Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the arrangements for the sitting of the House on Thursday, 15 December, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, motion regarding the proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of the Council decision regarding the extension of the period referred to in Article 552(11) of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement during which the United Kingdom may derogate from the obligation to delete name record data of passengers after their departure from the United Kingdom, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 1, without debate; No. 3, motion regarding orders of reference of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 2, without debate; No. 4, Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 - Second Stage, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to adjourn at 2.15 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the opening contribution of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, all other Senators not to exceed four minutes, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; No. 5, motion regarding the recommendation of appointment of ordinary members to the board of the Electoral Commission, An Coimisiún Toghcháin, to be taken at 2.15 p.m., and to conclude after 75 minutes, if not previously concluded, with the opening contribution of the Minister not to exceed seven minutes, all Senators not to exceed five minutes, and the Minister to be given not less than seven minutes to reply to the debate; No. 6, statements on the recent travel disruption at Dublin Airport and continuous planning for the coming weeks, to be taken at 3.30 p.m. or on the conclusion of No. 5, whichever is the later, and to conclude after one hour, if not previously concluded, with the opening contribution of the Minister not to exceed six minutes, all Senators not to exceed six minutes, time can be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than six minutes to reply to the debate; No. 7, National Tourism Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2022 [Certified Money Bill] - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 4.30 p.m. or on the conclusion of No. 6, whichever is the later, and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 15 minutes by the putting of one question from the Chair which shall, with regard to recommendations, include only those set down or accepted by the Government; No. 8, Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2022 – all Stages, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. or on the conclusion of No. 7, whichever is the later, and to conclude after one hour, if not previously concluded, with the opening contribution of the Minister not to exceed eight minutes, all Senators not to exceed five minutes, and the Minister to be given not less than eight minutes to reply to the debate, with Committee and Remaining Stages to be taken immediately thereafter; No. 9 Tailte Éireann Bill 2022 – Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 6 p.m. or on the conclusion of No. 8, whichever is the later, and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 30 minutes by the putting of one question from the Chair which shall, with regard to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Government; and No. 10, Private Members' business, Animal Health and Welfare (Dogs) Bill 2022 – Second Stage, to be taken at 6.30 p.m. or on the conclusion of No. 9, whichever is the later, with the time allocated for the debate not to exceed two hours

Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I support the Acting Leader with regard to the Order of Business. I will speak about towns, villages and rural regeneration, an issue that is important to all politicians, especially councillors in every local authority region. We have seen another big investment by the Government today. The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Humphreys, has made an investment in excess of €27 million in the town and village programme up and down the country. It is good to see that a long-vacant building in Ballinasloe is to be repurposed as a hub and €500,000 will be allocated for the redesign of Arigna, County Roscommon, a little village well known to many which was once a great mining place and where there is now a fantastic mining museum. There is much good news in Galway, Roscommon and every other county today.

Some towns and villages are just not making the mark, however. I do not know whether it is because the local community cannot agree on a project or whether greater engagement is needed with the Department. The town and village programme is a fantastic scheme. It is doing something we have all talked about for years in that it is regenerating towns, bringing more people into them and getting rid of vacancy by repurposing vacant buildings. It would be a travesty if a minority of towns and villages were left behind. We need the communities in towns and villages to come to an agreement on what they would like to be developed in their area. If the Department needs to reach out more to those towns and villages, let it do so because it is very important we use this scheme to its potential and ensure every community gets a share of the moneys available to repurpose its town or village. Before I conclude, I wish to refer to something that is upsetting to everybody, whether they live somewhere urban or somewhere rural. I am cognisant of the fact that we have schoolchildren from Malahide here. However, anybody listening to "Morning Ireland" yesterday could not help but be touched by the story of John Healy from Moneygall, which is on the Tipperary-Offaly border. He spoke about the appalling damage done to his sheep flock. Some 50 of his young sheep - I think they might have been hoggets - were killed. He told the story of heading to work and getting a call from his mother. She told him one of the lambs was in the back garden, which is quite a ways from where the sheep should have been. He rang his two teenage sons and asked them to go up to the field not far from the house to see if the sheep were okay. His sons called him back crying uncontrollably because they discovered that 50 of the sheep had been killed by marauding dogs. Senator Boylan has a Bill relating to dogs on the Order Paper. There was another attack in Kildare. This happens every single year. It must be stopped, both for reasons of animal welfare and because of the heartbreak it brings to the farmers who look after their sheep and lambs. We must do something. I do not have a magic answer, but we must do whatever needs to be done. If we have to ban certain types of dog, then we should do so. I appeal to people who have dogs to ensure that they know where they are and that they are under control.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Hear, hear. Well said.

Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I bring the good news to the House that the Cabinet has finally approved a framework for legislating for surrogacy in prospective and retrospective cases. I am very grateful for that. Surrogacy is not something you choose - it chooses you. Generally, if you are a woman, surrogacy will be the option because you have had a series of illnesses and losses that have been very dramatic. It will also be the option for a gay couple who want to have a family together. We now have a provision for the State to ensure children have a right to the certainty of both their parents and a right to their identity and birth information being registered in the State. This is all built on a child-centred approached based on the Verona Principles. We will be the first state to legislate for them, which will be quite extraordinary. We also have a circumstance now whereby surrogates are protected and supported to ensure that they are not open to the possibility of coercion or being in any way exploited by having preconception safeguards in place to ensure their rights and entitlements are protected at all times. We also have legal certainty for parents to have a lifelong relationship with their children, and with both of their children.

I thank the Ministers involved. I thank the Minister, Deputy McEntee, for her considerable work, because much of this was within the remit of the Department of Justice and the officials there worked extraordinarily hard over the summer months following the report of the Joint Committee on International Surrogacy. I thank the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, and the officials in his Department. I thank the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, who assisted from the perspective of children. I pay great tribute to Professor Conor O'Mahony for his extraordinary report on the rights of children and the protection of children within surrogacy in Ireland. That report laid the groundwork in respect of this matter.

I especially thank the members of the joint committee, which was under the leadership and chairmanship of Deputy Whitmore. I thank Senator Ruane and Deputy Funchion, as well my colleague, Deputy Higgins, and Fianna Fáil colleagues, Senators Clifford-Lee and McGreehan and Deputy Murnane O'Connor, for the hard work that went into arriving at an ethical standard and framework for this State. Extraordinary collaboration and moving forward together went into this. It was a real example of what can be done. We had to do an extraordinary amount of work in a very time-sensitive manner.

Most of all, I pay tribute to the families in Irish Families Through Surrogacy and Irish Gay Dads who bore their souls and told of the plight and hardship of not being recognised as their children's parents in Irish law. I am very grateful that this is coming. We need to see the legislative amendments and move this through the Houses with speed. There are families in precarious positions where either the biological father has a very serious illness or there has been family breakdown that places the second parent in a very vulnerable position and the children looking at not having access to that parent or not having that legal certainty. The devil will be in the detail of the amendments. I look forward to them. I am grateful to the Attorney General's office for working so hard on this matter. Yesterday was a great day to be celebrated. It is the beginning of the end of discrimination against our children.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir. Before I call on Senator Boyhan, I welcome our visitors from St. Oliver Plunkett's School in Malahide. I thank Deputy Alan Farrell for bringing them in. This is the student council, or some members of it, along with teachers Ms Nicole Kennedy and Mr. Diarmuid Eagney. I thank Senator Buttimer for bringing their presence to my attention.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I note there is a huge amount of business on the Order of Business and it is our task and our job get through it, and I hope we will. I take this opportunity to thank the Leader's office because it is important to do so as we come to the end of another political term. I also acknowledge the significant work Ms Orla Murray in the Leader's office does in the context of organising the Order of Business. It is not an easy task to balance all the demands, all the asks and all the legislation and put it into a structure for us. We will do our best and I hope we will get through the legislation we are expected to get through today.

I commend and thank the Cathaoirleach and all the members of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee. Our report on the constitutional future of the island of Ireland was finalised this morning and I acknowledge the important work of the Leas-Chathaoirleach, as well as Senators Black, Casey, Currie, Martin, Ó Donnghaile and Wall. It is a very important body of work. It is an interim report, as we always said it would be. My ask is that we have a debate in this House on this and possibly early in the new year. We had some really positive and enlightening contributions. I single out the young people who came into the Chamber in large droves. The key issues for them were equality in education, jobs, homes and the environment. They were the key issues we echo very much here.

