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

The Order of Business is No. 48, motion 1, Private Members' business in the name of the Fine Gael Senators, a motion regarding higher education, to be taken at 5.15 p.m., with the time allocated for the debate not to exceed two hours.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Today is a special day. It marks the 80th birthday of a Kildare icon who is known nationally and internationally, namely Christy Moore. He is somebody we are very proud to call a son of Kildare. There is no doubt that his songs have been the soundtrack to so many of our lives and tell us stories with honesty, humour and great heart. I thank Christy on his special day for the music and the passion. I wish him joy and health at this time.

Somebody who formerly worked in this House sent me a TikTok video at the weekend. I was quite shocked when I saw it. The video emanated from a visitor to the Oireachtas who was here as a guest of one of the Members. In it, the Houses of the Oireachtas, the Members' restaurant and the food on offer were slagged off. It was stated that the food was like dog food or worse. It was compared with excrement and vermin and rats were discussed. We have the best staff who support and serve us in Leinster House. What an insult this video is to the catering staff, who try to look after all of us, those who work here and guests. The video was shocking. I have no sanctioned role, but I am going to write to the Ceann Comhairle about this matter. We just discussed decorum at the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight. If any of us have guests on the premises who do this type of thing, it is completely wrong.

I wish to raise the issue of insurance. A public consultation phase on insurance reform is currently in place. It will remain open until 19 May. When I checked it, only five submissions had been received. It is important to keep both liability and motor insurance premiums low. A recommendation was sent by the Judicial Council to the Minister to the effect that personal injury awards be increased by almost 17%. That would inevitably lead to increased premiums for motorists, businesses, sports clubs and community and voluntary groups across the country. This should be a matter of public policy. It should not be a matter for the Judiciary; it should be a matter for the Legislature. I am very conscious that for those in the leisure industry, where operational costs are already very challenging, this increase, if implemented, would reduce the volume of cases settled at the Injuries Resolution Board and lead to an increase in legal costs. We should have a debate regarding insurance and the proposed increase in awards.

Manus Boyle (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will again talk about the National Ambulance Service. I will keep bringing this up until somebody listens. On Saturday, 26 April, an 86-year-old man fell outside his home in Kilcar. His daughter called 999 at 11.02 and was told there were no ambulances available in County Donegal on the day. That is hard to believe for a county of that size. The only ambulance that was available was in Boyle, County Roscommon. She was told it would be 55 minutes before the ambulance would be there. As the Leader will know, there is a big difference between Boyle in Roscommon and Kilcar in Donegal. The daughter rang back at 11.43 to see what was holding up the ambulance and was told it would be a further 30 minutes. That was more realistic. The ambulance arrived at the house at 12.40, one hour and 40 minutes after being called. The daughter said that the staff in the ambulance were more than good. They were very good to her father and looked after him in every way. They could not have been better. I applaud the ambulance people. They are very good when they turn up. The patient arrived at the hospital three hours and 40 minutes after the first 999 call. That is totally unacceptable. The system is not working. I want an urgent review of the ambulance service. Do rural communities not count for anything in Ireland? We are out on a limb in County Donegal. This is the fourth time I have brought this up since I was first elected to this House. I ask for an urgent review to see what is going on with the ambulance service. Perhaps the Leader could try to make progress on this for me because it is vital to the people of Donegal that we get this sorted before it is too late.

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

I will raise two issues. One relates to strengthening our local democracy. It is said that local government is the beating heart of our democracy. That is very true. We have just shy of 1,000 sitting county councillors in this country. There is less than a page in the programme for Government, which I have in front of me here, regarding strengthening our local democracy. One of the key aspects of political reform and strengthening local democracy is that the Government was to establish a task force on local democracy and local government. That arises from an initiative of the Cathaoirleach, who led the Seanad committee meetings on local democracy and political reform. We had very extensive engagement on that. From my contacts in the Department, I understand the terms of reference for that task force are being finalised. It is important we look at that given it was discussed by a Seanad committee. We should afford some time to go through the highlights of the recommendations. We should also have some influence on the terms of reference. After all, councillors are the electorate for the majority of Senators. We are connected. Many of us are former local councillors ourselves. We should demonstrate our absolute commitment. I know some of the representative bodies of councillors were here to meet some of our Senators today. I ask that we make time in our schedule to recap the key highlights of that report and to feed into the task force's terms of reference. I ask that the Leader use his good offices to find out the status of that task force and its proposed make-up.

