Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail)
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I wish to acknowledge the passing of Vicky Phelan and I will propose a minute's silence at the end of the Order of Business, with the agreement of Members.

The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the private nursing home sector, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to conclude at 2.15 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, and their time can be shared, with the Minister to be given not less than eight minutes to reply to the debate; No. 2, Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022 - Second Stage, to be taken at 2.30 p.m. and to conclude at 4 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, and their time can be shared, with the Minister to be given not less than eight minutes to reply to the debate; No. 3, Water Environment (Abstractions and Associated Impoundments) Bill 2022 - Committee Stage, to be taken on conclusion of No. 2 and to adjourn at 6 p.m., if not previously concluded; and Private Members' business, No. 124, motion 5 regarding vaping, to be taken at 6 p.m., with the time allocated to this debate not to exceed two hours.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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I support the Order of Business and I would like to second the minute's silence for Vicky Phelan. I am conscious that the women's caucus will be meeting at that time so I may not be back in the Chamber. The caucus will also have a vote on this. It is an appropriate thing to do and I thank the Deputy Leader for suggesting it.

I have just come from Buswells Hotel where many of us had the opportunity to meet members of the Samaritans from around the country. Charlie Bird was there and, my gosh, what an incredible man he is. He is still inspiring, still caring and, more important, still living. No more than Vicky Phelan did, he is using every moment of his life to make a difference. The Samaritans launched an excellent report and I pay tribute to the work they do. Many years ago, I was a volunteer in my local branch in Newbridge. The training we received, particularly relating to being non-judgmental and listening, was very appropriate and a lifelong lesson. I have always tried to apply it in my political life and in negotiations. I wish the Samaritans the best of luck.

Today is world COPD day. For those who are not aware of it, COPD is chest obstruction pulmonary disease. It is a life-limiting and very difficult disease. There will be a presentation on it in the audiovisual room. I am conscious of COPD because my father suffered from it. While it is important that people get treatment, there is another important message. Sadly, my father passed away almost ten years ago, two weeks after being diagnosed with lung cancer. I could not understand why it took so long to diagnose the problem because we were told afterwards it was clear that he had lung cancer for about eight years. I was told that COPD had masked the lung cancer symptoms. An important message for people who have COPD is that they make sure, if they have concerns, that they fight for the right diagnosis.

The School Climate Survey 2022 sadly shows that school is still a hostile place for LGBTQ+ students. The figures show that 76% of LGBTQ+ students feel unsafe at school and one in three has skipped school to avoid negative treatment. One in three also reported that other students were not accepting of them and 69% had heard homophobic remarks from other students. On a positive note, 99% of LGBTQ+ students knew at least one school staff member supportive of LGBTQ+ identities. It is important that this one significant other is there. However, the survey shows we have a long way to go and it brings to mind a recent INTO survey.It brings to mind of an INTO survey that was done recently. It showed that 80% of teachers who are in the LGBT community are afraid and have not shown their identity. There is a big message for society. We need a hate crime Bill and we need proper relationship and sexuality education, RSE. There is a big message for all of us that we need to be inclusive in everything that we do.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I welcome that we will have a minute's silence for Vicky Phelan. As was said yesterday, it is important that we not just commemorate her life, but that we put into words the actions she sought us to take.

This morning the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Mary Butler, a very progressive Minister of State in the Department of Health, launched an important report by the Samaritans on mental health. There have been 350,000 calls to its helpline. A figure of 19,000 from within the prison system indicates the importance of mental health and of the huge work of the Samaritans as an organisation. I thank the Cork branch under the stewardship of Mr. Jonathan Neville. It shows the importance of human connectivity as we emerge from Covid. As we saw during Covid, people were starved of human interaction and of the need to engage with one another. The longest night and the shortest day is 21 December. It focuses on the work the Samaritans is doing to shine a light on the importance of the work it is doing on connectivity and mental health.

