Seanad debates

Wednesday, 14 May 2025

2:00 am

Photo of Fiona O'LoughlinFiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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I extend my welcome to the Chair of the Good Friday Agreement committee, Deputy Devlin, and his interns. I also welcome the students and teachers from Rush National School, whom I met coming into the Chamber.

I indicate my intention to move a motion to have a minute's silence on the death of former Minister Paddy O'Toole at the end of the Order of Business.

The Order of Business is No. 1, statements marking National Biodiversity Week, to be taken at 1.30 p.m. and to conclude at 3.30 p.m. if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes each, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes each, time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; and No. 2, Private Members' business, Public Health (Restriction on Sale of Stimulant Drinks to Children) Bill 2025 - Second Stage, to be taken at 3.30 p.m., with the time allocated to the debate not to exceed two hours.

Photo of Mary FitzpatrickMary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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The first issue I raise on behalf of the Fianna Fail group is the ongoing genocide and starvation in Gaza. Since 2 March, no humanitarian aid has been delivered to Gaza, with a global hunger monitor warning that more than half a million people, which is a quarter of the population, are facing starvation. RTÉ News is reporting that the United Nations aid chief, Mr. Tom Fletcher, has very strongly criticised the Israeli-initiated and US-backed humanitarian aid distribution plan for Gaza. Mr. Fletcher described the plan as a "fig leaf for further violence and displacement" of Palestinians in the war-torn territory. He called it a "cynical sideshow" and a "deliberate distraction". He said those words in an address to the UN Security Council. We are all concerned by and occupied with our helplessness in the face of this starvation and genocide and the human tragedy taking place. This House must call again today for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and unrestricted access for humanitarian aid. Anything less than that is inhumane. The Fianna Fáil group reiterates that call.

The National College of Ireland, located in the Dublin docklands in my constituency, is an incredible centre of excellence in education. Everybody associates the college with third level education but its early learning initiative is incredibly special. I give a huge shout-out today to the home visitors from that early learning initiative, particularly those who visit the north inner city. They go out to support very young people, including infants - our youngest citizens - and their parents. They support them in social ways, medical ways and with a whole holistic approach to their wellness and well-being. They do so to increase their capacity and confidence and ensure they succeed in those early days, weeks, months and years.Being a parent is probably the most challenging job any human being can undertake. The home visitors are there with new parents and new babies in those early days, weeks and months. They give them support in a way that is accessible to them, is meaningful to them and adds real value. I want to give a huge shoutout to the home visitors in the north inner city. As I am speaking here today, they are probably visiting parents and their children in their homes.

I return to the subject of our post offices. We all know that there are over 960 post offices in Ireland. They provide not just a postal service but huge social value as well. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Peter Burke, to come to the House and have a debate on the future of the post offices. Our own colleague, Councillor Tom O'Callaghan, is a postmaster. Postmasters throughout the country have done enormous work campaigning to save our post offices. The House should support them and we should have a debate on the future of the post office network.

Photo of Mark DalyMark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Before I call the next speaker, I welcome Senator Cathal Byrne from County Wexford and his uncle James, aunt Jackie, Sarah Egan and cousins Mary and John Byrne. I am sure this is payback for canvassing. I thank them for coming to Seanad Éireann. Maybe it is credit in the bank for canvassing into the future. They are most welcome. They can rest assured that Cathal makes a great contribution to Seanad Éireann. I thank them for being here.

Manus Boyle (Fine Gael)
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I express my sincerest condolences to the families of the two young boys who drowned in Buncrana over the weekend. It was yet another tragedy in Donegal. I send my heartfelt apologies to the families.