I again ask for a debate on the Housing Commission. We have not had a debate on the Housing Commission, which made very extensive recommendations. I raised the issue of tenants' rights as a Commencement matter today. The other day, the Government announced thousands of inspections for the private sector. There was no mention of who was to inspect local authority houses, the social housing in this country. All tenants should have the same rights to redress and the same access to the Residential Tenancies Board, whether they are in the public sector or private sector. There should be rental tenancy agreements in place for everyone. We should not differentiate. The Minister came to the House today and told us there is no proposal for local authority inspections but that the Department might consider it. I am yet again calling for that. I will finish on this. If anyone saw the news on RTÉ last night, they will have seen Samantha Libreri reporting on the appalling conditions in a council house in north County Dublin. There was an infestation of rats, wires hanging out and lights hanging off the walls. The tenant made a very strong case. She could not get any redress and that is simply not good enough.I want that reviewed again. More important, however, is the strong recommendation in the report of the Housing Commission that public tenants of our 31 local authorities be included in the remit of the Residential Tenancies Board. There is a good case for that and I would like to elaborate on that recommendation when the House has a debate, if the Leader organises one.

Conor Murphy (Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Some years ago at the citizens assembly, there was a strong recommendation that the Government give consideration to introducing voting rights in presidential elections for Irish citizens north of the Border and potentially throughout the Irish diaspora. The Government at the time undertook to legislate to do that but it failed to do so in the last mandate. It has not appeared in the programme for Government in this mandate, which is doubly disappointing given there is a presidential election coming up in the autumn. There is a real sense of despair and of being let down among many citizens, particularly north of the Border, who had wished to have an opportunity to vote for the President who is, as his title decrees, the President of Ireland.

Yesterday, in the Assembly in Stormont, a majority of MLAs voted to call on the Government to extend voting rights in the presidential election to citizens in the North. The fact that a majority of MLAs elected in the North voted to support that proposition should not be underestimated. It was a significant vote. The First Minister has undertaken to speak to the Taoiseach in relation to the outcome of the vote. I ask that the Leader bring the matter to the attention of the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste; that the Taoiseach and Tánaiste recognise that a democratic imperative has been created in the Assembly in respect of this matter; that they engage with the First Minister and others who are interested - and wide sectors in the North and across the island are interested - in this proposition; and that they move to reinstate the commitment they previously made to ensure voting rights for people north of the Border. I am not sure if that is doable this side of a presidential election. It is, however, deeply disappointing that something that was committed to was not delivered in the last mandate and that, it would seem, there is no intention of delivering on it in this one.

I hope the vote that took place in the Assembly will give some impetus to this discussion. Its significance as regards where people are at on the northern side of the Border should not be lost on this democratic institution. I hope the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste will reflect on that and bring forward propositions to address this matter urgently.

Malcolm Noonan (Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I welcome the interventions made yesterday by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste relating to the acts of terror being carried out by the Israeli state and Israel Defense Forces. Calling those acts a war crime is calling them what they are. We all absolutely deplore the holding back of food aid and destroying of the means of producing food - bakeries, fishing boats and greenhouses. This is the ultimate cruelty. More European countries, as well as the international community, need to step up, in particular the US, and intervene in what is fast becoming a humanitarian tragedy of unimaginable proportions. Israel, including through its bombing of Yemen, is now acting as a rogue state. That is very important. Again, I welcome the intervention by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste yesterday.

I raise the issue of water quality and research from Teagasc and the University of Galway under the WaterMARKE programme, which is looking at water quality measures that farmers are implementing. It is largely beef and sheep farmers getting involved in schemes because many farmers in the dairy sector find that participating in schemes presents onerous challenges as regards the hassle and training involved and the loss of productive land. Very clear findings are emerging from this research. These look at the next CAP strategic plan and the redesign of the agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, which many farmers are fed up with. Professor Cathal O’Donoghue from the University of Galway made comments on making system-wide efforts to embed a much more holistic, farm-by-farm approach.The National Parks and Wildlife Service had a fantastic farm plan scheme, which should be rolled out on a much grander scale. Greater flexibility is required to allow wider participation and innovation in these schemes for the dairy sector. There are significant challenges in that sector.

Good work is going on across the country. I pay tribute to Bryan and Gail Daniels in Kilmoganny in County Kilkenny. They have recently become Farming for Nature ambassadors. They do incredible work on their farm, and have been for many years. They mix clover into the grass mix and have riparian zones, etc. Some of these simple measures can have a positive impact, farm by farm. Those measures include cutting off drinking water sources and putting in point sources from which animals can drink. All such measures could have a positive impact on our water quality as we move to implement the water action plan and try to get our water quality to a good status.

I again urge the Department of agriculture to look at this research. I ask the Minister, in particular, to take on board the outputs of the research.

Fantastic work is also going on in Teagasc, which is now employing officers across the country to work on a catchment-by-catchment basis. There is a great opportunity here that needs to be seized by the Government. We must support farmers to do the right thing through applying the right measure in the right place.

