Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding report of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach under Seanad Standing Order 116 on a proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing harmonised requirements in the Internal Market on transparency of interest representation carried out on behalf of third countries and amending directive (EU) 2019/1937, COM(2023)637, reasoned opinion, to be taken on conclusion of Order of Business without debate; No. 2 ráitis maidir le Seachtain na Gaeilge, statements on Seachtain na Gaeilge, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to conclude at 2 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening contribution of the Minister not to exceed six minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed nine minutes on which time may be shared and the Minister to be given no less than six minutes to reply to the debate; No. 3, statements to mark International Women’s Day, to be taken at 2 p.m. and to conclude at 3.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening contribution of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes on which time may be shared and the Minister to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; and No. 134(3), Private Members’ business, motion regarding the private rental sector, to be taken at 4 p.m. with the time allocated to the debate not to exceed two hours.

Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)
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Yesterday, I raised the issue of the chronic overcrowding at the accident and emergency department in UHL and the implications that has for the wider community in the mid-west. While the situation clearly has not changed since then, it would be remiss of me not to raise some of the other concerns that exist within that hospital structure and within the hospital's region.

Over the weekend, as I do regularly, I had the opportunity to meet a group of parents who are really concerned about the lack of services for young people, children and adolescents who have what can only be described as mental health issues that broadly come under the eating disorder area. Unfortunately, the mid-west has no dedicated unit to address what is a growing issue for young people. We all know that regardless of the condition, particularly regarding mental health issues, early intervention is an important aspect of treating the condition.

Unfortunately, the mid-west does not have appropriately trained professionals in that area and does not have a designated or dedicated unit. Somebody presenting with an eating disorder at the extreme end finds themselves in the acute mental health unit, which is quite broad-based and does not have the specialist training. I am hearing that the staff are inappropriately trained and do not have the skill sets needed. Parents who can afford treatment overseas are able to travel to the UK and get that level of intervention. That is no way to address the situation. The Minister needs to come before the House. I ask the acting Leader to try to arrange a debate on broader mental health issues for younger people and adolescents with a specific focus on those with an eating disorder.

Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael)
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Tipperary County Council has put forward two important projects for the town of Clonmel. It is awaiting a response and a decision by two Departments. The library in Clonmel has made an application for library capital funding through the Department of Rural and Community Development. This is a really ambitious project to redevelop the main library in Mick Delahunty Square, Clonmel. It is a €10 million project and covers three floors. The existing library is not fit for purpose. It will enhance the whole of Mick Delahunty Square right outside the council offices. It will make that entire area very much a public space with public offices, the library and the tax office. It fits in with the town centre first policy of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and her Department. From the perspective of people living in the town it is a really important project which needs to be supported.

Tipperary County Council has applied for another project under the Department of Transport, which is to redevelop Clonmel town centre as part of the public realm enhancement of the town centre.This is part of an overall redevelopment of the whole town of Clonmel, including Kickham Barracks. It applied to the urban regeneration development fund about a year and a half ago. It was a massive €50 million project to redevelop the town but it was unsuccessful. One of the reasons it was unsuccessful was that the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, said other Departments have to step up and support it as well. The reason I raise this is that the county council and director of services for Clonmel have done what the Minister asked. They asked other Departments to support it. They need to make a decision before the next round of the urban regeneration development fund is set up and before Clonmel puts its application forward for that. We need a decision as quickly as possible. They keep coming back looking for further information, whether it is the Department of Transport or the Department of the environment. We are now at a stage where this application has been ready to go for a number of years but they keep coming back for further information. If they would just make the decision so that when they do, we will be ready with an application to put forward to the urban regeneration development fund.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Cuirim fáilte roimh na daltaí ó rang a sé ó Ghaelscoil Chaladh an Treoigh. Tá fáilte roimh gach duine ar an turas go dtí Teach Laighean. I welcome the students and teachers from the Gaelscoil in Castletroy, Limerick, who are very welcome. I thank them for being here this afternoon.