I stand here again to speak, like a broken record, about the National Ambulance Service. On Saturday, I got a phone call from a mother in Portnoo, Ardara. On Wednesday evening, her son took sick with a spiking temperature. He started convulsions and had rapid breathing. This scared the life out of the family. They rang the ambulance at 9.30 p.m. It was 11 p.m. before the ambulance got there. This little boy has profound disabilities and has a liver disease. He is very well cared for by his mother and father. The paramedics were fantastic with him. When they arrived, they engaged with him and got him to Letterkenny University Hospital. The mother queried what if this happens again. It took an hour and a half. I do not want to feel like a broken record, but every day I come in here I have constituents coming to me saying how bad the ambulance service is in Donegal. We all talk about the golden hour. The previous two times I stood in the House, I spoke about this matter. In one case, it took over an hour and a half. In this case, it was an hour and a half before the ambulance reached them. Everybody is busy but there has to be a profound review done for Donegal. We seem to be left on our own all of the time to get things done. I hope that with the help of the Leader, we will try to get something moving forward on it.

Photo of Tom ClonanTom Clonan (Independent)
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I echo the call by Senator Fitzpatrick for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. I am particularly concerned that in the past few days Netanyahu's Government has called for a major call-up and mobilisation of Israel Defense Forces reservists. We are on the precipice of another major expansion of Israel's military operation in Gaza. Before I speak about the situation, I want to be clear that I condemn Hamas absolutely for their war crimes, their actions on 7 October that were genocidal in nature and intent, their war crimes in holding hostages and the bodies of hostages prisoners against their will and their indiscriminative shelling and rocket fire into Israel and civilian targets. The situation in Gaza at the moment has reached a point of no return.A total of 70% of Gaza's territory is designated no-go areas or military zones. The population of 2.2 million is crammed into an area of less than 100 sq. km. That is, by definition, a Konzentrationslager, or a concentration camp. It is what Himmler described as the operational characteristics of a ghetto. A very good example is the ghetto in Warsaw, Warschauer, in which 500,000 Jews were concentrated into one area, surrounded and deprived of food and water. The people of Gaza have not had a delivery of water or food in ten weeks. They are literally being starved. One survivor of the Holocaust said:

Every day we had a little cup of water. We starved for half a year. There was no life. We were starving.

That is precisely what is happening to our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Gaza, of whom 55,000 have been butchered and slaughtered by the IDF in continued air strikes, which we are facilitating through the onward navigation of military aircraft through our airspace and through the payment by the taxpayer of the navigation fees for those aircraft. A total of 13,000 children have been killed while 20,000 women and girls have been murdered. Of the total killed in Gaza, for shame, 12,000 have been disabled men, women and children. It is the greatest mass disabling event in recent human history. We have an absolute moral imperative to call this out for what it is. It is ethnic cleansing writ large. We must act. Our actions must go beyond words. We must take action. I suggest we revisit the occupied territories Bill as a priority.

Photo of Mark DalyMark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome guests of Deputy Malcolm Byrne from Carnew National School to Seanad Éireann. Is that everybody dressed in blue? I welcome the boys and girls of Wexford. As is the tradition in Seanad Éireann, there is no homework for the rest of the week. Thank you for coming to visit. As well as getting an education, you get off homework.

Joanne Collins (Sinn Fein)
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I want to raise the issue of the sheer lack of home help supports, which, I am sure, is the case throughout the State, but I am going to concentrate on County Limerick. A case that stood out to me among the many I come across involves a family living in County Limerick. The father, who was once a fiercely independent man, is now living with advanced dementia. He needs 24-hour care. For mobility reasons, he needs two people just to move around his house. His elderly wife, who is a healthcare assistant, and their grown-up son, are doing everything they can to keep him at home. Currently he is in St Camillus' Hospital for a week or two of respite. Their question is: what happens when he comes home? Who is going to be there to help? They are being offered an hour and a half of home help, once a day, from Monday to Friday. They spend the other 22 and a half hours themselves looking after their husband and father. The lack of support they are receiving from home help is what they worry so much about. Like many families across County Limerick, they feel isolated. They are being encouraged to keep their loved ones at home but are being given no real support to do so. They are told that the HSE promotes home care but the reality is cruel. There is a gap in the policy and practice. In that gap falls the carers who are exhausted, isolated and unheard.