I ask that we invite the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, to the House to discuss not just the issue of mental health, but also the work of the Samaritans. Its annual report entitled, the power of human connection, is one we should read. I commend the volunteers of the Samaritans on their extraordinary work. I know from speaking to them and from seeing the work they do and from talking to people who have benefitted from the services of the Samaritans, it is an organisation we should support. If the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, coming to the House could be facilitated, it would be much appreciated.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I want to raise the issue of the family of the late-----

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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Before you begin, Senator Boyhan, I welcome our visitors to the Visitors Gallery. They are accompanied by Deputy Neale Richmond. It is good to have them here. I hope they enjoy their stay in Leinster House. Senator Boyhan, please continue.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I raise the issue of the late Shane O'Farrell from county Monaghan. Everyone will know of him. His case was discussed many times in this House. It has been a long campaign for a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death. Shane's parents, Lucia and Jim, and his four sisters will meet this afternoon with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice. It is expected that they will go through aspects of the Judge Haughton report. I understand he completed his work on 1 June and that an advance copy has been made available to the O'Farrell family and will be discussed with the Minister, Deputy McEntee, this evening.

It is believed there are more than 400 pages in this report. It will be presented to Cabinet soon, so it has not yet been published. I respect that but I hope the Taoiseach, Deputy Michéal Martin, will honour and deliver on a number of the promises to Shane's family. The family is expecting that and are here in anticipation today. I know we have had a lot of discussion on it but I just want to wish the meeting well and hope there can be some light and some comfort for the O'Farrell family. When the Haughton report is published, I ask that it would be the subject of some debate in this House. This case has been brought up time and again in this House and, indeed, I think there was a motion passed in relation to it. It is worthy of debate at some point. Hopefully, there will be learnings from it.

I raise the issue of Deputy Patrick Costello's successful legal challenge to Ireland's proposed ratification of CETA. It was an honourable task for a Deputy. It was brave and courageous to bring the case to the courts. It is important we acknowledge that. I personally want to acknowledge it. The High Court had rejected his challenge to the constitutional aspect of this deal. However, last week the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution precludes the ratification of the deal, as Irish law stands. Therefore, it may be subject to some amendments or legislation of this House. The court also ruled unanimously that the ratification deal was not an obligation necessitated by membership of the EU. That was not always argued in these Houses and there were suggestions to the contrary. I acknowledge Deputies Patrick Costello and Neasa Hourigan and Senator Vincent P. Martin who expressed our strong reservations and who did something about it and took it to the courts. Deputy Patrick Costello is to be commended on his bravery and his courage against the system. I like to think that we, as politicians, would never fear challenging the system. I would like this House to be kept informed of what the Government's intentions are in relation to this Supreme Court judgment. It would be helpful to have a debate on the issue in this House.

Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein)
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This week is transgender awareness week and I want to say a few words on that today. It is a week that helps to raise the visibility of transgender people through education and advocacy activities. It also addresses the issues of prejudice, discrimination and violence that affect the transgender community. As we are all aware, they endure much abuse as well as facing constant challenges to their civil rights, their safety and their health. For all of these reasons, the transgender community needs and deserves our support. In Ireland, we are very lucky to have Transgender Equality Network Ireland, TENI. This organisation is working tirelessly to ensure that regardless of gender identity or expression, people enjoy full acceptance, equality and human rights. TENI's work has helped to improve the lives of many trans people and their families. I would like to congratulate the organisation on its ongoing work.

Transgender awareness week culminates in a very special day on Friday, which is transgender day of remembrance. This day remembers the victims of transphobic violence. It was founded as a vigil to honour a transgender woman who was murdered in 1998. While transgender remembrance day is now an annual event, that woman's name has been largely forgotten, so I want to remember her in the Seanad today. Her name was Rita Hester. She was brutally murdered for being a transgender woman in Boston in 1998. We remember you today, Rita.

It is a word of caution because some of the commentary that we have seen lately regarding the transgender community has exposed it once again to the risk of physical violence. We see many words across mainstream and social media targeting the transgender community, denying it its rights and being downright abusive. That has to stop. People must recognise the pain and damage that they are causing. As a society, we should respect the transgender community. Those who refuse to do so must be constantly challenged and called out for their discrimination.