Tom Clonan (Independent)
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The guests are all very welcome here this morning. I will raise a couple of issues this morning. First of all, my dad was a carpenter before he joined the Garda. As a consequence, when I was the age of our guests, I spent every weekend and every summer working with my dad. I learned a great deal about carpentry, joinery and all sorts of other stuff, so I am pretty handy. Today, I went-----

Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein)
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I have a whole list of jobs.

Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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Are you free this weekend?

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Once the Senator pays his income tax on the extra earnings he is all right.

Tom Clonan (Independent)
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I am watching the clock.

Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)
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He is showing up the rest of us. All the greats-----

Michael McDowell (Independent)
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He is building a gallows this weekend.

Tom Clonan (Independent)
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Do not worry, I will make the drop very generous. I have actually measured the step out in the Speaker's Corridor. There is a requirement there for a ramp. This is the corridor the guests came up. I saw them out there with the usher. I have, on more than one occasion, encountered wheelchair users who are stuck in the Speaker's Corridor while the rest of the group go out and look at the portraits of Charles J. Haughey, Bertie Ahern, etc. I actually think that is disgraceful. We represent the people. This is an Oireachtas, a gathering of people, for the people. I ask that a ramp be put in the Speaker's Corridor. I mentioned the carpentry and the measurements because I took the measurements this morning and I could actually get the materials for that from Blackrock Building Providers. I reckon it would cost about €25. I could put that ramp together myself in about 40 minutes. I do not need a GoFundMe page and neither does Oireachtas Éireann. Can we please take whatever action is required to put that ramp in place? We have to send a signal that we care about people who have disabilities.

Finally, I do not know what is going to happen on Friday. However, whatever happens on Friday, we need to have a debate in this House about the manner in which ableist narratives have been given dominance in our public discourse particularly on the second referendum. I have heard some very high profile spokespersons for publicly-funded NGOs saying that disabled citizens must wait and must subordinate their fundamental human rights. It is as though they are saying "Disabled people: know your place." I have also seen some very high profile spokespersons on the Yes-Yes campaign, one of whom has recently been appointed to the Electoral Commission. There are serious questions to be answered about the manner in which this legislation was put through to begin with, and the manner in which this debate was handled. We shall see on Friday and Saturday. I will be in Dublin Castle on Saturday morning to comment on the outcome. We have, as a nation, as an Oireachtas, serious questions to answer about how we regard disabled citizens. We have worked very hard for the LGBTQI community. We have done a great deal of work on gender equality. The disabled citizens of Ireland live in abject circumstances. That has been reinforced by much of the narrative in this debate.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I will raise the matter on behalf of Senator Clonan at the next meeting of the commission. It is fair to say that the Oireachtas cares about people with disabilities. We have a good, inclusive record, to be fair to the Houses of the Oireachtas. I know the Senator does not mean that. I take his point and it is very well made.

Annie Hoey (Labour)
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Today I draw attention to the dire conditions in the pig industry revealed yesterday by both the National Animal Rights Association and Animal Rebellion Ireland. They partnered a few months ago in January 2024 to investigate Ireland's pig industry. They chose at random the pig farms to go into in an effort to give an honest insight as to what happens in Irish pig farms. The results were absolutely devastating and horrific. They are available online if anyone wants to see. It takes a strong stomach to watch the videos because the footage is absolutely appalling. The National Animal Rights Association and Animal Rebellion Ireland asked a simple question: "What is the life of a pig in Ireland?" Unfortunately, the answer was incredibly simple; it is an absolutely awful, horrific life. Pigs on Irish farms are subject to sow stalls, farrowing crates, fattening pens, lack of adequate veterinary treatments, internal infections, dying and dead pigs left in corridors and piled up outside. To top this off there are such conditions as diarrhoea, stress-caused hunger, open internal wounds, potbellies and arthritis. These complications are reflected in agricultural antibiotic consumption as 40% of the veterinary antibiotic prescriptions in Ireland are for pigs. This diseased flesh is further reconsumed in the UK and Ireland. There are reasonable concerns about the impact that can have on the well-being of those who consume it.