Senator Seery Kearney mentioned something the Cabinet approved yesterday. The Cabinet also approved new planning laws that will now go to the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, of which I am a member. There they will be robustly scrutinised. One thing I can clearly say is emails are a barometer of public opinion for many politicians and I have had a huge amount of emails expressing absolute shock and horror from community groups all over the country who feel they are in some way going to be short-changed. We will have to tease that out in committee. There is clearly a role for communication here and I am not privy to the full outline of what is proposed, but that is why I say there is a fear out there. There is going to be a challenge. We are going to have to give this a serious in-depth analysis. This is going to be most hotly-contested legislation of the next six months.

Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I echo the concerns with regard to what we are hearing about proposals to try to restrict people's access to justice when it comes to the planning process. We all agree the process is much in need of reform. We are all conscious we have major infrastructural projects to be delivered and are in the middle of a housing crisis, but if the Government thinks it is going to stop people and communities being part of the democratic process that is the planning system that is deeply concerning. I commend the Green Party members of the Cabinet who have at least spoken up about the protection of access to justice. I hope they hold firm on that and that the proposals are given the proper scrutiny they warrant when they reach the committee. However, what we have seen this week with the Bill dealing with An Bord Pleanála hearkened back to the bad old days of Fianna Fáil stuffing boards with cronies. We have seen where that led us. Having no independent public appointments process for appointing people to the board is deeply concerning. It does not bode well in the context of what we are hearing with regard to what came out of Cabinet yesterday.

In my remaining time, I wish to speak on the issue of domestic violence.I will not have an opportunity to speak during the debate tomorrow. Last week An Garda Síochána released the latest statistics on domestic violence. This was timely as we approach Christmas which can be a difficult time for those living in abusive relationships. More than 49,257 domestic abuse reports have been received so far this year. That is a 9% increase on the same period last year. That has to be a cause for huge concern. In addition, 481 coercive control incidents have been recorded so far this year. This is again a steady increase on the number since 2020. Coercive control is a persistent pattern of controlling, coercive and threatening behaviour, including abuse which is emotional, physical, financial or sexual, and including threats.

On a positive note An Garda Síochána reports that 90% of gardaí have now completed specific training on coercive control, which is good news for any woman suffering under such circumstances this Christmas and new year break. As we approach the end of the year, I wish to acknowledge the work done by many of the groups across this island supporting those in abusive relationships. I refer to groups such as Women's Aid, which has worked for more than 45 years to make women and children safe from domestic violence, and Safe Ireland. I commend their work as we approach the end of the year. I urge anybody who is in a difficult situation to reach out and get the help they require if they find themselves in an abusive relationship.

Marie Sherlock (Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leat, a Chathaoirligh, agus le d'fhoireann in Oifig an tSeanaid as ucht an comóradh an-speisialta a bhí againn ar an Luan. Ba chóir dom buíochas a ghabháil freisin maidir leis na heachtraí eile a bhain le comóradh 100 bliain de Sheanad Éireann a bhí ar siúl i rith na bliana, go háirithe na hiarrachtaí ar son mhná an tSeanaid. I pay special tribute to the Cathaoirleach, particularly as he will be moving into a different position on Friday. I wish to acknowledge the work that has been done to remember and commemorate the 100 years of the Seanad, particularly in highlighting how few women have passed through the Seanad over the past 100 years in regard to the portraits and the celebration of women. I want to acknowledge that. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his work on that.

I am conscious that this is probably my last contribution to the Order of Business before the end of the year. It is incredible to think that ten months on from 24 February, the savage war in Ukraine is still going with no end in sight. Millions of people are being forced to live in sub-zero temperatures, in deprived conditions without heat and electricity. We heard one of the Ukrainian members of parliament speaking this morning about the appalling conditions. Ukraine is on all our minds. Inevitably over the past few months we were distracted with other issues but we cannot lose sight of this continuing war in Europe. It is clear from the number of people who have come to this country, and in particular from speaking to Ukrainian parliamentarians, that Ireland has a good record of extending the welcome. We have encountered massive issues in accommodating so many people. In the current freezing conditions, Ukrainian refugees and people from other countries are living in tents in this country. This is an appalling indictment of a failure to plan for what we knew was going to be a massive surge. We have been talking about modular housing and preparing for thousands of refugees for many months now, as far back as March and April, but we still do not have proper provision in place.