I have another case just down the road from me. The elderly mother of a good friend of mine, who was an active woman, fell, broke her hip and had to go to hospital. She went in for respite after, to ensure she was ready to go home. She now is ready but she has only been offered one half hour slot a day. They are actually calling it a pulse check because by the time the home carer gets there, a half hour later they are gone again. They are not able to actually do anything. He has to leave his elderly mother in the nursing home, even though she could go home, but she does not have enough care at home because he is working and cannot give up his job to sit at home. I would love the Minister for Health to come in and have a discussion on the lack of home care, the barriers and why the HSE cannot seem to employ enough home helps. Is it the section 39 issue? What is the actual issue around this?

Photo of Tom ClonanTom Clonan (Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Photo of Malcolm NoonanMalcolm Noonan (Green Party)
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I reiterate the call I made yesterday regarding the occupied territories Bill. Every nation and state must play a part. My party leader confirmed at the weekend there is no impediment to the existing Bill and it needs to be brought forward as a matter of urgency. We need to put every pressure on the Israeli Government over the atrocities it is carrying out in Gaza.

This morning, I wish to raise a pretty damning Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, report on septic tank inspections across the country. First, there is an inconsistency of application, and of inspection and enforcement regimes where, of the very small number of septic tanks - 1,390 - inspected, 56% of them failed. The implications of that are immense for human health because people are drinking water from sunken wells, and also for the receiving environment and vulnerable water bodies across the country. We really need to get to grips with this once and for all. It needs to happen at Government level and at local authority level. There needs to be consistency of application in the inspection regime.

I call on the Government to give consideration to free well water testing for all rural households, which is another important issue. A lot of families do not know what is coming out of their taps. They do not know what issues are there and there is E. coli contamination. We are facing a real public health risk here. The report is pretty damning and there has been little or no progress since the inspection regime started in 2013.

Where are we going with this, unless we have consistency of application with all local authorities? Some 95% of those tests took place in four counties - Mayo, Limerick, Kerry and Wexford. There is a problem here and it needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. The free well water testing would give householders either the confidence or the information they need to address the issues. Grants are available in the priority areas for action, which are the high status objective catchments. The national inspection plan needs to be ramped up and the Government and particularly the Minister for local government, needs to take in the local authorities and ensure the inspection regime is brought up to a standard where we know where the problem is and we can start to fix it. It is a huge risk to public health and to the aquatic environment.

Photo of Mark DalyMark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Before I call Senator Duffy, I welcome his intern and guest in the Gallery, James Cafferkey from St. Muredach's College in County Mayo. We are delighted to have him here and I hope the Senator does not work him too hard.

Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)
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I join in the Cathaoirleach's welcome to James Cafferkey. He is a TUI student in St. Muredach's College and has been a great help to me. Yesterday evening, James attended a launch of the new strategy for the No Name Clubs, which is a youth organisation aimed at youth empowerment across Ireland. It has launched its new strategy that runs until 2029 and it has a great focus on working on building on the work of the No Name Clubs, to improve it, to empower young people and to improve the connectivity and inclusion of young people so they have things to do in their towns and villages. Something I would like to work with the No Name Clubs, James and young people on is to make sure that in areas where there is no availability of No Name Clubs that we work to support those neighbourhoods and communities to have the clubs and activities for young people.

I also highlight the issue of human trafficking. A conference was hosted in Ballina by the Ballina and Castlebar Soroptimist clubs. The conference was introduced by the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Calleary, and titled Hidden in Plain Sight. Speakers included representatives from An Garda Síochána and also Ruhama, a charity that does incredible work in this space. The conference aimed to raise awareness.I raise awareness of the work and the plight of those affected by human trafficking, who were promised a better life in European countries. When they arrive, they have their independence, mobile phones and connections with the outside work taken from them. They are told they are in debt. It causes immense suffering and pain for people who were promised a better life and are being taken advantage of. I compliment that conference. It spotlights and highlights a very important topic, which I would like further discussion on in the near future.