It is important to bring attention to some of the issues that lie at the core of this problem. Warrants for inspections are extremely common, allowing room for biased inspection results and forged farm conditions at the time of inspection. Furthermore, there are many loopholes enabling unethical practices on the farm, such as tail docking, which is banned in the EU. These are issues that require immediate attention. It is striking that 99% of all Irish pigs live in these conditions.

Ireland's meat sector not only involves injustice to animals but also to farmers and exploited workers. The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland highlighted that workers in the meat sector are poorly paid, poorly treated and not one single worker who they surveyed, felt valued. This is not just an animal rights and welfare issue. It is also an issue that affects the workers in the sector. Quite frankly, the pig industry is an abomination. Nobody could look at the pigs in those stalls, crates or pens and convince themselves that they are content or well cared for. I have spoken here before about our need to have a conversation about animal welfare and to have the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine come in. I have talked about wildlife welfare. Other people in this House have talked about this too. It is actually time for us to have a conversation about this, not just the vegan in the room. There are other Senators in this House who have said we have to have a conversation about how we treat our livestock and animals in Ireland. I think we should invite the Minister in.

Tom Clonan (Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Annie Hoey (Labour)
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Forgive me for not staying for the remainder of this session. I have an audiovisual room briefing with the Acting Leader and my former comrades at the Union of Students in Ireland, where we will discuss their digs research and legislation.

Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein)
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I wish to propose an amendment to the Order of Business that No. 12 be taken before No. 1. Sinn Féin, like many other organisations, people in the public, in civil society organisations and many political parties have long supported the naming of the national children's hospital for Dr. Kathleen Lynn. She was a remarkable woman, who at various times was chief medical officer, vice president of Sinn Féin, Captain of the Irish Citizen Army and the first female doctor at Dublin's Eye and Ear Hospital. Dr. Kathleen Lynn was deeply engaged in women's suffrage campaigns, the labour movement and the national movement of the early 20th century. As we know, her life's work was the establishment of St. Ultan's Hospital, Ireland's first children's hospital. She founded that hospital in 1919 with her partner Madeleine ffrench-Mullen and a group of women activists in response to the plight of paediatric care at the time. The hospital's services were ultimately, in 1984, incorporated into the National Children's Hospital, Harcourt Street. Naming the new national children's hospital after Dr. Lynn, which this Bill intends to do, seems the ultimate gesture in acknowledging the pioneering role of this medic who persevered in her chosen career. She persevered with the duty of care to others, even when subjected to discrimination and some pretty brutal sexism.Ultimately, naming the new national children's hospital in honour of Dr. Kathleen Lynn is the most positive statement Irish society can make about maintaining continuity with the ideals and aspirations of that earlier pioneering generation which Dr. Lynn represents. This was a generation whose business was highly attuned to righting social injustice, about doing nothing less than building a real and genuine republic and creating equality for all in access to health and public services. I and my Sinn Féin colleagues, Senators Boylan and Gavan, are honoured to salute Dr. Lynn by tabling this Private Members' Bill on First Stage. I hope all Senators will support it.

Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the decision by an investigation group in An Garda Síochána to clear a garda member in the midlands who, during the Covid-19 pandemic, gave an unclaimed bicycle to a poor, unfortunate person living in a rural area. The garda was suspended for three years, his family went through hell and I do not know what his neighbours thought. This type of carry-on is not acceptable. I understand that he gave out the bicycle without filing the proper paperwork but so be it. That should have been dealt with straightaway. Remember we were in the middle of an epidemic at the time.

This is a very serious issue. We have to think about other human beings and how they were treated. The matter is now in the hands of the Garda Commissioner who will make the final decision. The disciplinary group has cleared the garda, who faced five charges for five alleged misdemeanours for giving an unclaimed bicycle to a man whose bicycle had broken down and wanted to go to a shop, or whatever, to get a few messages. For minor issues, there should be a slap on the wrist. For major issues, I understand they should be dealt with as major matters. It is good to see the investigation cleared the garda in question.

Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)
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Hear, hear.

Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail)
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I hope the Commissioner will now follow suit and give him full clearance. I ask that the Seanad send a letter to the Minister for Justice to ensure this type of treatment is not meted out to any other person. We praised gardaí during the Covid-19 period for what they did in looking after people, just as all of the front-line workers did. This case was a terrible injustice.

Tom Clonan (Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I raise the proposal to have the World Rally Championship held in Ireland in one of the years between 2025 and 2028. Limerick, Waterford and Kerry were successful in this regard. The decision is now before the Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy Byrne, and has to be signed off by Monday. The problem is that if it is not signed off by Monday, the event will move outside of Ireland. There is fierce pressure from those involved in Motorsport Ireland. I believe this event will bring huge economic benefit to all parts of Ireland. Holding it in Limerick, Waterford and Kerry will be very beneficial to the Munster region given the tourism it will generate and the number of supporters of the rally who will visit and stay in hotels.

I ask the Leader to support this by contacting the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne. I know the Minister of State is busy at the moment because of the referendum but it is very important that this decision is signed off. Ireland cannot afford to lose this rally. I ask the Leader to give a commitment that she will contact the office of the Minister of State today. I have sent it an email to remind the Minister of State that this needs to be signed off by Monday at the latest.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I join the Irish National Teachers Organisation, INTO, in its call for age-appropriate mental health support for children in teachers' care. The INTO has been to the fore regarding the mental health of children in school. It has continually expressed concern and sought additional resources for the welfare of the children in teachers' care. I am a great supporter of the INTO, which does amazing work. Teachers do not only teach; they also advocate for a whole range of services for children in education. I want to acknowledge that.

The INTO has concerns about the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, and sees greater potential for it. NEPS is very important. INTO is seeking the expansion and redevelopment, or certainly a reassessment, of early years therapy support for schools to be expanded. Clearly, the issue is with the funding of schools and the need to support the INTO's call to put supports in place for the mental health and emotional care of the children in teachers' care. I join it in that campaign. It is important it is supported and I appeal to Senators on all sides of the House to raise the matter at their parliamentary party meetings and with their ministerial contacts.

I also acknowledge the work of the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, on the further roll-out of the school books scheme. The Government has invested €50 million to provide school books, workbooks and copy books for 558,000 pupils. It is important to acknowledge that. It is a good news story and we must not lose sight of progress in education, particularly for children in early years education.

Those are two issues of concern to the INTO. I would like, if possible, to invite the Minister for Education to the House to have a discussion on these two matters.

Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail)
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I ask for a debate on the new interdepartmental group to accelerate the work on ratifying the protocol of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD. We have heard so much about this, with dancing around the corridors and setting up groups here, there and everywhere. We now have a group on the optional protocol. We are supposed to have done this already and I would very much like to have a debate on it. I ask that the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, come in here to outline what exactly this interdepartmental body will do and what the Department of children, as lead Department on this, is doing already with all the other Departments. As a member of the Joint Committee on Disability Matters, I see that no other Department is taking this on board wholeheartedly and fully.

While I welcome anything related to the ratification of the optional protocol, we have to be very clear here. After all local remedies have been taken care of, we would then be able to use the optional protocol and bring the matter to the UN. Perhaps as part of this interdepartmental committee, which will hopefully report very soon, we can start talking about the local remedies open to people with disabilities. I am not putting the onus on people with disabilities to take this country to court when it is not upholding the UNCRPD, but we need to be able to know what we can do because it is very clear that we are dancing around the corridors on the implementation of the UNCRPD in so many ways. An awful lot of actions are being taken but it is not enough.

Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein)
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I second the proposed amendment regarding Senator Warfield's Bill on naming the children’s hospital after Dr. Kathleen Lynn. She is my personal hero and, as Senator Warfield said, she was one of the founders of St. Ultan's Hospital, the first infant hospital in Ireland. She was motivated by the abject poverty and treatment of women in this country. It was interesting that the Catholic Church eventually ensured that the hospital was shut down because Dr. Lynn was telling women about reproductive rights at the time.

I am happy to second the amendment. I realise the Seanad has passed motions twice on this issue. Sinn Féin now believes it is important to bring forward legislation so that rather than just putting words behind our support for naming the hospital after Dr. Kathleen Lynn, we actually implement that decision.