I am conscious that the protests in East Wall are ongoing. There has been a counter-response from people in the local community who do not want their community to be slurred. The north inner city is under enormous strain at the moment due to the shortage of housing and other services. We want to make sure that those who are extremely vulnerable are being welcomed. In that regard the Dublin City Community Co-Op issued a report this morning with its recommendations from the front line. It is engaging with all the various groups in the inner city about how we need to respond to the significant number of refugees on our shores and within our communities. First, it reports that education and training boards across the country have significant waiting lists throughout the country for English-language classes. If we do not get the availability of classes right, we will entrench people’s sense of remoteness. Second, the report also refers to training and employment. We all know we have a shortage of construction workers at the moment yet there are difficulties for refugees in accessing manual handling and Safe Pass courses. Third, the report refers to accommodation, staffing and training. We are entrenching the privatisation of supports in direct provision and in the new facilities being set up for refugees. There is inconsistency with regard to how people are treated in these facilities. We need to have those services professionalised and in public hands as opposed to lining the pockets of some security companies and hotels.

Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I join in the expressions of concern about what seems a relentless attack on the democratic aspects of our planning infrastructure. I always tell people that policy-making and politics are about the decisions we make about how we want to live together. An important aspect of the decisions about how we want to live together is that people have a say in their local development plans and in planning. It is vital that we protect it. The concerns around the terrible proposals being flown at the moment should not distract from the very bad things that are in the planning Bill we will discuss tomorrow, which will further erode confidence in An Bord Pleanála and will further lead to people rightly seeking justice in the courts if they are not confident of a fully independent process in An Bord Pleanála.

It is worth looking in that context at the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on biodiversity. One of its key recommendations is that environmental law and European law are properly applied. I am conscious that the UN Biodiversity Conference is taking place at the moment. It is vital that this conference achieves strong and ambitious outcomes, protects indigenous communities and makes sure we do not see a land grab from corporations for biodiverse land. I welcome the fact that we are seeing some progress on biodiversity in Ireland. Will the Leader facilitate a debate on the results of the Citizens’ Assembly on biodiversity and the UN Biodiversity Conference in the new year?

It would also be useful as an international issue if we could have a debate in the new year on the ongoing famine in the Horn of Africa. Indeed, we have heard migration mentioned today. There are migrants who are not reaching safety because they are dying in the Mediterranean Sea or being interned by immigration control deals. That is an issue we should look at. I commend former Senator Grace O’Sullivan who is hosting an event today for those humanitarian front-line persons who are trying to help those seeking safety and are being persecuted for doing so.

Can we have those three debates, on biodiversity, on global hunger and on migration, in the new year? I say this because, as I said at the ceremonial sitting on Monday, the Seanad has a strong tradition in looking to international justice issues.

I join other Senators in commending the Cathaoirleach, Senator Mark Daly, on his imaginative, passionate, committed, thoughtful and ambitious period as Cathaoirleach. He has done a great deal in that time. However, I am conscious that not everybody gets to speak at events like the ceremonial sitting. Therefore, it would be useful to have general statements on Seanad 100 in the first week back next year. Given the schedule, there will not be time for such statements before the recess. People right across this House have a great deal to contribute to the discussion on the Seanad, its history and its future. Perhaps we could have an additional session when we come back in the new year to allow for a wide range of contributions from Senators. That would be a really positive debate.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for her kind words. That is an excellent proposal for the new year. As Members know, because we have 60 Senators, not everybody was able to speak at the ceremonial sitting and would not have been unless we made it a two-day event.Every group was allocated time and chose who would speak for them.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I join Senator Mary Seery Kearney in welcoming the proposals from Government about international surrogacy and the recognition of surrogacy arrangements. She did not mention herself in her contribution. She deserves major accolades for her tenacity, professionalism, zeal and drive to make sure that this happened. I sincerely thank her and say well done to her.