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

Before I call the next speaker, I welcome to the Visitors Gallery the aunts and uncle of Albert Dolan TD. Annette, Nuala and Peter are most welcome and I thank them for being in Seanad Éireann. I am sure this is payback for all the canvassing they had to do during the election campaign.

Lynn Ruane (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I hope that in the coming weeks we can arrange statements on the recent publication of the review of the operation of section 7A of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993. I was in the minority in this Chamber in 2017. Only a couple of us at that time spoke against the introduction of section 7A. It was promised at the time that there would be a review of the Act by 2020. Five years later, we finally see that review.

I have gone through the review extensively in the weeks since its publication. There were 1,200 public surveys and approximately 199 written submissions. A large majority of those spoke to the risks of, and concerns around, section 7A. It seemed to me that the majority of those contributions spoke about the risks of the section but that does not seem to be reflected in the review. The House should have a discussion of the issue and statements on the review.

I will give some context. People who oppose the legislation have said, much as they did in 2017, that a power imbalance is created between a person who sells sex and a person who buys sex. To criminalise the person who buys sex seems like the right move in many people's minds but what sex workers have said time and time again is that because the larger risk is with the person in danger of being criminalised, the sex workers must engage in riskier behaviour. The person buying sex takes more control and power because that person is taking the biggest risk in the transaction. Sex workers and those involved in sex work have long said that this imbalance puts their lives in danger. Under the brothel keeping legislation, two people working together could be seen as a brothel. People work together for safety.

If people can put out of their minds the morality perspective and the question of whether they agree with the activity itself, this is about what we can do to cause the least amount of harm and risk to an extremely vulnerable group in society. Sex workers have said time and again that the legislation increases the risk to them and their lives. When we consider the small minority of people who have received convictions under this legislation, we can see it does not do what it was intended to. The legislation does not drive down demand for this type of transaction in any shape or form. I hope we can have statements on that review in the coming weeks.

Shane Curley (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Last week, I sat with a family devastated by the effects of HHC. For people who may not be aware of it, HHC is a synthetic drug which is widely available in vapes from vape shops in cities, towns and villages throughout the country. HHC is consumed through normal vapes. More and more young people are being exposed to these vapes, which can be legally bought. At present, HHC is not illegal and this is a serious problem.

The advertising that goes on for HHC is criminal. Companies are clearly targeting young people. A constituent in my area told me that her son, who is 14 years of age, said to her last week that the vapes looked like Hallowe'en sweets.

This is a strong drug that can have devastating impacts. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that HHC is leading to psychotic episodes, which sometimes lead to suicide. This is tragic and families lives are being turned upside down. I encourage people to look at how these products are being advertised in vape shops. As recently as 2024, the Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine said these products are likely to be precipitating psychotic episodes. HHC is a relatively new drug and there is not a huge body of medical evidence about it, but it is becoming increasingly evident how dangerous it is.

I request a debate with the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill on two issues in this regard: that HHC be added to the list of controlled substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, which is vital, and, even more importantly right now, the need to launch a strong public awareness campaign through the HSE to highlight the dangers posed by HHC to young people before more lives are lost. The effect on the family I sat with last week is devastating. We need to act quickly.

Paraic Brady (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I raise once again the issue of the cost of bovine TB to the beef and dairy sectors and to general agriculture throughout Ireland. Bovine TB costs Irish farmers in excess of €150 million, according to a new report. I welcome the emergency TB summit meeting which the Minster, Deputy Martin Heydon, has called for. He intends to meet representatives from all the farming organisations to try to resolve this or come to some recognition that the cost of bovine TB to the sector is out of control.

In trying to get this under control, we have introduced a vaccination programme for badgers in recent years that has not worked. Rates of bovine TB have risen in the sector throughout Ireland. At this moment, there are outbreaks in most counties. As I have said before, we are not only blaming the badgers because deer can also carry the disease. We have introduced a programme that has not worked.

I hope that, after tomorrow, we can go back to what has worked in the past. At present, we are asking farmers to put cattle in twice yearly for testing. This is a huge burden when animals have to be transported large distances, put in sheds, tested on Tuesday, the results read on Friday and then let back out to grass during the summer time and the winter time. The cost of this in terms of labour is a massive burden on farmers. I hope the summit meeting tomorrow will realise this. Tomorrow, we hope that answers will be provided for farmers.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I congratulate the Defence Forces on the wonderful event at Arbour Hill. As always, it turned out excellently, with great guards of honour and indeed the Cathaoirleach did pretty well himself reading the prayer.