Tom Clonan (Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein)
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I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 11 be taken before No. 1. No. 11 is a Bill I am seeking to introduce to ban fossil fuel advertising. We know that fossil fuel companies have been using renewable energy in advertisements showing wind turbines and solar panels to effectively greenwash what their actual activities are. For example, Shell has absolutely no plans to reduce its fossil fuel exploration or use by 2030. In fact, its plans are to increase use by 20%. Only 1% of Shell's investment is in renewable energy sources. Equally, BP used its sponsorship of the end of days exhibition in the British Museum to get access to politicians in Britain to greenwash its activities there.It is long overdue that we treat fossil fuel companies exactly in the same manner as we have treated tobacco companies, which is to effectively ban any fossil fuel advertising whatsoever. We know what they are doing and we know their agenda, which certainly is not the phase-out of fossil fuels.

Sharon Keogan (Independent)
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I wish to correct the record of the House in regard to the Acting Leader’s comment yesterday. The Electoral Commission claimed a poster I sponsored is factual-----

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Sorry, the Senator cannot correct the record of the House on behalf of the Acting Leader. If the Acting Leader made an incorrect comment, the Acting Leader, whomever that was - I was not here - clears up the matter. The Senator may ask that the Acting Leader, whomever it was yesterday, to clarify. However, she cannot clarify on the Acting Leader's behalf, whomever the Acting Leader was. The Senator cannot do that, sorry. The Senator can ask that the Acting Leader clarify his or her remarks.

Sharon Keogan (Independent)
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I can ask the Acting Leader to clarify.

Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael)
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If that was the case, then you would have to clarify-----

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Sorry, Senator Ahearn. Senator Keogan, without interruption please. I ask Senator Ahearn to withdraw that remark please. Senator Keogan is making a contribution on the Order of Business. Senator Ahearn has an opinion and Senator Keogan has an opinion.

Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael)
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But-----

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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They both have their have opinion but they are not entitled throw spars across the floor. Senator Keogan please. I will let the clock run for her.

Sharon Keogan (Independent)
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The Electoral Commission claimed a poster I sponsored is factual misrepresentation of the existing text of the Constitution with regard to the two proposals being voted on on Friday. There is no error in this. I was never contacted by the commission before it released a statement about me. The Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, writing in the Irish Independent yesterday, said that a “Yes” vote means more help for carers. Why has the commission not corrected this blatant falsehood? Time after time, the Supreme Court relied on Article 41.2 in divorce cases. The court rejected in divorce cases, in assessing alimony and maintenance, that a woman is obliged to seek work outside the home out of economic necessity. This article protects women in divorce cases who wish to parent in the home. Removing this protection puts women at risk of being forced to work outside the home. This is the point of my poster and I will hold the Electoral Commission accountable for its bias.

In addition, the commission’s so-called research advisory group further brings into question the bias of the organisation. This group includes senior NGO officials who have a clear agenda in the very referendums and elections that the commission is meant to regulate impartially. This group includes an officer of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, an officer of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and Orla O’Connor of the National Women’s Council of Ireland. How can we trust in the impartiality of the commission when its own advisory board is stacked with individuals who have vested interest in the outcome of these crucial decisions? Clearly, the composition of the Electoral Commission does not inspire confidence in its ability to fill its duties impartially.

It is still possible in Ireland to have an opposition to the Government for now but it might not be for much longer.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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With regard to contributions on the Order of Business, I remind all Members of the House of all hues that it is an opportunity for them to come into the House to raise a matter. Please be cognisant that in referencing people, whether members of government, NGOs, political bodies, political organisations or whomever, they are not here to defend themselves; they are outside of the House. I ask Members to please be careful in their remarks. Equally, regarding the Electoral Commission, it is an impartial independent group separate from any of us in the Oireachtas. I ask Members to be cognisant of that when making allegations about it. That applies to all Members, including myself.