We have an orange weather warning forecast for tonight and tomorrow. I ask that the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy O'Brien, come to the House to update us on the State's preparedness for this weather event. It is forecast to be -11°C in some parts of the country. I seek the debate on foot of a contribution on "Morning Ireland" this morning from geriatrician, Dr. Colm Byrne. He spoke about the need for gritted footpaths that could save the State millions and would help to save many of our elderly people, who are vulnerable at this time of year with the cold weather due to the fragility of their bones. If the Minister can come to the House to update us, that is an important matter. I hope and think that we have learned from the mishap of 2010. We now have a different code of warnings for weather.

I share the concerns of some with regard to the proposed planning reform that if we are going to prevent community groups or residents groups from making objections, we should not do so with regard to those in the catchment area of a proposed development. Let us have that debate at a different time.

Sharon Keogan (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I asked the Cathaoirleach and ushers to facilitate me in ensuring that there were no young children in the Gallery. I appreciate that. The Leader may have seen some of the work done last month by the Irish Women's Lobby. It took a deep dive into some reading material that has been recommended for schoolchildren by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA. While many books seemed innocent and helpful enough, a few other entries jumped out. Notably, one book offers detailed instruction on manually bringing men to sexual climax, anal sex and oral sex, with accompanying childish cartoons. The book, titled "This Book is Gay", is written by James Dawson. It is aimed at the junior cycle and it informs children as young as 12 that "perhaps the most important skill you will master as a gay or bi man is the timeless classic, the hand job. The good news is, you can practice on yourself.". While the book is tagged as being for the over-12 or young adult category, it is found on the Rainbow Book List, a project supported by An Post and Children's Books Ireland, which is included in all resource listings for junior infants onwards.

I am sure many members of the LGBT community would share these concerns regarding children and age-appropriate material. The literature about heterosexual relationships does not seem to be as graphic, for whatever reason. It is not a cherrypicked example from a sea of similar content. It is just that inappropriate content happens to be in this particular book. The NCCA leaves it up to individual teachers as to which material they will use, choosing from a list which spans children from birth to 18 years. According to the Irish Women's Lobby, warnings for teachers to note the recommended age range and ensure it is suited for the class levels they teach were only added after the issues were flagged by the NCCA. Parents send their children to school and expect them to come back able to do long division and recite a little Robert Frost, not to be able to inform their parents, as the book states, "each guy has become very used to his own way of getting himself off.".

Nobody voted for this. I assure Members that there would be uproar if this was known by parents throughout the country. Can the Minister, Deputy Foley, urgently address the concerns of these parents and ensure that any and all material used in our schools is age-appropriate? I would say that there needs to be serious repercussions for whoever sanctioned this. It does not reflect the wishes of Irish parents and should not be acceptable in our schools.

Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I concur with the comments of Senator Buttimer with regard to international surrogacy recommendtions which have been accepted by Government. Great praise has to go to our colleague, Senator Mary Seery Kearney. We would not be where we are today without the work that she has put in over the past 24 months. I want to say well done to her for her work on that.

This morning, significant funding was announced under a town and village project, which I have been involved in for a number of years, to develop a skatepark. It is basically the start of a whole new recreational area in Longford town in an area known as the old dog track. There had been proposals for modular housing. It is an area that was zoned for recreational amenity. I think that is what we need to do by putting additional facilities in Longford town to look after the younger generation.

Yesterday, at the Committee on Autism, Fiacre and Carmel Ryan gave evidence. Fiacre is a non-verbal autistic young lad. He did his leaving certificate, and achieved a number of honours, some years ago. He started in Atlantic Technological University in Mayo recently. I will read a couple of lines which were spoken by his mother describing how he felt. He asked us to try to see past the autism and realise that we are the same inside as others. He asked us to please listen to the voices of those who have been silenced by our society and that it is time they are heard, valued and understood. He said it is some people's perception that people who cannot speak do not have intelligence. He said we do not assume that deaf or blind people are of lesser intelligence and asked why we would do so with autism. They are profound words from a young lad.

I hope the evidence they gave yesterday will lead to Government funding for assistive technology. The technology exists and is manufactured in the State. I hope we can allow children, particularly those who are non-verbal or low verbal, to communicate and show how intelligent they really are. It is incumbent on Government in 2023 to do that. The IT exists and is developed in this country. We need to fund it.

Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Well said.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Well said.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Like other colleagues, I commend our colleague, Senator Mary Seery Kearney, on a remarkable achievement in 24 months. We all know how slow Government can be in getting things over the line. This was done relatively quickly when one considers the challenges and difficulties and the fact that a committee was set up. It is great that it has happened. Well done to Senator Seery Kearney.

I encourage people who are in business to take advantage of the business energy support scheme. It is designed to help businesses with energy costs. One can claim up to 40% of the difference between a bill this year and a bill last year. The Government is stepping in to give vital supports to businesses to deal with rising energy costs. We can take some hope from the headlines this morning that the cost of diesel and petrol is back to what it was this time last year. Slowly but surely, we are seeing a recalibration in the right direction of the cost of fuel, particularly in the run-up to Christmas, in this very cold period. At least when people fill up their oil tanks, they will not be charged as much as they would have been three or four months ago. It is a small ray of hope in the distance for something that people can benefit from.

I support Senator Buttimer's call for statements on the weather situation. Every six or 12 months, we need to be briefed in this House on our readiness to deal with weather emergencies. Weather emergencies are now happening much more frequently than in the past. As representatives and leaders in our communities, we need to be fully briefed on what the emergency response will be, depending on the weather warnings.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I would like to raise a number of issues. First, I would like to join with colleagues in complimenting our colleague, Senator Seery Kearney, on her work on and dedication to the issue of surrogacy over the past number of months. I congratulate her. It was a great day for an awful lot of families. The fact that there is now certainty and light at the end of the tunnel is a great compliment. I say, "Well done" to the Senator.

In the lead-up to Christmas, Senator Conway raised business supports and local businesses. It is a time of year that we should encourage everybody to shop and support local. Many local businesses employ people locally. It is important, especially for the small retailers, that we go out and support them when buying presents for people. Many people shop online. I am not knocking the online offering, but local people support and employ local families and they, in turn, go back and spend the money in the economy. I encourage people to try to shop local. Especially in Limerick, we have so much of an offering in terms of crafts, from artists to "Made in Limerick" products. I encourage people to go out and shop local this Christmas.

Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I suspect I will not speak tomorrow, so I want to take this opportunity to thank the Cathaoirleach and recognise the work that he has done over the past couple of years and recognise the incredible support of the permanent staff here - Mr. Martin Groves, Ms Bridget Doody and all of the people in the Seanad. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his patience and perseverance with me.

I want to raise something positive that is happening in Limerick in the Crescent Shopping Centre. A homeless emergency has gone on for a considerable number of years. Right now, the Crescent Shopping Centre has allowed Focus Ireland to open up a pop-up shop where shoppers who are busy getting their presents for Christmas can avail of a wrapping service and make contributions to Focus Ireland, which does incredible work in terms of homelessness and, in particular in Limerick, in terms of the 265 people in emergency accommodation. I was delighted to see one of the Limerick hurlers, namely, Aaron Gillane, a true hero, volunteer his services to that wrapping service and to promote it and show people that it is there. I want to do the same thing and highlight the fact that there is a pop-up shop for Focus Ireland in the Crescent Shopping Centre in Limerick. I encourage everyone when they are shopping locally to support that very useful and valuable service if they can.

Given the challenging year we have had, one of my highlights was seeing Bob Dylan live for the second time. It was a fantastic concert, as always. He is 81 years of age and played for one hour and three quarters without stopping. It was terrific. His favourite song of mine is called “Chimes of Freedom”. It is particularly pertinent to quote from it, given the plight of refugees and, indeed, the plight of so many homeless people this Christmas. He writes of the chimes of freedom flashing:

Flashing for the warriors whose strength is not to fight

Flashing for the refugees on the unarmed road of flight

An’ for each an’ ev’ry underdog soldier in the night

An’ we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing

Bob Dylan is still as relevant as ever in 2022. I wish everyone a happy Christmas.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for his blend of poetry and prose.

Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is hard to follow on from Bob Dylan.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Quite a bit. A Christmas carol might be appropriate.

Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Seery Kearney and the Joint Committee on International Surrogacy. It is a great achievement, and it shows the power of our committees as well. It came together in such a short time, sitting from February onwards to publishing report in June-July to now having more than 30 recommendations and the majority of those getting implemented. Senators were involved in the committee and it has been a great achievement for men and women and families across the country. Well done. That demonstrates the power of committees.