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

Thank you, Senator.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There has been a lot of talk about the purchase of primary radar for the Defence Forces. As a result of the shambolic SAR contract that has been awarded to Bristow Ireland, which came to this country without the resources to take on the contract, the company has now poached four of the air traffic controllers from Baldonnel. We are going to find ourselves with a brand new Government jet that will not be able to fly out of Baldonnel because we will not have air traffic controllers.It will probably be in Ireland West Airport Knock, Shannon Airport or somewhere like that. It certainly will not be in Baldonnel. The availability of the Air Corps to provide flights out of Baldonnel on a 24-7, 365-days-a-year basis is about to be totally and utterly undermined.

In 2021, the Secretary General of the Department of Defence identified a crisis in respect of air traffic controllers. All that was required to keep them was the retention allowance that is paid to pilots. Those responsible have been sitting on the matter since 2021. Nothing has been done. Now, four air traffic controllers have walked out and gone to work for the Bristow Group. Not only that, the Civil Aviation Authority has advertised for further air traffic controllers. Air traffic controllers are in huge demand all over the world. Our Air Corps is going to finish up with three C295 fixed-wing aircraft and a number of PC-9s, PC-12s and helicopters sitting out in Baldonnel unable to take off because we will not have air traffic controllers. This is an outrage, particularly as the problem was identified as far back as 2021 by the Secretary General of the Department. Who has been holding this up? We need a debate on the matter.

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I stand in support of the camogie players in the skort debacle. As a former camogie player at local level, it was often pointed out to me that my heart and lack of fear of the hurley made up for my lack of talent. That is a matter for another day. Skorts are very uncomfortable and restrictive. In this day and age, it is fair gall to tell girls what to wear. Even in primary and secondary girls schools, students have the choice to wear skirts or pants, and rightly so. It is so old-fashioned to try and tell any girl what to wear. I hope that the Camogie Association brings its vote forward. In fairness, it is listening in that it has offered to bring the vote that was not due until 2027 forward to 2026. However, that is still a long time away. We should be encouraging girls who do not feel comfortable. Many girls give up sports because they do not feel comfortable. Everything should be done to give them a choice. I am behind them all the way, especially the Cork players who have decided to wear shorts this coming weekend. I hope they will be allowed to do so.

Maria McCormack (Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am wearing a pair of shorts, not as a fashion statement but in solidarity with the camogie players of Ireland who are simply asking for a choice. I acknowledge the Laois camogie players who are in the Chamber. During their match with Kilkenny on Monday, they took a stand by wearing shorts in protest of the outdated skort rule, just like the Dublin and Kilkenny players the day before, who were told to leave the pitch unless they changed. This is not a new issue. Players first challenged the skort rule in 1959. Some 65 years later, the majority are saying the same thing: skorts are uncomfortable and players want the option to wear shorts, like I have here today. The authorities at Wimbledon made the change, so did beach volleyball and gymnastics. It is time camogie followed suit. One player put it to me like this, when she stated, "We are not asking for much. We are not asking for special treatment. We are just asking for a choice to be treated like equals." Why are we ignoring what the players want? If we truly want to grow camogie, keep young girls in sport and help them feel respected and empowered, we need to listen to them. One in five girls drops out of sport by the age of 14. Are we surprised? I welcome the decision from the Dublin Camogie County Board to the effect that referees will not penalise clubs if players choose to wear skorts or shorts during inter-county games. I call on the Camogie Association to look at the rule now, rather than in 2026. Some 83% of camogie players are not happy wearing skorts. What is happening is not fair. Let us skort this out.

Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I raise an issue that has been the subject of discussion in the Lower House, namely the Grace report. Two days have been afforded in the Lower House to discuss that report. It falls upon us in the Seanad to also discuss the Grace report and the wider context of safeguarding for our vulnerable adults. We owe it to those who have no voice. We owe it to Grace to recognise that a 2,000-page document was produced that found for nothing. We are not judges in this room, but we should have the opportunity to discuss it from all quarters so the voices of those who cannot speak are actually heard.

The Grace report, which was 2,000 pages, took a long, limited time. Its last chapter, which took three years to produce, was supposed to be on the care piece. The care piece did not produce what it was supposed to. It is upon us to make time to discuss it again. It is precious time that needs to be allotted to allow us to discuss our most vulnerable. As I said, in the context of safeguarding, we do not have to mention the name or the report, but a conversation about safeguarding needs to happen.