Photo of Victor BoyhanVictor Boyhan (Independent)
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I wish to highlight a report by Bord Bia, entitled Export Performance and Prospects 2024-2025. I am sure everyone here knows of the amazing work that Bord Bia does. This report is quite interesting because it highlights there is €17 billion of business exports. It is an amazing success story and organisation that is highly focused on food and horticultural production. There are challenges around alcohol that is exported. There will be serious challenges relating to potential tariffs if they are not sorted out. This is an amazing organisation that is the engine in marketing and innovation for agriculture, horticulture, food production and beverages, which is another important facet of its work. Senators will be aware that it will be showcasing its organisation at its now infamous Bloom festival, which is in the next few weeks. It is being well promoted. I hope as many people as possible can go. The leaders of the main political parties go every year, spend the day there and bring teams with them.

That is important in highlighting this unique enterprise that is Ireland. We have the green island of Ireland. We are an island. I refer to the challenges, excitement and possibilities of an all-Ireland approach in terms of what the Taoiseach talks about and the shared island initiative. We can collaborate more across the island of Ireland. Let us forget about the political issues. The potential for the natural resources, production and enterprise of this sector is enormous. I call for a debate on it. It is important we have a debate on this field. The Minister of State, Deputy Noel Grealish, is responsible for this area. We should invite him because we need to see the plans but also prepare for the challenges and seek diversification. I do not know whether anyone heard “Morning Ireland” on RTÉ Radio reporting on the challenges around diversification to Asia and the Arab states in terms of our food markets. We need new markets and to put in place policies that will support them.

Photo of Maria ByrneMaria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I wish to raise the issue of BusConnects. Limerick is due to launch its BusConnects network shortly. There is an industrial estate in Annacotty, Limerick, where more than 2,000 people work. Lacking foresight, Bus Éireann will not run a bus out to the Annacotty Business Park. I have spoken to businesses there and have met them. Some of them even ask people when they apply for a job whether they have a car or a mode of transport of getting there because it is quite a distance - more than 2.5 km - from the next bus stop to the business park. Unfortunately, they have had people take up jobs who then fall by the wayside because in the winter time, they do not make it to work on time. I have written to them myself. I would like the support of the Leader’s office in highlighting the fact that it is short-sighted of BusConnects not to connect the Annacotty Business Park to the rest of Limerick.

Linda Nelson Murray (Fine Gael)
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The Department of Finance is inviting people to submit their views on the development of a new action plan for insurance reform. In case people do not know, this is very important. This consultation aims to give and gathers feedback from stakeholders to shape the next phase of insurance reform.The Action Plan for Insurance Reform 2020 delivered good progress in stabilising the insurance market, improving competition and addressing key regulatory issues. However, many issues remain. We see it every day when young people try to get car insurance, and when older people, businesses and festivals seek insurance. The Government is committed to further reforms that will ensure fairer pricing, enhance competition and provide a more sustainable insurance market for consumers, businesses and insurers alike. We will not get to do all that unless people submit what it is they want. I have spoken in the House about the importance of insurance reform and that the programme for Government keeps on track, ensuring insurance can be secured by businesses, community groups, sports clubs, cafés, restaurants, festivals and even thatched houses, which were mentioned here a few weeks ago by a Senator colleague.

Over the past few years we have witnessed an excellent programme of insurance reform. If we want to see this continue, I urge people to submit their feedback and outline what they would like to see happen because the closing date is next Monday.

Photo of Gerard CraughwellGerard Craughwell (Independent)
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I wish to raise the case of Ryan Cornelius who has been in prison in Dubai for 17 years. He first went to prison when his youngest child was six years old and that child is now 23 years. Last Friday, I met his wife and relations. Initially, Ryan was sentenced to ten years in jail, but as he reached the end of that sentence, another set of trumped up charges were made and he was sentenced to another 20 years. The man is 71 years of age and has not seen his youngest child since that child was six. I will forward Ryan's details to Members of the House and I ask that we ask the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to intervene. I understand that Ryan is a British citizen but his wife is Irish. Irish people go to Dubai on holidays all the time. It is simply not good enough that a person can be arbitrarily locked up and forgotten about for 17 years.