I am overjoyed because we will have hopefully another 40 jobs in Ballinasloe. That is all thanks to the commitment and investment of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, in a remote working hub through the towns and villages funding that was announced this morning. Ballinasloe Area Community Development received nearly €500,000 through the just transition fund two years. It has been working over the past year to two years to design, prepare and get ready to renovate the old bank chambers on Society Street in Ballinasloe. It brought the project to design stage and tender, and it is great to see that this extra injection of investment will bring it to the point where it will now be able to start the works on that building hopefully this year. In 2023, those offices will potentially open for another 40 people to start working in the town of Ballinasloe and shop local, perhaps on Ballinasloe.ie, and support our great town.

It is fantastic to see nearly €1 million being allocated to County Roscommon for the Arigna mines, but also nearly €160,000 for the town of Athleague. It is a fantastic place on the banks of the River Suck. It is getting funding to develop a mindful sort of space called the Circle of Life, where they are focusing on having a green space available for people to come, walk and be mindful. Sometimes we need to take a step back.

Happy Christmas. Hopefully I will get a chance to say it tomorrow too.

Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On a point of order, my apologies, but I forgot to commend Senator Seery Kearney. I want to commend her genuinely on the magnificent achievement in terms of that surrogacy issue. My apologies.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That interruption is more than welcome. I also commend the Senator on her hard work. It is because Members are able to take on those minority issues that changes in our society are made. Without Senator Seery Kearney being in here and taking that leadership role, along with others, and being supported by many of her colleagues, that legislation may not have progressed as it is at this moment in time. I congratulate the Senator. It is no small achievement. She is in the ranks with just a few dozen people who have managed to get legislation like a Private Members’ Bill through this and the other House since 1937. That is an amazing achievement.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators for their contributions. Senator Murphy talked about the important funding under the town and village scheme from the Department and Rural and Community Development. I would like to acknowledge the package announced by the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, today of: €17 million investment in 75 towns and village projects nationwide; €6 million of funding to purchase and redevelop vacant derelict buildings and convert them to community facilities; €2.6 million to upgrade shop fronts and building facades in 26 towns under the streetscape enhancement initiative; and €1.56 million for planning and design works on a range of projects that are an early stage of development. That is very welcome funding for many of our towns and villages. Senator Murphy referenced Ballinasloe and Arigna. He also appealed for the Department and local authorities to get involved to identify why there is not movement on some projects in some local communities that have not been successful. That is very welcome as well. Senators Carrigy and Dolan referenced as well issues and funding under the town and village scheme and I welcome that as well.

Senator Murphy also talked about John Healy, the tragic events in Moneygall and the savaging of up to 50 lambs or hoggets. I can only image the scene that their teenage sons witnessed. I offer my condolences to all involved there. Unfortunately, it is an occurrence that has happened often. I recall from the 1980s an animated advert that used to be on the television of a dog – I cannot remember whether the name was Fido or whatever it was - where it had been let out and savaged sheep and came back home to the house. Perhaps it is time to reshow that put it out on social media platforms as well.

Senator Seery Kearney thanked and congratulated everyone except herself, such is her modesty. However, everyone else mentioned her work on surrogacy. I would like to join with others in commending her on her advocacy in this House, in the committee and within our parliamentary party room, where she has advocated and brought in groups and interested parties to give us their testimony on an important issue. I welcome the Cabinet approval for the amendments to the surrogacy legislation that she has sought. I commend all Ministers, namely, the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, and the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O’Gorman, Professor Conor O’Mahony, the members of the joint Oireachtas committee and, mostly importantly, the Senator for her advocacy for those families and children who will benefit because of these changes that have been initiated.Senator Boyhan referred to the interim report of the committee on the future of the island of Ireland. I am sure the Leader will bring this report to the House for a debate in the new year. It is a worthy request. I will certainly mention it.