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

I bring to the attention of the House alarming news regarding the national car test, which was recently shared by a source within the motor industry. In 2021, the then Minister of State, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, and the RSA facilitated Applus+, the private company operating the NCT, in hiring Filipino staff at NCT centres. This was done by lowering the educational requirement from QQI level 6 to level 5 and increasing the number of work permits for non-EEA citizens. The number of Filipino staff has reportedly risen from 44 in 2023 to more than 150. Management has been described as flying regularly to Manila to recruit batches of eight to ten staff. What is fully and truly concerning is the alleged disregard for safety standards. According to the source. Applus+ allows Filipino staff to drive test vehicles in public, illegally, on learner permits without qualified drivers present. In one case, a staffer reportedly failed the driving test numerous times. Some reportedly had no licence in their first months of work. Some drove unaccompanied on learner permits and, even after passing their test, do not display N-plates.

The company has been described as operating on a wing and a prayer. Several Filipino testers have allegedly been involved in accidents. This puts Irish customers at serious risk. The extent of this problem is now so great there is no guarantee that an NCT customer will have a fully licensed driver driving their vehicle, which will leave the customer liable to fines and legal action if anything goes wrong. It is outrageous that a Spanish company on a Government contract is permitted to flout safety rules that Irish citizens are held strictly to, lowering standards and outsourcing jobs across the globe, while more than 100,000 young people leave for Australia. All this appears to be done in pursuit of maximising profits.

I call on the Minister for Transport to appear before this Chamber to account for these revelations.

Linda Nelson Murray (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Today's Central Bank report shows that motor insurance premiums increased by 9% in the first half of last year. In fact, since 2022, premiums have risen by approximately €70. That is without the recommendation from the Judicial Council to increase awards by 17%. I will explain to those who might not understand what this is. In Ireland, we have a set of personal injury guidelines that we implemented three and a half years ago. The reason we did this is we were an outlier compared with other countries: our awards were 50% to 100% higher. This meant that insurance companies paid out more and people were more likely to claim for small injuries. We then implemented guidelines that reduced these awards. Think how hard it is to get young people insured and to get insured after a claim. These suggested increases by the Judicial Council cannot be allowed to happen.

I urge all my fellow Senators to convey to the Minister for Justice that we do not want to see the cost of insurance rising. We do not want to see insurance for our cars, business and football clubs rise. I absolutely guarantee that if we allow the personal injury guidelines to go up, that is exactly what will happen. Right now, businesses are faced with a myriad of increased costs. We simply cannot add more fuel to the fire by doing something that will drive premiums up. As it stands, there are still so many groups and businesses that still cannot either get insurance or get insurance at a fair price.I have first-hand experience of the stress of trying to source insurance. I nearly lost my business and 11 employees nearly lost their jobs all because of this. Over recent years, we have witnessed an excellent programme of insurance reform delivered by the previous Government. Before we can even reap the great results of this, we are already planning to raise the level of injury awards. I am calling for the Minister to pause or stop the increase, allow this to be discussed with the Oireachtas committees, to speak to the policyholders and to listen to the Alliance for Insurance Reform. Do not let your local running club, local camogie club, local café, local crèche, local play centre and local festivals suffer because of this.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I acknowledge and welcome the Laois camogie players today from Camross, O'Moore's and The Harps clubs. It is great to see young people and young athletes being interested, engaged and concerned about what is effectively an equality issue. The issue at the weekend has highlighted the demand for women to wear skorts playing elite sports. As a father of two daughters who play and love camogie with Ballinteer St. John's, it is positive to see female athletes engaging in what is an equality issue. This is about equality and choice. Camogie players must have both, just like the male players. When I watched the Dublin versus Kilkenny match at the weekend and saw the older male referee sending 40 young female elite athletes back to the dressing room to change into skorts, I found it unsettling and unfair. The symbolism of it was unsettling. This must change. As the players here behind me said, when there is a need for change, men’s football is changing. For example, they are changing two-pointers. There are a range of measures being made in men's football to keep up with the changes needed. Why can camogie not change? I spoke to one of the camogie players involved in the Dublin and Kilkenny match and she said that when they got back to the dressing rooms on Saturday to change into the skorts, the atmosphere was eerie and demoralising. That is just not what sport should be about. This has gone way beyond the Camogie Association. It is not going to go away. It is now an equality issue and there needs to be change by the Camogie Association. I suggest that, if there is not change by the Camogie Association, the Government needs to review the funding for camogie and the Camogie Association.

Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I acknowledge a man from Ballintober in County Roscommon. I extend my sincere congratulations to Dr. John Bosco Conama, who was elected to the fellowship of Trinity College Dublin last week. John is a professor in the Centre for Deaf Studies, Trinity College Dublin. His commitment to deaf equality and advocacy issues, alongside his commitment to academia, lecturing, publishing and research is outstanding. He is at the highest levels, not only on national, but on international levels. He is currently the director for the Centre for Deaf Studies, vice chair of the Irish Deaf Society, co-chair of the group implementing the Irish Sign Language Act and chair of the Irish Sign Language recognition campaign, to mention but a few of his achievements.

