Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)

You are very welcome. That is why I am delighted to have my guests from Kildare, Tony O’Halloran, Colm Somers, Alex Byrne and some more, joining us. It is a special day for me, apart from it being International Men's Day. If my dad was alive, he would have been 90 today. Many met him and knew him or knew of him. It is a very special day. I am going to have lunch with Kildare men and have a glass of wine, celebrating International Men's Day.

Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about the horrific situation in Ukraine once again, with 19 people murdered overnight and 66 wounded. The war no doubt is escalating and concerns not just for Ukraine but for the countries bordering it are escalating also.The fact that Russia is now making 1,000 drones per day, which are going to be used, is absolutely shocking. It is now targeting the rail and energy infrastructure. When I was in Ukraine about one month ago, that was one of the main things I was thinking about on the train going in from Chem. The trains bring in all of the supplies and the food. They also bring in international delegations to bear witness and to show solidarity. We know that the rail line near Chem was significantly damaged last week. That could have been one of the passenger or supply trains gone. It is really important that we continue to talk and put pressure on Russia, and we will certainly ask the new Minister for foreign affairs to come in, and we wish her well in that position.

Senator Fitzpatrick also spoke about construction beginning in Dalymount in 2026. It is wonderful for the community, and that there are community facilities there. It is a great win for Phibsborough. St. Mary's Pro Cathedral has been a pro cathedral for 200 years and is now becoming a fully fledged cathedral. It is certainly welcome. The Senator asked that we write to the Pope and the Cardinal and thank them. We will certainly organise that.

Senator Kennelly expressed concern about home-based childcare. As we know, childcare is hugely important in our society and communities. There are many different models of childcare, from creche to playschool and childcare within the home where there are registered childminders. It is a concern - I raised it yesterday as a Commencement matter - that there is a lack of clarity on commercial rates for childminders. It is something I certainly will be pursuing. However, as the Senator says, we need to have a mid-term review during the three-year transition to make sure that while it is important to have regulation, we do not need over-regulation. We do not need more red tape. We need these people in the business to give love, care and support to the children of the nation.

Senator Boyhan spoke about the INTO, of which I am a proud former member, and about our children and our future and the issue of staff shortages we have at the moment. It is particularly a concern in large cities where there is an accommodation problem. I have long been of the view that we need to have subsidised accommodation in our cities for key workers like teachers, gardaí, nurses, etc. I believe that is a strategy we need to pursue. He also spoke about rural housing, and I assure the Senator that it is brought up at every single Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party meeting. We absolutely need a new strategy, and we need to be able to support people building on their own land close to their own home.

Senator Nicole Ryan spoke about IPAS and uncertainty. She spoke particularly about the issue in Macroom. I do not know about that situation, but I believe the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, has been clear since he took this position. He has been strong about having a rules-based situation and being firm and fair. The Senator also spoke about the issue of State accommodation. Under the old scheme of direct provision and where the State was paying private people who had accommodation, the average cost was €30,000 per year per person who stayed. The State is bringing that down to €12,000 by acquiring and having State-run provision. It is important that we show empathy to those who come to our shores. I also acknowledge that one in five of our workers in Ireland comes from outside of Ireland. If we did not have those people working in the system, our health system would collapse. Indeed, we have many working in finance and other areas as well.

Senator Stephenson spoke about the occupied territories Bill, as did Senator Black. I refute what they are saying. They are saying that the Government has done absolutely nothing. That could not be further from the truth. The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have led the way, both within and outside Europe, in highlighting the dreadful situation going on in Gaza and the West Bank. On the occupied territories Bill, our new Minister for foreign affairs, Helen McEntee, said this morning that this would be one of her priorities. Any legislation that comes before the Houses needs to be robust. A commitment was given in the programme for Government, and it is the first time this was in the programme for Government, so it is unfair of the Senators to say that the Government has committed to this but done nothing. We are only nine months into this Government. I am a member of the foreign affairs committee. We have already, as an absolute priority, ensured that we had all of our hearings and made the recommendations. It is fair to ask for a timeline, but it is also fair to say that while the professionals and those involved in drafting legislation are looking at this, we need to give them space to make sure this is robust. There was comment that there is a concern about businesses, but there has to be a concern. Being from Kildare, I would be concerned if an American company like Intel said that it was going to pull out of Ireland because of the boycott legislation and all of the thousands of people working there would be left without jobs. It is only fair to have a balanced view and to look at the possible impact on business here too.

Senator Rabbitte spoke about World Toilet Day. The work she has done in the past in supporting Changing Places has been really excellent. I recall being with her at the one in Newbridge sports centre. I know it is very well used. The fact that we only have 34 now is certainly regrettable. It is important that we have accessible facilities in public spaces and, I say again, at train stations. It is a disgrace that many of our stations have toilets that are locked all of the time. Not alone should they be open, they should be accessible. That is something we will ask for a debate on.