Senators Boylan and Higgins mentioned the planning legislation. Obviously the Bill has been approved by the Cabinet and will go to pre-legislative scrutiny where the committee will have an opportunity to assess it. I appreciate that it is a very busy committee. Its members will have an opportunity to assess the intricacies of that Bill. There will be further debates at all Stages in these Houses. There is a concern about the planning process. I suppose the good name that An Bord Pleanála might have had up to the last number of years has been somewhat tarnished of late. It is important that we rebuild confidence in the process and that people have the right to object as individuals. I know there is concern regarding groups financing judicial reviews and all of that. I will leave it to the committee in the initial stages to debate that before it comes to these Houses. I agree that it is a very important issue and I am sure there will be heated debates on the matter.

Senator Boylan referred to a report on domestic violence. That is not on the order for tomorrow but I am sure there will a debate on it in the new year. Refuges are doing very important work, mainly but not exclusively for women who are victims of domestic violence.

Senator Sherlock spoke about Seanad 100. Senator Higgins called for statements on the matter in the new year, which would be important. Maybe we could get Dr. John Bowman back for a longer contribution because he said 15 minutes was not enough. His contribution was certainly very enlightening. The call for statements is something that would be in order.

Senator Sherlock also referenced the East Wall protests and the issue of refugees from the Ukraine war. Like Senator Higgins, she called for a debate on migration in the new year.

Senator Higgins also called for debates on the famine in the Horn of Africa and on the citizens' assembly on biodiversity. They would be important debates, subject to time, although it will be a matter for the incoming Leader or for the House to schedule the Order of Business in the new year.

Senators Buttimer and Conway spoke about the weather warnings and the need to grit footpaths. There is nothing that can be as life-changing as a fall, particularly for our elderly who may be in good health mentally and physically only to suffer a slip or a fall and fracture a hip or a leg. It can be a life-changing event. The gritting of footpaths in cities in towns should certainly be a priority, as should the call for the Minister to come in to make statements on the matter.

Senator Keogan raised issues and her concerns about the NCCA and the curriculum. I do not know. We are a long way since Dr. Alfred Kinsey published Sexual Behavior in the Human Malein 1948 and Sexual Behavior in the Human Femalein 1953. I know puritanism has been described as that haunting fear that someone somewhere is having some fun.

Sharon Keogan (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Hardly.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Children do not need books; they have Google and they find out many things there. As long as people are safe and respectful and anything that is done is consensual and between people of legal age, we have to let people live their own lives.

Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Well said.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Obviously, parents have a right to know what is going on, and I am sure they do.

Sharon Keogan (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That is the most important thing.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

They can engage if they feel there is something inappropriate.

I compliment Senator Carrigy, who is a strong advocate for autism. I attended the launch of the interim report on the summer programme for next year. The Senator commented on the use of technologies for non-verbal children, which is a wonderful suggestion and should be taken up. I am sure he will find support in these Houses for that.

Senator Conway highlighted the reductions in the costs of diesel and petrol, for which we are thankful, and spoke about the temporary energy business support scheme. Thankfully, as a result of the strong tax revenues it has, the Government is in a position to be able to support businesses that need assistance at this time. Indeed, individuals are also being supported under various social welfare schemes but Senator Conway mentioned the help being given to businesses with energy costs under the temporary energy business support scheme.

I concur with what Senator Maria Byrne said about the need to shop locally. While there will be online shopping over the Christmas period, I hope people shop online from Irish companies and such companies are prioritised. Many companies now have an online presence and it is an important part of their business. If people could prioritise Irish shops, that would be beneficial for those companies, for their employees and for the economy and society.

Senator Gavan quoted from Bob Dylan's "Chimes of Freedom" and mentioned the services of the valuable pop-up shops that have appeared in Limerick city.

I have joined Senators in congratulating Senator Seery Kearney.

Senator Dolan spoke about mindfulness, of which we could all be aware and conscious. She also mentioned the supports that are provided under the town and village renewal scheme, as announced today by the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. She referred specifically to the supports being given to Arigna and Ballinasloe under the scheme.

This might be my last ever Order of Business, although who knows? I thank all Senators for their courtesy over the past couple of years and also in my term as Government Chief Whip. I thank everybody both in government and in opposition for their courtesy over the past two and a half years.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is quite a challenge to be the Government Chief Whip in the Dáil or the Seanad, but Senator Kyne has done it, as ever, with great grace and diplomacy. I thank him for all his work in the Seanad and on making Seanad 100 a great success as well. Beidh sé ar ais arís le cúnamh Dé.