On behalf of the Seanad, I would like to send a message to our transgender community that we respect it, will support it and we are here for it. We send it our love and solidarity during this transgender awareness week.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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Thank you, Senator Boylan. It is important that the week is recognised.

Rebecca Moynihan (Labour)
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Yesterday several Members of the House and members of the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage received an invitation from Ned Iveagh to go the Iveagh Markets next week to determine how a gift from his forefathers to the people of Dublin can be saved. I have raised this issue, both in this House and at the committee, on a number of occasions because the Iveagh Markets which is on Francis Street in Dublin 8 is gem of Dublin. It was given by the Iveagh Trust to the city of Dublin back in 1906. Then 20 years ago, it was sold by the city council to the publican, Martin Keane, in order to be redeveloped as a market. Since then, the market has been allowed to fall into a disgraceful state of dereliction. It is estimated that it will take €23 million to bring it back to a basic standard and to undo the damage caused by 20 years of neglect. I am calling on an action plan for the Government to save the Iveagh Markets and the Iveagh building.As this has dragged on, and I initially raised this at Dublin City Council in 2016, 2017 and 2018, the market has fallen into more and deeper dereliction. We have heard an awful lot of soft words when it comes to the importance of the Iveagh Markets and saving it, but one man has effectively been allowed to destroy the gem of heritage for the city of Dublin that is the Iveagh Markets. We are crying out for markets in Dublin but, more important, we are crying out for that building to be open for the local community in the Liberties.

I ask the Deputy Leader to write to the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Noonan, who I know has a personal interest in this yet has not acted on it since he first came before the committee more than a year ago. I ask that we all make the effort to visit the Iveagh Markets next week to see Ned Iveagh and see what has been allowed to happen to that building. If we are serious about our heritage and our city, this is one tangible step we can take to save the Iveagh Markets because we will not be able to get it back if it is destroyed. The roof is falling in, there is water ingress, trees are growing in it, and it is being used as car park for some bands playing at a pub. It has been handled disgracefully. As the political system waits, the courts prevaricate and the publican has refused to do anything on it, that building is falling into deeper and deeper dereliction, which means it might not be saved and brought back. I ask for a full action plan for the Iveagh Markets to be brought forward and for the Government to fund the market, bring it back up to standard and open it for the people of Dublin.

Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein)
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Hear, hear.

Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)
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Like others, I had an opportunity to attend this morning's presentation by the Samaritans. The work it does is often undervalued and not given the recognition it is due. It is not just about what is done by people who are in management positions but also about the work of the tremendous volunteers, often throughout the night, to assist people who have a crisis. There is no doubt the work they do is responsible for saving lives. They deal with people and take calls at night when people reach a crisis point. Through the work everyone in both Houses does, we know the kinds of crises that arrive in people's lives. Not everyone comes to politicians but everybody has access to the Samaritans.

It would be very useful if the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Butler, would come to the House to have an open dialogue to try to spread the word among people. As my generation was growing up, we were very familiar with the word "Samaritans". I suspect that a younger generation, which does not follow media in the same mainstream way we did, may not be as familiar with it. It is incumbent on us to talk about the matter, talk about the crises people face in their lives, and recognise the tremendous work of the Samaritans.

I pay particular tribute to Ms Margaret McMahon who led the delegation from County Clare today and is involved in organising volunteers, training them and reaching out to vulnerable communities in the county, particularly in Ennis, and more widely throughout west, east and south-east Clare. A huge debt of gratitude is owed to that woman for the work she does. From listening to her and the experience she has, it is clear there is an ongoing role for the Samaritans in our lives, notwithstanding the changes in technology. The capacity of volunteers to sit waiting for a call from somebody who is in a desperate state is a very valuable service. It is sad that it is dependent to a large extent on voluntary effort and charitable funding, but it is what it is and it is working. I would welcome a debate on this matter at the earliest opportunity.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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Members have made a number of references to the Samaritans with which I concur. I served with Senator Ryan many years ago who was directly involved with the Samaritans. That organisation has stood the test of time and has done great work.