The fellowship recognises a lifetime of advocacy, scholarship and leadership but also of continued contribution to the life of the college and broader society. Dr. John Bosco Conama is the first deaf person and sign language user to be awarded this honour in Ireland. This is an incredible recognition of someone's lifetime commitment. I congratulate him, his partner, Audrey, their extended families, friends, colleagues and the wider deaf community. I hope his achievements can be seen as an example to all, but especially to the deaf community, that there is a place in academia for them and there are no limits to what they can achieve. Congratulations, Dr. Conama.

Pauline Tully (Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Many of our young people, who are skilled and highly qualified, are leaving our shores to work abroad. For those who do wish to return, we should make the transition back into society as easy as possible. I know a couple who spent two years in Australia, have returned home and are trying to switch their Australian driving licence back to an Irish driving licence.They have been told this will take three to five months. In the meantime, they cannot get insurance and cannot drive. Living in rural Ireland, they therefore cannot work because, unfortunately, very little public transport is available. When they transferred their Irish licences to Australian ones, it was almost instantaneous. The woman told me hers took ten days because something had to be checked on it, but for most cases it was straightforward and done practically there and then. Anyone would wait a week or two, but three to five months is not fair.

I have written to the NDLS but I ask the Leader to raise this issue with the Minister for Transport as well to see if something can be done. Is it a resourcing issue? We have many people returning to our country. They have to transfer their licences. It should be done in a matter of days or, at the most, weeks.

Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I want to raise an issue that is happening under our noses. There are many cogs in the machine that make the Houses of the Oireachtas run smoothly and, unfortunately, some of the people who play a key role in here are being treated incredibly unfairly. Cleaners, sound technicians and broadcasting staff are privately contracted, which means that when the Seanad and the Dáil are not sitting, these individuals have no work and are not paid. Committee technicians have been left unpaid since 8 November, the date the general election was called.

Our broadcasting staff are crucial for the very fabric of democracy. In fact, the ability to have the proceedings here broadcast means that every single person across the country can access the discussions, debates and legislating that happens in Leinster House. The broadcasting staff are hired by a private contractor that receives €7.5 million over a period of five years to roster staff. All the cameras and other equipment belong to the Oireachtas. Not only are people being subjected to unfair work conditions, but it is costing the Oireachtas, and therefore the taxpayer, more money to employ these workers through a private contract than it would to employ them directly. It is very frustrating to see that the Oireachtas has money to waste on bike sheds, security huts and touchscreen landlines while the people working here are left to scrape by on low-hour contracts. Many people in these positions have to work additional jobs or claim unemployment benefits just to get by. We have a duty of care to ensure that all workers are treated fairly. There is no point in our standing up and delivering grand speeches on the importance of workers' rights when there are people working hard only a few rooms over trying to get by on €12,000 per year. Will the Government reform this system and employ them publicly?

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is about nine years since we presented in this House the Human Dignity Award to Gina Herrity, an heroic woman who has been working in Our Little Brothers and Sisters orphanage in Haiti since 1993. She has suffered violence in that chaotic country. She wrote to me last week and what she had to say was terrifying. She is asking people to give attention to what is happening in Haiti. She talks about gangs destroying the country section by section, raping, plundering and murdering in horrific fashion, with thousands and thousands being pushed out of their homes. Even her mountain area, Kenscoff, about 10 km from Port-au-Prince, is, she says, surrounded by gangs. The orphanage's employees live in fear of their lives. She knows what is going on in the world with Trump, tariffs, Ukraine, Gaza and all the terrible things but she says somebody needs to talk about Haiti. She says how, over the border in the Dominican Republic, immigration agents are beating the hell out of Haitians before sending them back. They drag them out of hospitals and deport them. They bulldoze their little houses. She mentions how in recent days hundreds of people jumped into a flooded river to try to escape gangs in the centre of Haiti. She says she could write forever but she is begging us to pay attention to this.

I ask for the Minister to come in and for us to have a debate about this matter. Haiti is a country that is descending into chaos, with about 1 million people made homeless as a result of the gang violence, the killings, the sexual violence and so on. Some 5,600 people were killed last year. That is heading for an increase this year, with more than 1,600 already killed between January and March. Gangs control 85% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and now they are moving out to previously peaceful areas like Kenscoff, where Gina and the orphanage are. There was a report in recent days of two police and four civilians being killed. It is happening in all the different areas.What is needed is a greater multinational force. The Haitian police are being supported to a limited extent by a UN police mission led by the Kenyans. They have about 1,000 personnel, but 2,500 is what was envisaged. Is our country engaged or concerned by this? Can we play a part in trying to address this desperate situation? I would be grateful if we could have a debate on this sad and tragic country at the earliest opportunity.

