Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)

I thank Senators for their contributions. We started with Senator Duffy, who gave a great compliment to the Bonniconlon ICA from County Mayo. The shingles vaccine is a very important issue. As Senator Duffy acknowledged, it has previously been raised by other Senators. It is available in other jurisdictions but in Ireland it is only privately available. I completely agree with him that prevention is always better than cure. It is a vaccine that is proven to work, that can protect our citizens, primarily our senior citizens, and it should be included in the medical card vaccine programme. This is an issue that I and others have raised. It would be helpful to table a Commencement matter on that specific issue with the Minister for Health to see if she can find within her budget - the health budget is very significant, as the Senator alluded to - provision to ensure every senior citizen and every vulnerable individual who requires the shingles vaccine can have access to it without any additional cost.

Senators Joe Conway and Boyhan both spoke about the plan announced by Government to accelerate the delivery of infrastructure. One would think that we are living in two parallel universes, to hear them speak about it. I was disappointed to hear Senator Conway speak in such defeatist terms about a plan, as enunciated by Senator Boyhan and referred to by independent authorities outside this House and the Dáil, that will unblock the logjam that exists. It is going to streamline the regulatory and approval process.It is going to reduce timelines, accelerate delivery and increase efficiency, which are all values every Member of this House could subscribe to when it comes to the delivery of infrastructure. When we talk about infrastructure, it is really important to remember that infrastructure means homes, school, roads and train stations. It is the structures upon which our families, communities, enterprises and tourism are built. I believe, therefore, that the infrastructure announcement is a very positive one. It highlights the ambition that the Government and the State have to meet the requirements of our citizens. I believe that the Minister with responsibility, Deputy Chambers, will be delighted to take the opportunity to come into the House. I will extend an invitation to him to come in at his earliest convenience and have a debate with the House on the infrastructure plan.

I commend Senator Conor Murphy on his enthusiasm for the tourism activities on both sides of the Border. It is a great example of all-island working and us acting as an island to maximise our potential. I share with him in commending Fáilte Ireland on its extension of the Hidden Heartlands to include County Fermanagh. It is a beautiful part of the country. I was not surprised to hear Senator Rabbitte join in the praise. It would be important to have the Minister for enterprise into the House. Tourism is now under the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. That was a very positive move by Government to move tourism into the Department of enterprise because it is the foundation of many of our local economies right around the country. We will invite the Minister in for a debate on not just the Hidden Heartlands but, as Senator Rabbitte alluded to, the Wild Atlantic Way as well, which does very well out of tourism. Let us have that debate soon, however, because this House should support the Minister and the Department in that.

Senator Dee Ryan mentioned that serious accident. I am sorry to hear that it is one of only a series of accidents. Road safety is an issue the Senator has been championing. She mentioned not just Corbally Road but the Shelbourne Road and the fact that drivers are just not observing the rules of the road and the infrastructure that has been put in place to ensure pedestrian safety. It would be really important that this matter is aired in the House. We will invite the Minister in to have a debate on what can be done specifically to improve the effectiveness of the measures that are already in place. The Senator mentioned how the pedestrian crossings are there, but they are being ignored. She also asked whether car number plate technology can be deployed in that instance.

I am sorry to hear that Limerick University Hospital continues to suffer from overcrowding. It is not acceptable that the hospital is having to send announcements inviting people not to attend the emergency department. When people are ill and unwell and need emergency help, they need to be able to go there confident that they are going to receive the care they need and deserve. I recognise that the Senator asked for the Minister to release her views on the HIQA report. We will write to the Minister and ask her to do so.

Senator Rabbitte spoke about the tourism policy. She also made a very good point, not just about the broad national tourism activity but the very need to instil confidence in local communities. She spoke about the indigenous business and craft activities, and she is absolutely right. We have a unique culture and unique traditions and enterprises that can take their place on the world stage, and the World Wide Web makes that possible. However, we need to support those communities to amplify and champion and show what they have to offer to the rest of the world. Those are points the Senator can raise with the Minister once we get him in.

Senator Andrews raised the issue of puppy farms, and I smiled, not at the issue, but because he was alluding to attributing all of it to my party and the other party. I am disappointed he did that because it is a really serious issue, and I agree with him. Dogs Trust Ireland and other rescues will be overwhelmed this Christmas. It is cruelty; it is just the cruellest thing. I support the Senator's call for people to be vigilant. There are regulations in place, but they are not being properly enforced.