It is my great pleasure to welcome to the Visitors Gallery pupils from CBS Primary School in Dundalk, County Louth. They are so welcome. It is great to have them in the Parliament listening to the debates. They are guests of Senator McGahon, a very distinguished Member of the House. I welcome their teachers, including Councillor Maria Doyle, who is a personal friend of mine and a teacher in the school, and Ms O'Hare who also teaches in the school. Teachers play a significant role in the extracurricular exercise of coming to the Parliament. I thank them for that work. I know they are very important guests for Senator McGahon. Coincidentally, it is his turn to speak.

Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail)
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I have a point of order. I do not wish to start a dispute but I sat here waiting, as did other Members, while Senator McGahon came to the Chamber after us. The Leas-Chathaoirleach seems to have jumped the queue.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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No, it is being done on party rotation.

Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail)
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I do not think the Leas-Chathaoirleach is correct about the rotation but as Senator McGahon has guests, we will let it go.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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Sorry, we had Senator Dooley-----

John McGahon (Fine Gael)
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Senator Murphy has been here long enough. He knows it goes on rotation. It was Fianna Fáil and it is now Fine Gael.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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We had Senator Dooley last. We now move to Senator McGahon and we will then be back-----

Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
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They are all on the same side anyway.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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It is two speakers from the Government and then one from the Opposition. I will come back to Senator Murphy.

John McGahon (Fine Gael)
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I would not dare to doubt the Leas-Chathaoirleach's impartiality. I would not dream of doubting it. It is great to have pupils from CBS Primary School in Dundalk here. They are members of the students' union council and are doing some wonderful work with Maria and Hannah.

We saw this morning that the Limerick to Foynes railway line is to be reopened. That process has started. I know the Deputy Leader is an avid rail user in order to get from Mayo to here. We need to come to a situation where we are encouraging public transport as much as possible. It is about having a dedicated strategy, aside from the rail strategy and rail review that is taking place, to look at reopening our disused and older railway lines, especially in rural areas. It is rural areas where we have to do the most to empower people and allow them to avail of public transport and climate action measures. I will mention as an example Dunleer railway station in the county I live in, Louth. Dunleer is probably one of the biggest towns, aside from Ardee, in the mid-Louth area. It does not just cater for County Louth but also for people coming from County Meath and south Monaghan. It has a very big catchment area and it is difficult for anyone in that region to have to go to either Drogheda or Dundalk to get a train. I would like to see a dedicated Government strategy being brought forward to look at reopening our rural rail services, which have been closed for more than 50 or 60 years. I am not advocating for every single rail service to be reopened but it would be very useful for large, provincial areas like County Louth and large rural towns. If we are to take this approach, it cannot just be in large towns or cities. It has to benefit all of Irish society, including rural Ireland. I would really appreciate a debate on the reopening of old, rural train stations as part of a specific strategy alongside the rail strategy. I would appreciate that debate at some stage in the future.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I will explain that we are working on the basis of party rotation. We take two speakers from the Government-----

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I know there is no conflict around this. We take two speakers from the Government side and one from the Opposition. We work it on the basis on arrivals and party rotation. On that premise, Senator Craughwell is next followed by Senator Murphy, who is waiting patiently.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
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I would never question the Leas-Chathaoirleach's impartiality. He is indeed a man of honour.

I frequently speak in the Chamber about our Defence Forces. Yesterday, I had the honour of visiting the Air Corps in Baldonnel. I met a wonderful group of people who are loyal servants of the State but I also saw how pathetically they are supported. We have eight traineeship aircraft in Baldonnel for training pilots. Six of them are on the ground and cannot be used. We have helicopters, a number of which are on the ground and cannot be used. The deficit of technicians in the Air Corps is more than 50%. The overall strength of the Air Corps is 26% below its establishment. I met apprentices in Baldonnel yesterday who are young men and women starting out on their degree programme. They are three-star privates because they must complete their three-star training before they can go on to start their apprenticeships properly. Yet, they are not paid a three-star private salary but an apprentice salary. That is unfair in every sense of the word. If they were in industry, we would be at the Workplace Relations Commission to put a comparator beside them, which would be that a three-star gets paid X and a three-star in the Air Corps is paid the same.It is wrong in every sense of the word and I ask the Deputy Leader to bring that through her party system to try to get some degree of equity for those people.