My second point, which will be of interest to the Deputy Leader, is that I understand the Air Corps is expected to move CASA aircraft to Shannon because we cannot guarantee 24-hour flights out of Baldonnel anymore. Baldonnel closed at 8 o'clock last night. I understand that the Garda helicopter is likely to be moved to Weston in the next few days because, again, we cannot guarantee air traffic control. Will the Deputy Leader join me, as she has an interest in the defence area, in my request for the Minister for Defence to come to the House to talk about how we will resolve the issue of losing highly specialised people in the Defence Forces, Air Corps, Naval Service and Army. We have to revisit the salary structures and the way in which we compensate those with specialisms so as to retain them. I am happy to engage one to one with the Deputy Leader in order that we can put together something for the Minister. I would appreciate her assistance with that.

Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)
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Following on from a Commencement matter my colleague, Senator Boyle, had this morning on school safety measures, I noted the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin, said in her response that there are currently no plans to reopen the safe routes to school scheme for new applicants. She also referred to the active travel measures that could be utilised by schools for safety measures. The safe routes to school scheme was designed specifically for those measures. The scheme opened and less than 25% of eligible applicants applied, but it closed while schools were still dealing with Covid-19 during a lockdown. I have heard people numerous times in the House over the past couple of weeks calling for safety measures at schools. I call for a debate with the Minister for Transport to discuss the safe routes to school scheme, getting it reopened and included in the next programme, and having something to put forward to the transport committee.

Photo of Mark DalyMark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome more guests of Deputy Grace Boland. I welcome the pupils from Rush national school in County Dublin. It would be remiss of me not to give them a night off from homework, because otherwise there would be a small bit of problem. I also welcome Ellie Griffin from Trinity College Dublin, who is an intern of Senator Tom Clonan. She is most welcome here today.

Photo of Chris AndrewsChris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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Six years ago, there was an agreement for 900 social and affordable homes on the Irish Glass Bottle site. The agreement was put together between An Bord Pleanála, Dublin City Council, the Government, the then Minister for housing, Eoghan Murphy, and the housing action group in Ringsend. There was going to be 350 social houses and 550 affordable homes. That was the agreement the then Minister signed off on. Now it seems that is being reneged on because there will not be any affordable housing in the first phase of the scheme. That will make it much more difficult to ensure the remaining 550 homes are squeezed into the last phases.

Obviously, this is devastating for residents and it will make it harder to squeeze the affordable homes into the remaining development. I am concerned and I have a strong belief that there will be no social housing on this site because of the huge cost. When neighbouring sites are producing two bedroom apartments and looking for €1.1 million for them, it will be very difficult to ensure this social housing goes on that site. From a time when there were 900 homes promised, that is looking like it will all unravel and there may be a fraction of that on the Irish Glass Bottle site. Obviously, the residents in Pearse Street, Ringsend, Sandymount and Irishtown are devastated because they seem to have to continually pick up the tab for the Government's failure on housing. I ask that the Minister for housing come to the House and discuss that particular issue.

I extend my sympathies to An Garda Síochána on the loss of Garda Kevin Flatley. I understand he was a garda in Pearse Street, a station I know well, and I know gardaí have huge respect within the local community. I acknowledge the loss to his family and friends.

Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)
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I raise today the proposal being considered by the Minister for Justice to increase personal injury awards by almost 17%. We are in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. Inflation impacts families, businesses and communities across the country and now the Government thinks it is the right time to raise personal injury awards, a move that will inevitably lead to higher insurance premiums and, no doubt, higher claims. We already know from the Central Bank's own data that motor insurance premiums rose by 9% in the first half of 2024 alone, and that is before any changes to injury awards.

In regions like Cavan and Monaghan, we are already paying through the nose for insurance while driving on some of the worst roads in the country which are little more than a patchwork of potholes. A previous analysis found that payouts for personal injuries in Ireland are on average 4.4 times higher than in England. If you experience a minor ankle fracture in Ireland, you could expect to receive up to €54,000, while in England, the same injury warrants up to €14,000. The payout for personal injuries in this country is high enough without raising it further. The impact of higher awards will be felt most by ordinary motorists and small businesses. It will also directly impact community, voluntary and sporting groups, many of which are already struggling to keep the doors open. The Government cannot allow this to go ahead without full and considered debate. I ask the Minister for Justice to come to the House for a debate on the matter.