Ar son gach ball den Seanad, cuirim fáilte mhór roimh ghaelscoil as Luimneach, Gaelscoil Chaladh an Treoigh. Bhí rang eile ón scoil anseo cheana. Tá céad míle fáilte roimh na daltaí agus na múinteoirí. Anois ba mhaith liom glaoch ar an Seanadóir Robbie Gallagher.

Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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In 2022, 901 animals were attacked by dogs: 755 sheep and 77 cattle were attacked. Unfortunately, that figure is on the rise. The scene of a sheep attack by dogs is truly horrific, apart from the financial burden it inflicts upon the farmer and his family. For example, losing ten pregnant ewes could cost as much as €2,000 to replace. Apart from the financial hardship, there is also the psychological damage it does to the farmer and the family’s mental health and well-being. I compliment my colleague, Senator Erin McGreehan, who has been pushing hard for legislation to be introduced by Government to address this issue. I am glad to report it is progressing well. I compliment her on her work on that.

I make two appeals this morning. First, I appeal to Government to move swiftly to bring in legislation that would increase the penalty for dog owners, who are responsible for where their pets are at any given time. I also make an earnest appeal to dog owners. The vast majority of dog owners are responsible but, unfortunately, whether beknown to them or not, when dogs get together in groups, a dog can end up not being a family pet but being a savage beast, as I have witnessed myself. I ask of this especially during this time of year, lambing period, which now with us. There is nothing more uplifting as you drive around the countryside than seeing a number of lambs bouncing in the field. For these poor, defenceless animals, I appeal to all dog owners, particularly at this time of year, to make sure they know the whereabouts of their dog at all times.

Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael)
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I support the comments of Senator Gallagher and pay tribute to Senator McGreehan on her work. I met with the IFA sheep committee in Longford approximately 12 months ago about this. We need to strengthen the fines. Each local authority needs to step up to the mark, particularly with dog wardens. I saw a survey recently where a significant number of local authorities issue no fines at all. They do not seem to be too active on the ground in implementing what is already there, so I urge that would happen.

I wish to speak on the news today that a garda based in the midlands was cleared of a wrongdoing following an internal disciplinary procedure within An Garda Síochána for borrowing a bike out of a storeroom to get home. It is unacceptable. Garda headquarters needs to review the disciplinary procedures in An Garda Síochána. The gardaí need to be able to go out and do their job, which is to protect and serve all the citizens of the country, without fear. Unfortunately, that is not the case with a significant number of cases that have been taken both in internal investigations and with GSOC. Senator Tim Lombard, through the petitions committee, will have GSOC in. GSOC officials will come into an Oireachtas committee to address and speak about this issue. There is a fear among rank-and-file gardaí out doing their job of what disciplinary procedures will be thrown at them. In this case, the garda was suspended for three years and not able to do the job he entered the force to do more than, I think, 30 years ago.

I ask that we send correspondence to the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner to highlight the concerns we have and review its disciplinary procedures to bring them in line to allow gardaí to do the job they do well up and down the country, protecting and serving every citizen of this country without fear.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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Yet again today I stand up to raise the issue of University Hospital Limerick, UHL. As people heard on the news, today is the third day that elective procedures have been cancelled in counties Clare, Limerick and Tipperary. It is completely unacceptable that we are still in this situation in March. I want a debate with the Minister for Health in the House specifically on UHL. People are just flabbergasted that it is getting worse and worse instead of getting better. I have great sympathy for the people who find themselves on trolleys and chairs in UHL, especially elderly people. It is totally unacceptable. People are sick enough without having to go through what they are going through at present. I really believe that at this stage it is urgent that the Minister for Health comes to the House to make a statement specifically on UHL.

Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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I thank Members for their contributions. Senators Dooley and Conway raised again the situation at University Hospital Limerick. As the Leader indicated yesterday, it is hoped to try to have a debate on this issue. There is a question as to why it is that Limerick is always in the news, unlike any other hospital in the country. I look at what we have been able to do in Waterford and Wexford, where we do not seem to have the same problems. The Leader is looking to try to facilitate the debate.

Senator Dooley also raised the need for a discussion on the question of eating disorders. This has been an issue on which the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, has been quite strong and we can look to facilitate a debate on it.