I heard something strange from one of the apprentices to whom I spoke yesterday, a young lady. I asked her if she was really worried about her income and she said "Yes", they are out in Baldonnell, a long way from anywhere, and having any sort of a life there is difficult. The cost of fuel is making it difficult and she can only go home every third weekend or something like that. I asked her what was her ask or what I could bring forward for her. She asked me to please bring forward the fact that her instructors are not paid an allowance. I could not understand how that is the case. The Deputy Leader wore the uniform and she is aware that there are allowances for instructors. I ask her to bring that matter forward as well.

I will have lots more to say about the Air Corps in the coming weeks, not least in respect of the grave error of this country in not including it right now in search and rescue services.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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As I stated privately to the Senator earlier, I would never attempt to silence him - only temporarily.

Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail)
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I certainly was not questioning the chairmanship of the Leas-Chathaoirleach in any way.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I appreciate that. That is never an issue.

Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail)
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Nor was I questioning Senator McGahon. I have often given way to other Senators-----

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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Senator Murphy is constantly a gentleman. That is understood.

Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail)
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I accept fully what the Leas-Chathaoirleach said.

I wish to speak briefly about the importance of farm payments to many counties. Today, counties are getting green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS, payments for 2022, which have been announced by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue. These are coming at an important time for farm families. In my county of Roscommon, 1,800 farmers will get those payments, which will be in their bank accounts in the coming days. The payments are worth €6.4 million in total. In the Deputy Leader's county, it is €12.4 million, and approximately 3,500 farmers will qualify. In Galway, 3,900 farmers will qualify for a total of €13.6 million. That comes on top of the sheep welfare payments of €17.5 million to many counties, including counties in the Northern Sound region, as we say, which takes in the area of the Leas-Chathaoirleach, including Cavan, Monaghan, parts of Meath, north Longford and other areas. They are very important payments for rural communities and farm communities. As my rural colleagues know - Senator Dooley's county of Clare also received an allocation - much of that money is invested in local shops, businesses and merchants, whether they are agricultural merchants or meal merchants, and it is important in the context of keeping the rural economy and jobs going. Often, the payments are not highlighted enough. This is the last year of the GLAS. It will be replaced by the agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, which will, in time, be a very good scheme. The sheep welfare scheme, in respect of which there was an announcement in recent days, ran for six years and is coming to an end, also to be replaced by a new scheme. I am putting on record the importance of those payments, particularly this year, because although prices are good, costs are high for farmers. It is important that we recognise those payments, which are a big financial support to farm families.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator. It is important that we encourage farmers to access all of these schemes, particularly the environmental ones such as GLAS.

Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael)
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I have three matters to address briefly. The first relates to the Iveagh Markets. For the past two years, I have been dealing with representatives of the Iveagh family in discussing the dreadful situation of the Iveagh Markets, such a beautiful heritage and gift to the city and people of Dublin, being allowed to fall into dereliction. Between Dublin City Council and a particular developer, it is a disgraceful case. It was one of the first things in respect of which I called for action when I became a Senator. I am looking forward to meeting with Ned Iveagh next Tuesday. We had an extensive conversation yesterday.

The second issue I wish to raise is in the context of standing in solidarity with the transgender community. Last night, I received yet more emails in respect of a briefing in the Oireachtas today that is being facilitated by Members of this House. The issue is that no one from Transgender Equality Network Ireland, TENI, BeLonG To, LGBT Ireland or the Trans Equality Together coalition has been invited to the briefing. That means that people who are affected by the subject matter of the discussion and briefing will not be at the table in speaking to the Oireachtas and the parliamentary community. To be honest, I find that unacceptable. I will be raising that point later, along with issues raised by TENI. Ireland rates very badly when it comes to support and care for the transgender community. It is important that transgender voices are heard.