Photo of Fiona O'LoughlinFiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the fact there are half a million people facing starvation. There is no doubt we all feel devastated by what is going on since the horrific attacks on 7 October. Nothing can ever take away from how horrific those attacks were, but what has happened since has been completely disproportionate.The Senator is right in saying we need to recommit to calling for a ceasefire and, collectively, to recommit to looking for a two-state solution. I spoke recently about a decision at an Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting that I and Senator Duffy were at. A resolution was passed unanimously by 180 countries looking for a two-state solution, which is the longer term solution. What is happening now, however, is absolutely horrific in terms of both food and water not getting to the people living in Gaza and, of course, what Israel is planning to do in terms of upping its military game. Last week Ireland issued a joint statement expressing huge concern together with about six other countries.

As regards the occupied territories Bill, I agree we need to have a full debate in this House and ask where it is at. The Tánaiste met with Senator Black last week to discuss it. Apparently, it was quite a positive and constructive meeting and they will meet again soon. As we know, the Attorney General had been working on the Bill and looking at ways of ensuring that Bill, or a similar one with the same intention, would be legally robust and would stand up. That is what we need. Senators Clonan and Noonan spoke about the same issue. It is absolutely shocking. I will ask for a full debate with the Tánaiste purely on the issue of Gaza, giving us the up-to-date position, including where the occupied territories Bill is at. We need to know that and we need to know the nuances around it. I am totally happy to look for that this evening.

Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about the National College of Ireland's early learning initiative. It sounds fantastic. It sounds nearly like a cross between a home school liaison and what our public health nurses are doing. To see a third level and further level college doing that in the community within which it is situated is wonderful, and I have no doubt that will give huge value to the communities and to the generations coming through. We need to see more of that. That could possibly be rolled out in other areas as well, particularly in areas of deprivation.

Senator Fitzpatrick also spoke about post offices. Councillor Tom O'Callaghan came in and gave a briefing as to where the situation is at. All our communities and villages and towns that we all represent would be lost without the post office network. For many people, especially those who are older, their weekly visit to the post office might be their only social contact. We will look for a debate on the future of the network. To be fair, a lot has been put in place in terms of extra services that post offices can provide. When I went to buy a Leap card the other day, it was great to be able to go to the post office and do that. There are other services, but I have no doubt we all have ideas and suggestions we can bring forward to this, so I am happy to look for that debate also.

Senator Boyle spoke about the very sad situation of the two young men who were drowned in Donegal. We join the Senator in giving his very deepest sympathies to the families. Somebody I know has a connection with the families, with the boys, very fine young people and families left devastated in a community that has seen an awful lot of grief. We share the Senator's sympathies.

Senator Boyle also spoke about the National Ambulance Service and the need for the review. He spoke about a specific situation. It is shocking when we hear of any situation where people are left without a timely service. We can ask for that debate, certainly, but I think the Senator should also go further with that specific case as a particular situation. Senator Clonan spoke passionately, as he always does, about the situation in Gaza. When we think of 2025, the year that we are living in, and we look back at the time of the diary of Anne Frank, I remember as a young child reading that and wondering how it could happen, and all the adults in my life saying nobody in the world knew that was happening at the time. We all know about what is happening now. It adds to that sense of helplessness.

Senator Collins spoke about the lack of home help and two particular situations. I genuinely do not know if those two families have been given hours but cannot get the individuals, or whether they were just not given those hours. There are two sides to it. If they were not given the hours that they clearly need, that is a problem. Equally, maybe they have been given the hours but there is a problem trying to get people to work with them. Either way it is a problem. We have always prided ourselves on trying to ensure that people can live independently in their homes as long as they can. We must do more and more. There have been difficulties recruiting home help workers. I see that right across the country and indeed in my own constituency. We will certainly look for the Minister to come in because it is an important issue. We need to make sure that we have the correct policies in place. We will ask the Minister to come in for that.