Senator Scahill spoke about the Garda allocation. We know it is an issue for the Garda Commissioner, certainly in relation to the amount given out last week. I am delighted that there are 13 in Kildare and six in Newbridge. I know we have the largest intake in Templemore. I think they are going in in two weeks. We certainly look forward to having more news about allocations. I accept the Senator saying that it is frustrating he cannot put in a Commencement matter on this. We will ask the Minister for justice to come to the House to have a debate about gardaí allocations and numbers.

I turn to Senator Joe Conway. The Minister of State, Thomas Byrne, took the debate this morning. It is wrong to say there was no Minister available in the Dáil. The Minister of State has shown a huge commitment in his capacity as Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, and he often takes debates beyond that. We can appreciate the Minister for foreign affairs is only reading into her brief at this point. It is unfair to say there was no Minister there. The Senator also spoke about teacher supply. However, I take absolute exception to the words he used. He is an eloquent Senator but for him as a male politician to be encouraging others to lay into a female Minister is wrong and he should withdraw that language. I do not think it is appropriate for this House or any House.

Senator Curley spoke about SpunOut being the heart of well-being, and certainly it has given 20 years of excellent work. I know the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, absolutely supports what it does. We have a number of agencies like Jigsaw and SpunOut that do excellent work. It is important to acknowledge that early intervention is absolutely needed. Young people are our present and need support now, and we all support extra resources for those.

Senator Nelson Murray spoke about World COPD Day. I am sad to hear her mother passed away from that. It is an absolutely horrible disease.We could have a debate in the House and look for the Minister for Health to come and speak about respiratory illnesses in the round. COPD and asthma are really difficult diseases to manage. They certainly lead to a difficult time for those who are suffering. Quality of life suffers too.

Senator Keogan spoke about the brain drain. I remember the Senator talking about her daughter, an Irish lady, doing so well in England, which we were all delighted to hear. She was right at that time to acknowledge that she was doing wonderful things in England. We cannot have it both ways. If we have a situation where Irish people go abroad and do well, we also need to welcome people here to do well.

The Senator mentioned Paschal Donohoe leaving. I think it was a vote of confidence, not just in him but the work he has done in the Government and wearing the green jersey. The work he will do with the World Bank in helping eradicate world poverty will be hugely important. His achievements and the achievements of his colleagues, the former Minister, Michael McGrath, and the Minister, Deputy Chambers, over the last number of years despite Covid, the war of aggression against Ukraine and Brexit, are a real testament to the work that was done.

Senator Paul Daly spoke of extending sympathies to the five families who were so sadly bereaved on Saturday night. We had a minute's silence yesterday. The Senator was correct in speaking about the hazardous conditions in Cavan, Monaghan and Leitrim this morning. We had flooding last week in the south east. Now we have freezing conditions. We will look for the Minister to come in for statements on readiness, how we prepare, what the National Transport Authority can do and what we can do, as drivers.

Senator Duffy spoke about the need to have a debate with the Minister for sport on having amenities in the correct places. Sport provides huge societal value for both physical and mental health. There are gaps in the system but, to be fair, in terms of the awarding system, there are points that take into account issues such as previous grants, whether there is deprivation in the area or whether there is a lack of facilities. The key issue can be whether people are good at filling in forms or not. That is where I think help and support should be given. We could ask that our sports partnerships provide that. It is important to look at emerging sports like padel as well.

Senator Flynn shared with me last night the news of her lung failure. I was sorry to hear it. We will look for a debate on lung health.

Senator Aubrey McCarthy spoke about the Bluebell community council and the Department, local authority and local community working together to deliver 383 new houses. That is really important. It is great to see people working together and achieving that.

Senator Andrews spoke about the new facility in the Liberties for 8,500 young people. We have to commend and thank those involved in that. I agree with the Senator that it is absolutely shameful that this area has been left behind in sport. I understand from previous conversations that a lot of that was related to the availability of land. Nearly all the land in the area had been built on, but it was not about building communities. That is why I am really glad the new housing plan the Minister, Deputy Browne, brought out brings communities back in. It is about building homes and sustainable communities also.

Senator Craughwell spoke about taxi deregulation, which was brought in to increase availability and competition. It is shocking to hear - it is the first time I have heard it - of the possibility of somebody owning 200 taxi plates. That is certainly not in the spirit or nature of deregulation. It is important that taxis and drivers are regulated properly and that we are confident that they are fully inspected and insured. We will look for a briefing on that.

Senator O'Reilly spoke about the North-South interconnector and the delay until 2031. Consultation is hugely important and we need to future-proof. To be fair, we need to have proper and fair compensation for landowners who are impacted.

Senator Martin Conway paid accolades to former finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and expressed support for a debate on COPD and lung diseases.