I know the Leader has set up a meeting with the Minister to discuss the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, but I am getting letters from people who want to get retrofitting work done. This morning, we collected a letter from a man in his 80s to bring forward that he will be waiting at least two years before anything is done to his house. There is no point having a system that does not work, so I am asking the Deputy Leader, as well as the Leader, who happens to be here, to arrange a debate and statements in the House to bring into the open just how effective or ineffective this scheme is.

Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
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I wish to raise the issue of the World Cup, which starts on Sunday in the horrific regime that is Qatar. There have been well documented details of human rights abuse relating to Qatar and workers. According to the Qatari Government, 15,000 workers have died at work in the past ten years but in many cases it put those deaths down to natural causes. The Guardian did an exposé which showed that 6,500 workers from five countries alone died in that period. There has been well documented horrendous abuse of workers' rights in terms of not being paid wages, which is wage theft. All of these workers are migrants and had no legal right to join a trade union. The so-called reforms are nothing more than window dressing. It has been hugely disappointing to see Irish politicians in some cases try to join in with that window dressing, as happened a few weeks ago, unfortunately. We can then talk about the rights of women because, basically, they have no rights. If they want to make decisions about their life, such as to get married, study abroad or even travel abroad, they cannot do so without the permission of their male guardian. There is also the horrendous treatment meted out to the LGBTQI community, with people having been subjected to severe beatings this year. If they are Muslim, they can be threatened with the death penalty.

The decision to go to Qatar is horrendous but the point that really bothers me is that in the past year the State sent a trade delegation to Qatar, led by the then Minister of State, Deputy Troy. There was not one word about human rights. Similarly, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, went to Saudi Arabia earlier this year, just days before 81 people were executed in one day. Again, there was not one word about human rights. I am calling for an urgent debate on the Government's stance in respect of human rights in these horrendous Middle East dictatorships such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia. There seems to be a significant set of double standards at work here.

Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein)
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Hear, hear.

Regina Doherty (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for accommodating me. I wish to raise the situation relating to Panda exiting the energy market in recent weeks. It had some 60,000 customers. The customers who get their gas and electricity from Panda got a letter giving them less than ten days' notice to choose a new suppliers. The company did a deal with the regulator whereby the 60,000 people would be divided between two suppliers. If a customer did not arrange a new supplier within the ten days, his or her details would be handed to the new suppliers and there would be, in fairness, a seamless transition to the new supplier. However, there is no cooling-off period or 28 days' notice and no honouring of the contract customers had with Panda and the discounts they may have enjoyed in the context of electricity. Those contracts were ceased without compensation.

I do not know if any other Senators have tried to get through to an electricity provider recently but it is nigh on impossible. People are left on hold for days. I was contacted by a gentleman who managed to get through before the ten days were up and changed his contract to a particular energy company only to get a letter from Bord Gáis a couple of days later to say his account was now with Bord Gáis even though it was not the company he chose.There was no 28-day cooling off period and he is not allowed to change over. There has been no indication from Panda about why contracts have not been honoured. This gentleman had ten months left in his 12-month contract, with a decent discount on his electricity rate. Now he is being offered no electricity discount with the new rate.

I know the Deputy Leader will probably not know the answer to this but maybe we can talk to the Minister about it. Was GDPR legislation breached by giving 60,000 people's details to the new suppliers in an unauthorised way? Why does the 28-day cooling off period not allow them to change from the new supplier that Panda has brought to them? Most importantly, how in God's name is an energy company which announced millions of euro in profit yesterday allowed to cease contracts with 60,000 people in Ireland without any compensation or at least without negotiating through the regulator, which should be overseeing this and ensuring that the contracts were honoured by the two companies which have taken over the energy supply?

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I welcome Senator Lynn Ruane and her two guests to the Gallery.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the new, updated and improved Croí Cónaithe towns fund which was launched yesterday. Application forms are available now. This is a welcome move to allow for vacant and derelict rural properties to be included as part of the scheme, with payments of between €30,000 and €50,000, with a special top-up. This had been sought and is welcome. I congratulate all involved, especially the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, on our side, as well as the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and the Minister of State, Deputy Malcolm Noonan. This will include houses that have been vacant for two years or more, which is verified by utility bills. For homes built before 1993, proof of ownership has to be provided to the local authority. People are required to reside in the dwelling as their principal private residence once the grant is drawn down. The priority is for applicants who are first-time buyers and includes those who qualify under the new fresh start principle. Secondly, there are applicants with disabilities who may be selling an existing home who want to refurbish and live in a vacant property, then others who are selling an existing home in order to move into and live in a vacant property. This is welcome.