Nessa Cosgrove (Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Last Friday I met with representatives from the Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon IFA. These farmers wanted to draw attention to a number of serious matters that are potentially impacting on their ability to continue farming. The most pressing issue of all, and the reason I need to raise this today, is that farmers are required to sign and submit their basic income support scheme payment forms by the 15 May in order to be entitled to receive their annual payments from the Department of agriculture. Part of this submission is a declaration that farmers are compliant with GAEC 2 practices on their farms. For those who do not know, GAEC stands for good agricultural and environmental condition and sets out minimum environmental standards that must be adhered to on the farm. There are nine GAEC standards in total and GAEC 2 relates the protection of peatlands and wetlands. In a nutshell GAEC 2 will mean that restrictions will apply to land that is deemed to have peaty or mineral soils. Grasslands can be reseeded only once every four years and ploughing of grasslands to a depth greater than 30 cm is prohibited. GAEC 2 also tightens up the prohibition of digging new drains without planning permission on peat-rich soils.

This all very well but farmers are struggling with two basic issues. First is the definition of what constitutes peaty or mineral soils. I understand from the Irish Farmers' Journal, which published a story on the same day I met the farmers just last Friday, that a comprehensible definition of what peaty soil is is becoming clearer. The second issue relates to what parts of their land are classed as being peaty or carbon rich. The Irish Farmers' Journal on 2 May advised that the Department is in the process of writing to farmers subject to the standard. This is in the process but farmers are required to have their basic income support for sustainability, BISS, form submitted by 15 May and today is Wednesday, 7 May. Of course we have all enjoyed a bank holiday, which farmers do not get. The Department, however, is still in the process. If farmers find themselves in the process when the deadline expires, will they get paid? Of course they will not. How can farmers declare themselves compliant with the standard if they do not know which part of their farms the standard applies to? It does not make sense. It is nonsensical. I ask that the Department and the Minister would halt the implementation of GAEC 2 for one more year just to allow the Department to have all its information up to date and to avoid another shambles like ACRES, which I will not get into now.

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

I thank all Senators for their contributions here today. Senator O'Loughlin and Senator Nelson Murray raised the issue of insurance. I know certainly that Senator Nelson Murray has been a strong advocate for insurance reform, the limiting of unjust claims and, as result, trying to keep insurance costs low for businesses. I will ask the Minister to come in to the House to have a debate on this very important issue.

Senator Boyle again raised the issue of the National Ambulance Service and gave the testimony regarding the poor unfortunate individual from Kilcar for whom it was three hours and 40 minutes after an accident before they reached the hospital. That cannot be accepted. I will ask the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, to come to the House for a debate. I am aware the Senator will be appointed to the health committee and I am sure this issue will be raised by him at that committee during the course of its term.

Senator Boyhan raised the issue of the local government and democracy task force and the issue of the Housing Commission report. The Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, is due in the House on 27 May, as I understand. He was due in earlier but was called away to an EU Council meeting. The Senator will have an opportunity to raise issues regarding local government and democracy at that juncture. With regard to the Housing Commission report, we had the Minister, Deputy Browne, in the House recently, but I will see if he can come in again as soon as possible regarding the Housing Commission report.

Senator Conor Murphy raised the issue of voting rights and the presidential election and asked to speak to the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste. The Taoiseach has been invited to attend the House, it is hoped before the summer recess, subject to getting a date. Certainly the Senator will have an opportunity to raise that with him. This will be an issue that will also be raised at the committee on foreign affairs. The Senator is right to say there is no commitment in the programme for Government to any more referendums in the lifetime of this Government. Senator Noonan talked about water quality, redesign of ACRES, and flexibility for farmers. He also talked about the WaterMARKE programme led by Professor Cathal O’Donoghue from Teagasc. He raised some important issues regarding water quality. As the Senator knows, there was a Cabinet subcommittee on water quality the aim of which is to press for the nitrates derogation to continue. It has very important work to do. The Tánaiste is chairing that subcommittee. We will see what comes out of it. I will ask for a debate on that matter at the earliest opportunity.

Senator Ruane raised section 7A of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act and a review regarding the buying and selling of sex. I will ask the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, to come to the House to debate that matter.

Senator Curley referred to HHC, which is a synthetic vape drug that can be legally bought and advertised. The Senator raised concerns regarding seriously psychotic episodes resulting from taking this drug. He asked for a debate on the matter, for HHC's addition to the list of controlled substances and for the HSE to advise on this. As I understand it, this drug made its way into Europe in 2022 and, perhaps, to these shores somewhat later. I will ask for a debate on the matter. If the Senator wishes to table a Commencement matter, he might get a faster response. I am not sure if the Senator will be on the health committee. If not, he could talk to his colleagues to see whether this could be progressed through the health committee as well. It is an important issue and I will raise it up the line.