Senator Ahearn raised questions about the historic town of Clonmel and the development of the town centre. He made a particularly strong case for the library. I have absolutely no doubt the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, cannot wait to get her hands on the scissors to officially open the library in Clonmel.

Senator Clonan could be very busy every weekend having declared his carpentry skills in his contribution. It is very fair that the House should be fully accessible. I acknowledge it is not only an issue for those who use wheelchairs. I have seen people with mobility difficulties tripping on the steps. As the Cathaoirleach has indicated, it should be raised with the commission. It should be a relatively easy fix.

Senator McGreehan also raised the question of a debate on disability in terms of the UN convention. We could have a debate on disability issues more generally in the House. I will undertake to raise this to see whether we can have such a debate.

Senator Hoey raised very serious concerns about problems in the pig industry. There are certainly problems in the pig industry but it is unfair to describe the industry as a whole as an abomination. There are many very responsible pig farmers who are equally disgusted by poor practice in their industry. Certainly the points Senator Hoey made on poor practice are legitimate.

Senator Warfield proposed taking No. 12 and this was seconded by Senator Boylan. This is with regard to the naming of the national children's hospital after Kathleen Lynn. There is cross-party consensus. As Senator Boylan said, we have passed motions on the issue. There is general consensus that she would be the appropriate person to name the hospital after.

Senators Murphy and Carrigy raised the rather bizarre case of a Garda who because of a humanitarian gesture was subjected to fairly draconian disciplinary procedures. It is only fair to express concerns and solidarity with the Garda.

Senator Maria Byrne spoke about the world car rally that is taking place. I contacted the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, to stress the importance of Monday. As soon as we can get an answer I will let her know. I am sure the Minister of State is aware of the issue.

Senator Boyhan raised the issue of having a discussion on mental health supports. We can have this with the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, along with the eating disorder discussion. Senator Boyhan also paid tribute to the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, on the extension of the free school books initiative to junior cycle at second level. That is something that Senator Murphy raised yesterday. It is a very positive development in reducing the costs of education. The Minister did it for primary schoolchildren last year. It has been extended to the junior cycle and certainly the intention is to move it to senior cycle.

In addition to seconding the motion proposed by Senator Warfield, Senator Boylan also sought that No. 11, the Bill on a ban on fossil fuel advertising, be taken today. We are happy to amend the Order of Business to do this.

Senator Keogan made a number of remarks on the independent Electoral Commission. The commission is independent, as the Cathaoirleach said. It was a fresh initiative of the Government and it was very welcome to get an independent agency managing our elections and referendums. It is doing a lot of very good work and it will build. Yesterday, I had a discussion here with the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, on some of the research it is doing on how it can make our elections and polling places more accessible. I certainly agree with the Cathaoirleach that we need to defend the fact we have independent State institutions that operate our elections and referendums.

Senators Gallagher and Carrigy raised the question of dog attacks. That is a big concern throughout the country, particularly for sheep farmers. They acknowledged the work done by Senator McGreehan on this. Anyone who has engaged with the IFA, and particularly the sheep sector, is very aware of concerns about stray dogs. The ongoing problems in this area are simply not acceptable.

I agree with Senator Gavan. It is important there is justice for Sean Brown. He was an entirely innocent man. He had no political role. He was a community man. For him and his family it is important that the truth emerges.

To respond to Senator Conway, it is a mystery to all of us at this stage as to why Limerick hospital regularly features in the news. We have undertaken to try to get the Minister for Health in to discuss it.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Senator Warfield has proposed an amendment to the Order Of business that: "No. 12 be taken before No. 1", which was seconded by Senator Boylan. The Acting Leader has indicated he is prepared to accept the amendment. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Senator Boylan has moved an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 11 be taken before No. 1", which was seconded by Senator Gavan. The Acting Leader has indicated he is prepared to accept the amendment. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Is the Order of Business, as amended, agreed?

Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail)
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I asked that we send a letter to the Minister for Justice regarding how Garda discipline is handled. I am sure that is agreed.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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We do not need agreement for it. It is up to the Leader to do it.