We can see rural vacant properties all over the place so this is a game changer in revitalising these communities and helping to assist the housing stock across our country. We know there is an under-supply of houses and that demand exists. If we can assist people, as this scheme does, in getting their foot on the ladder through a relatively beneficial investment, that would be a game changer in increasing the supply of homes across the country.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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We welcome the young people to the Gallery.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I rise to raise two issues. I welcome the Croí Cónaithe announcement. Many people in Limerick city have contacted me about derelict houses and properties that they were purchasing. It is great to see that they are now able to avail of the Croí Cónaithe scheme to bring those houses back into use. A derelict house can be a blight. I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, and the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, on their work on this issue. I listened to people who raised the issue here.

I congratulate John Kiely, manager of the Limerick hurling team. He received an honorary doctorate from the University of Limerick yesterday. It is for his contribution to Limerick and society as a whole. I congratulate Dr. John Kiely.

It was reported in the Limerick Postthat there were 70 people on the waiting list in University Hospital Limerick, waiting for beds and to be seen. Some 72 non-consultant doctors signed protected disclosures and a letter to the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, about their concerns about the fact that people were being left for ten hours or more without being seen, especially people in the acute medical ward. While I know that staff work hard to look after patients, it is unacceptable for people to be left. It is a serious issue when 72 doctors have signed this disclosure and letter. I call for a debate on the future of University Hospital Limerick.

Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome our visitors to the Gallery and the Seanad.

Senator O'Loughlin started off the Order of Business. She had just come from the Samaritans briefing in Buswells Hotel, as did Senators Buttimer and Dooley. All three Senators spoke of the important work that the organisation does and have requested a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, on mental health and the work of the Samaritans, which the Leader's office will request at the earliest opportunity. Senator O'Loughlin also spoke about COPD day, which is today, and the need to support people who suffer with that condition. She also spoke about the recent school climate survey, which found that LGBTQI+ students still face a considerable challenge from hate and abuse. They find it difficult to go to school. Many students are missing school because of that and there is a need to progress hate crime legislation at the earliest opportunity.

As I said, Senator Buttimer spoke about the Samaritans and requested a debate.

Senator Boyhan raised two specific issues. The first was the tragic loss of Shane O'Farrell's life in a road traffic incident and the fact that the O'Farrell family, led by their mother Lucia, will be in Leinster House today to meet the Taoiseach. Senator Boyhan called for the public inquiry to be progressed without delay. He also spoke about Deputy Patrick Costello's challenge in the High Court and then the Supreme Court and commended him for his work. I understand that legislation is required to allow the Government to ratify CETA. I understand that the Government will progress that legislation. We will keep the House updated. Any legislation will, of course, come before us in any event.

Senators Boylan and Seery Kearney spoke about Transgender Awareness Week and the considerable challenges that trans people still face in this country and across the world, with healthcare, abuse and the threat of violence, which we would never condone. There are ongoing challenges for that community. I bring people's attention to Transgender Awareness Week.

Senator Moynihan spoke about Ned Iveagh and the Iveagh Markets. I am not up-to-date on the ins and outs of that issue. I understand there is a complex ownership issue between two individuals. There were two planning grants for that site which never progressed to actual development. A third planning application might have been sought and was not granted. There seem to be complicated issues. It is probably premature to request the Government to fund development when the ownership of the site has not been worked out, but I acknowledge the importance of that site for the local community and its heritage. I know the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, is focused on resolving that issue.

Senator Dooley asked for a debate on the Samaritans and spoke about a local Clare issue, and the fantastic work the Samaritans do there. We will request a debate at the earliest opportunity.