Senator Brady talked about the cost of TB to farming. The number of reactors has increased, doubling, I think, from 20,000 to 40,000, and there is a grave concern that it will increase further. The Minister is very conscious of this issue. We need to ensure that the review of the TB testing regime looks not only at the cost relating to the disease but also at its impact on livelihoods and animal welfare. I will raise that with the Minister as soon as possible.

Senator Craughwell commended all involved in the event at Arbour Hill, and I agree with him on that.

The Senator also referred to the issue of the search and rescue contract, which he has raised on numerous occasions. He was a member of the defence committee in the previous Oireachtas and I understand he would like to be a member the next iteration. I am sure he would like to raise the matter at that juncture.

The Senator also referred military radar. I understand procurement of military radar is likely to begin this year. I will raise the issue with the Minister, to come in and talk about the search and rescue issues.

Senators Margaret Murphy O’Mahony, McCormack and Andrews raised the issue - I will not say debacle, but perhaps that is what is - of skirts versus skorts, and players wishing to be able to wear what they want, including shorts. It is, as I understand, an issue for the Camogie Association. I hope that, as has been suggested, it can bring forward its review or recommendation on this. I am great believer in player power. I am sure that if the players join and become united on this matter, they can effect change. I will raise this with the Minister for sport.

Senator Rabbitte raised the Grace report. I and my office have made contact with the Minister, Deputy Foley, and her Department to arrange to have statements on the Grace report, which is a very large document. I understand there have been complaints about its formatting and readability. There is no doubting the seriousness of the issues at stake and the competence of the commission of inquiry. The matter deserves a debate in this House. I will request that again.

Senator Keogan raised concerns regarding the NCT. If she wishes to table a Commencement matter, she may get a faster response. However, I will raise the matter with the Minister for Transport.

Senator Scahill congratulated Dr. John Bosco Conama, and I join with her in doing so. The latter has a strong pedigree and is a strong advocate for and has made a great contribution to the deaf community. I wish Dr. Conama well.

Senator Tully spoke about recognition of driving licences between Ireland and Australia. Again, perhaps a Commencement matter might elicit a faster response – or not. This could be raised with the transport committee, but I will raise it with the Minister in any event. What has been suggested makes common sense. As I understand from my time in Australia, they drive on the same side of the road as we do here, so I imagine it should not be a big issue.

Senator O’Reilly raised concerns regarding the treatment, pay and conditions of cleaners and broadcasting staff who work in the Houses. This is a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. I am not sure if her party has a member on the commission, but there are Senators from the across this House across a number of groups who will be members of it.I recommend that the Senator write directly to the Cathaoirleach, who will be a member of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, to bring this matter forward for debate.

Senator Mullen raised harrowing testimony from Haiti. I will certainly request for the Minister to come to the House. Unfortunately, it is a part of the world that does not get a lot of attention unless there is an earthquake, a tsunami or something like that. The testimony the Senator read out from Ms Herrity is certainly harrowing, however, and I will raise this matter with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Senator Cosgrove raised concerns from the IFA in Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon regarding BISS, GAEC 2 and peat and mineral soils. I met with representatives of the IFA on a few occasions. I know they also met with the Minister, Deputy Heydon. I certainly put questions to him when he was in the House. He would be of the view that there is no impact on farmers and that, in the main, they will be able to continue what they are doing. Obviously, it is important the BISS forms be submitted on time, regardless of anything else, to ensure there are no penalties.

Clearly, concerns have been expressed. The Minister assured us, though, and is on record in this House as saying there will be no major impact on farmers. I know there is an issue concerning peat and mineral soils. If one parcel contains above 50% peat soil, then the full parcel is regarded as being peat soil. I have asked if the parcels can be split to ensure it is possible to have separate ones for peat soils and mineral soils. As I understand it, the maps and explanatory letters are to be sent out soon. Regardless of that, I urge all farmers to ensure the BISS forms are submitted before the deadline of 15 May. The Senator and the IFA and the INHFA suggested an extension be allowed. Unfortunately, however, there was a threat of penalties. There was a delay for several years and, as I understand it, this undertaking had to be put in place by 1 January. The Minister was under pressure in January to sign us up to ensure we avoided the penalties. It is something that has been brought to my attention, however, and I will engage further with the Minister on the issue.

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

The guests of Deputy James Geoghegan and the guests of Minister of State, Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, are most welcome to the House. I hope they enjoy their day.