Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators for their contributions, starting with Senator Rabbitte who spoke about Internet safety day. I acknowledge the comments of Senators McCormack and Mullen on this matter. Senator Rabbitte spoke about the Data Protection Act and the fact that section 30(6) has not been enacted. She called for a law on the sexual exploitation of children being dressed as adults for the purpose of gratification.She called for a debate with the Minister. I will request a debate on that.

Senator McCormack, in that vein, talked of Coco's Law and how Sinn Féin has a Bill in the Dáil today on the issue of AI, deepfakes and statutes of limitations. That would have been discussed at Cabinet today. I do not have an answer as to what decision the Cabinet made on that.

Senator Mullen spoke about CyberSafeKids, the screen-free world and how we need to move towards the banning of phones in classrooms and perhaps the banning of social media to under-16s. I will request a debate with the Minister on that whole area.

Senators Boyle and Scahill raised garda appointments to Donegal and Roscommon, respectively. As we know, 167 new gardaí were attested last week, with one appointed to Donegal. I think Senator Scahill said none were appointed to Roscommon, although he does point out that it is historically a very safe county. Both Senators spoke of the need to bring back gardaí who may be from the Senators' home counties. In fairness, from my experience, especially where one has a partner, a child or whatever, returning to your home county is looked favourably upon. That is to be acknowledged as well. I will request a debate with the Minister for justice on the matter. Of course, it is up to the Garda Commissioner to decide where garda allocations are made, but obviously we would hope that there would be balance in these things.

Senator McCarthy talked of homelessness, housing policy and the need to deliver homes for people across the country. I will request a debate on housing again. He also mentioned the new marina in Greystones and an issue regarding fees and a court outcome. I ask him to request a debate on that. I am not sure exactly which body is responsible for that. Is it the local authority? I presume it is not the Department of the marine. He might put down a Commencement debate on that matter.

Senator Stephenson raised the case of Seamus Culleton, who has been detained by ICE for some time. I welcome the comments by the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, that this is a concern and he will raise the treatment of undocumented Irish people with the US President, Donald Trump, when he visits Washington DC. The Minister for foreign affairs, Helen McEntee, has said that a small number of Irish citizens, fewer than a dozen, in similar situations to that of Seamus Culleton have sought help from Irish embassies. It is a very serious issue for those families. I certainly hope that the engagement between the embassies and consulates in the United States will take place and that Mr. Culleton will be returned to his family. The Senator also spoke about the use of Shannon Airport. I will request a debate on that matter as well.

Senator Comyn raised the rise in crime in east Meath and Laytown. She highlighted the concerns of local people, which I can imagine, with a small Garda station and a population of 15,500. I am not sure exactly how many gardaí are assigned to that area. She said that a Garda station is required. She might put down a Commencement debate on that matter to get a direct response from the Minister.

Senator Nelson Murray spoke about the need for a State-backed scheme for those who have been denied flood insurance. I acknowledge her advocacy on this matter and her recent meeting with the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, on it. She called for a debate on the matter as well. I will request that. I acknowledge her advocacy on all issues of insurance.

Senators Boyhan and Ruane raised the "RTÉ Investigates" programme last night. I did not get a chance to see it but I will watch it back and see what issues can be addressed in terms of the debate. Certainly, from the Senators' testimony, there are issues surrounding patients who suffer from psychosis being held in prisons and different institutions. I will request a debate on that whole area. Senator Boyhan also requested a debate on the inspectorate's report from Mountjoy Prison, which was published on 4 February.

Senator Duffy raised the case of Margaret Loftus, who will provide testimony in the audiovisual room tomorrow. If I get a chance, I will pop in. He described the bravery of Margaret as a domestic abuse survivor and acknowledged the work of those involved. I think Senator Tully was involved in facilitating that. Margaret will be joined by representatives of Women's Aid as well. Senator Andrews welcomed the funding from the Minister, Deputy Foley, for the family resource centres, but acknowledged that Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre was not provided with funding. There was an open call made to all interested parties and I am told that subsequent submissions were evaluated in a process independently chaired by a representative of the University of Limerick. There were ten announcements and five last year as well, which brings the total number of family resource centres from 126 to 136. I hope that additional funding will be provided to assist Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre.

Senator Dee Ryan raised the issue of businesses in Limerick city that have difficulties with fibre broadband and people have been let down for a number of months. She has called for a debate with the Minister, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, on the issue of fibre broadband roll-out around the country. I will request a debate with the Minister on that very important issue.

Senator Ahearn called on the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to publish the local and national roads funding allocations. I certainly believe it is due. It is very important and necessary funding for local authorities. In relation to the progress on our national routes, I know the Senator has been a long-time advocate for the N24 Tipperary to Waterford route via Cahir. I acknowledge his advocacy even when the then Minister, Eamon Ryan, was there and was not pushing on this project as was needed.

Senator Keogan acknowledged Councillor Aisling Moran's work in Laois in relation to the cost of housing with approved housing bodies, AHBs, versus county council houses. She also asked where is the coverage in relation to the approved housing bodies and costs. I will request a debate on housing or the Senator may wish to table a Commencement matter on that issue to get a more up-to-date answer.

Senator Gallagher raised the initiative regarding the early detection of lung cancer, a very important issue for all different types of cancer. The earlier these conditions are detected, the better the chances of survival. He called for a debate with the Minister for Health in relation to this and I will request a debate on that matter.

Senator Tully talked about the over-70s and how one company is to lose three bus drivers. She called for a debate with the Minister for Transport. I wish to acknowledge that a group has been put in place. I think the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, is chairing it. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, when she was in education established that and it is a cross-departmental group with transport. I certainly hope it can find a resolution in relation to this issue. It is a sort of laughable situation, as has been pointed so often across this House. The same people can be denied from being able to drive a school bus but can bring the same children for a tour or something else like that. It does not make any sense and I hope the Ministers will be able to provide certainty on that and be able to change the rules for over-70s, subject to health checks. Senator Sarah O'Reilly raised the issue of the transition from primary to secondary school, particularly for those with special needs and expressed concern about where they will get a place next September. If the Senator has specific examples, she can put down a Commencement debate on the matter. In general, places for special needs kids have proven difficult to get but the Department has brought forward the timing of these things. I know from dealing with it a number of years ago that it was drifting on into the summer, which was totally unacceptable, however late it is now. She has also requested a comment from the Minister for education about the ten schools in the Minister's constituency being provided with funding. It is ten schools in County Galway and not in the Minister's constituency. It was across three constituencies, namely, Galway West, Galway East and Roscommon-Galway. The ten schools are deserving. Galway is the second largest county in the country and it includes the full city of Galway. I am sure Aontú across those three constituencies would support the investment in schools in those locations.