributions on the Order of Business. I join colleagues in congratulating President-elect Catherine Connolly. I wish her well for her term of seven years. Her inauguration will be on this day next week. I know she will do the country proud.

I also join the tributes paid to Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy for her life of service, humility, comfort and humanitarian work and various other facets in this country.

Senator O'Loughlin paid tribute to former Councillor Noel Bourke of Edenderry, County Offaly. I join her in expressing our condolences to Councillor Bourke's family. She also raised, as did Senator Sarah O'Reilly, the issue of those on hunger strike who are looking for pensions and medical cards. I am not sure whether there was a Commencement debate on this matter recently. If not, I will request a debate on the matter again.

Senators Nelson Murray, Comyn and Harmon expressed concern regarding the IPAS centre fire in Drogheda. The fire is deplorable and has to be condemned unequivocally. Lives could have been lost were it not for the quick response of the emergency services, which are to be commended. There is a Garda investigation. I certainly hope that bears fruit. Questions have been raised about social media, false information and so forth. I will request a debate on that matter again.

Senator Boyhan expressed condolences to Sr. Stan and mentioned her role in relation to marriage equality, as well as in Focus Ireland and the Immigrant Council of Ireland.

Senator Tully called for a debate on the school building programme and the role of modular builds. I join her in expressing commiserations to Heather Humphreys. We cannot have elections without participants and Heather Humphreys was in what was an unusual election where there were only two effectively running at the end. She put up the brave fight on that. I also acknowledge Jim Gavin whose name appeared on the ballot paper.

Senator Lynch raised the matter of Clondrohid National School near Macroom in relation to staffing rates, retention of posts and Circular 11/25. She expressed concern over the loss of a teacher and the fact that the school is two students short, although two students will come into it before the end of the year. I ask her to table a Commencement debate or raise this directly with the Minister. There is a compelling argument. Of course, there are rules laid down in circulars and schools, unfortunately, lose teachers all the time. There is a compelling case in relation to Clondrohid National School, however, and I certainly advise the Senator to table a Commencement debate on the matter.

Senator Craughwell raised the matter of tracker mortgages and some couples getting repayments of €14,000 to €17,000. He called for an investigation into possible fraud. I am sure the relevant committees on finance and such will be looking at this matter as part of a fuller debate and will bring in bank representatives to discuss this matter on foot of that. I will raise it with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, as well.

Senator Boyle raised Garda staffing and resources in County Donegal. Garda resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner but if he were to raise it as a Commencement debate, the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, might get the opportunity to give his view and investigate matters in that regard.As the Senator said, his brother came across an accident and the garda was there without a Garda car, signs or beacons. This is impacting the ability of gardaí to do their job in terms of protecting the scene of an accident and ensuring there are no further accidents.

Senator Andrews raised the issue of public parks closing early and being inaccessible to working families because of a lack of lighting. It depends on the park but there are valid issues regarding the use of parks after dark. However, it is a valid point with regard to preventing antisocial behaviour and providing additional use for the park in later hours. Perhaps, again, this would be more a matter for Dublin City Council or for us to raise it here as a Commencement debate, assuming it would be accepted as being under the remit of the Minister for local government.

Senators Cathal Byrne, O'Donovan, Martin Conway and Sarah O'Reilly raised the matter of the nitrates derogation. I only saw the pictures last night on social media of the huge crowd in Fermoy, County Cork in the mart itself and in the overflow rooms. The Minister, Deputy Heydon, addressed the matter and it is a serious issue. He acknowledged that he will be judged on the results on this. From the get-go, when he was appointed as Minister, he went out there and reached out to every European colleague and minister to explain the unique position Irish agriculture has in being a grass-based system, with the animals being able to be kept out - certainly parts of Cork - from the end of January to the end of November, possibly, in certain cases, or even for longer by day. It is a unique system. At the end of the day, we are the only country left in Europe with the derogation. There may be some parts of other countries actually looking to reintroduce derogations, and that would be helpful. Certainly, the Minister is absolutely committed to ensuring we get this derogation and that it is for a longer period than a year or two. It is necessary to provide that certainty in this matter. Obviously, the Government has set up the committee for water quality. We all agree on the necessity, and we have seen State investment, to improve water quality, whether that is in our local authorities or particularly as regards farmers. Results have borne out that investment and we need to continue it, but certainly the Minister, Deputy Heydon, is committed to ensuring for our unique system that that message has got through to colleagues around the European Union. I will request a debate on this as well after the Commissioner's visit.

Senator Scahill raised the issue of toll charges and called for a debate on this matter. I imagine the Committee on Transport will be dealing with this matter but I will request a debate on it. Perhaps the Senator could also put down a Commencement debate with the Department of Transport on this matter.

Senator Keogan raised the matter of an EU document relating to LGBTQ rights and called for the Minister to make a statement. I will request the Minister come in or the Senator can put down a Commencement debate or reach out to the MEPs on this matter.

Senator O'Donovan also raised the issue of flooding in Bantry. He indicated he will put down a Commencement debate on the need for progress on a culvert, for which planning permission has been provided but which is still 12 to 18 months away.

Senator Collins raised the request or advocacy of Limerick Chamber for €2.2 million to progress works on the Mackey roundabout in Limerick, where there are a series of safety concerns. Again, I advise the Senator to put down a Commencement debate to the Minister for Transport to see that included in the 2026 roads programme of Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

Senator Stephenson raised the tragedies in Sudan, the mass killings, rape and indiscriminate bombings. She called for a debate and I will request that. The Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, is in the House on Thursday on the matter of international aid and that may be an opportunity to raise the matter at that time. The Minister of State will be able to give a response on the matter and I will request him, if he is able, to come in for a debate on the issues ongoing in Sudan.