Senator McGahon spoke about the need for a dedicated strategy for the reopening of disused rail lines. I would definitely support that. I have spoken numerous times about the western rail corridor. The suggestion certainly merits debate. There are many disused rail lines. Comparing a map of the country 100 years ago with a map from today, there were many more rail lines 100 years ago. We should look at every opportunity to get people to use public transport to further climate action and get cars off the road. Rail is part of that solution. Senator McGahon mentioned Dunleer railway station, which would serve a considerable population in his area.

Senator Craughwell spoke about the Air Corps and his recent visit to Baldonnell to visit Air Corps personnel there. He raised the issue of allowances for instructors. I suggest that he table a Commencement matter on that. He also spoke about the Air Corps being 26% smaller than its establishment strength, which needs to be addressed.

Senator Murphy spoke about ongoing payments to farmers across the country. He highlighted Roscommon, Mayo and Galway, and the multi-million euro investment in all those counties through GLAS and other schemes, as well as how important they are to farmers and the survival of the family farm.

Senator Seery Kearney also addressed the issue of the Iveagh Markets, which she has worked on for a long time.She also concurred with the remarks of Senator Boylan on transgender awareness week, requested a debate on the SEAI and the retrofitting scheme, and acknowledged the meeting with the Leader. I will be attending that meeting with her as well to try to get some answers on how that scheme is working and how we can improve it for those trying to access it.

Senator Gavan spoke about Qatar and the World Cup. Many Members over the past number of weeks and months have raised the ongoing human rights abuses in Qatar. I would say almost everybody, if not everybody, in this Chamber is very unhappy - to put it mildly - that the World Cup is taking place there. FIFA has acknowledged that a mistake was made and that it should not be there. We believe that a staggering number of workers have lost their lives - clearly not through natural causes despite what the Qatari Government might suggest. The numbers are colossal. I take issue with the Senator directly naming Ministers and other Members of this House and their engagement. It is wrong to do that. We can make the point about human rights abuses in Qatar without trying to tarnish the reputation of other Members of the Houses in the work they are doing as Ministers representing the country and I take issue with the Senator's remarks in that regard.

Senator Doherty spoke about Panda exiting the market. I believe it made over €50 million from that sale so it has been a good day for it but not for its customers. I do not know whether GDPR legislation was breached in terms of just handing over customers' information but more answers are required. The idea that one would give people ten days to find a new electricity provider does not give them much time with work, family and all that goes with everyday life so there is an onus on Panda to look after its customers better and to respect their rights.

Senator Kyne spoke about the extension of the Croí Cónaithe scheme to cities. Senator Maria Byrne also spoke about that issue, as have other Senators in recent weeks. It is a great scheme that will bring derelict properties in rural and urban areas across the country back into use. Not only will it reinvigorate town centres, it will increase housing stock which, ultimately, is what we need to do. It is a great scheme offering between €30,000 and €50,000 for derelict or vacant properties. I look forward to seeing those properties come back into use at the earliest opportunity and commend the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, and the Department for their work in getting this scheme over the line and, more importantly, getting the funding behind that scheme. From what I am hearing and having looked at the application, the requirements to access the scheme seem pretty straightforward, which is really important. They have got rid of the red tape and bureaucracy that attached to many schemes in the past. This is a really easy to access scheme for people who want to access it.

I am conscious that we have proposed a minute's silence on the passing of Vicky Phelan. I am sure I speak on behalf of all Members in commending her work over the past number of years in fighting not for herself but for the women of Ireland. I listened to Dr. Gabriel Scally on the radio a couple of days ago. It was incredible to hear him say that we now have a better screening programme that they have confidence in and that will save lives because of her work and because she chose on that day not to sign that non-disclosure agreement. We will be forever grateful for the work she has done. That was a tipping point in terms of women's healthcare in this country. It was the straw that broke the camel's back in terms of women standing up and saying enough is enough. She has left a lasting legacy and impression on our country and our health service is better for the work she has done. I extend our deep sympathies and condolences to Amelia, Darragh and her husband, Jim, along with all her family, friends and community on her sad passing. We will have a minute's silence in her honour.