Senator Noonan spoke about the damning report on septic tank inspections and the inconsistencies with the regime. We absolutely need consistency across the board, in terms of the inspections and the reports. The Senator raised the possibility of looking for free well water testing. That would play a positive role, I think. Obviously, there would be a cost to the State which would have to be queried. There are certainly public health risks in terms of problems and contamination of water. We will look for a debate on the whole area.

Senator Duffy spoke about the No Name Club and the new strategy. No Name Club has always been a great organisation which empowers young people and encourages them to have positive activities without the necessity to look for alcohol or whatever. It is great to hear there is a new strategy in that regard. I am looking forward to hearing more about it. The Senator also spoke about the horrific situation that is human trafficking. It is going on in every village and every town. There are these temporary brothels set up. Young women are coming in under the illusion of getting a job and having a new life and their passports are taken from them. It is shocking. It is modern day sex slavery, essentially. Well done to those who had that conference, Hidden in Plain Sight. We need to do more of it. I know through the years there have been different presentations by Ruhama and others in the audiovisual room. I am sure they will be coming back to us again. It is certainly something we need to be aware of.

Senator Boyhan spoke about the Bord Bia report, which highlighted €17 billion of exports. The Senator also highlighted Bloom, which is coming up. It is always a fantastic initiative and I love going to it. I think Senator Duffy has a particular interest in going this year. I look forward to being there. Senator Boyhan is correct in saying there are serious issues and concerns regarding tariffs and trade. The foreign affairs and trade committee is having its first meeting today and this will be very high on its agenda. I know the Cathaoirleach has proposed setting up a special select committee in the Seanad to deal with trade issues. Within those two places, we certainly have the opportunity. We can look for a general debate on the matter also. Senator Maria Byrne spoke about BusConnects and the Annacotty Business Park not being catered for. That is short-sighted. In Kildare, I do find the Local Link bus helpful. The NTA is quite helpful in discussing possibilities and the extension of existing links. I hope it can be solved at a local level. If not, the Senator has our support in bringing it up at a national level. While we try to support public transport and encourage people to use it, we need to make sure those links work.

Senator Nelson Murray spoke about the consultation concerning insurance reforms. I looked at that last week and there were only five submissions.

Linda Nelson Murray (Fine Gael)
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There are eight now.

Photo of Fiona O'LoughlinFiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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There are eight now. I raised the issue on the floor because I was disappointed to see there were only five submissions and the closing date was 19 May. As the Senator said, it is an important area. A lot of good reforms have been carried out. Those who have concerns need to put their submissions in. The Senator is absolutely right to highlight it.

Senator Craughwell spoke about Ryan Cornelius, who has been in prison in Dubai for 17 years. I genuinely do not know anything about the situation but I note his wife is Irish. If Senator Craughwell sends me the details, I will forward them to the Tánaiste's Department. We will see what kind of movement we can get. Senator Craughwell also spoke about the Air Corps decision to move the CASA aircraft to Shannon and the decision to move the Garda helicopter to Edmondstown. He said that we have to be careful to make sure we do not lose highly skilled Department of Defence personnel in that area. We will ask the Tánaiste, separate from the debate on Gaza, to come to the House on that matter. They need to be two separate debates.

Senator Scahill spoke about the safe routes to school. They were designed for a specific reason; he is right about that. It is disappointing to hear they are not being continued. We will ask the Minister to come to the House on that matter and for it to be raised it at the transport committee. We could also ask for it to be raised at the education committee. It is important. They money spent was not huge but it made a real difference to make it safe for our children.

Senator Andrews spoke about the Glass Bottle site. It would be disappointing to lose the 550 affordable housing units. We are not doing enough on affordable housing. There are also concerns regarding the 350 social housing units. I cannot see a situation because of Part V in which they would be lost but I appreciate the Senator's concerns. I suggest he submit a Commencement matter specifically about the site. There are other partners. It is a significant area and Dublin badly needs it. He has our support. He also mentioned the sad passing of Garda Kevin Flatley. We had a minute's silence for him yesterday. It is so tragic. Everybody I know is completely shocked by it. He seems to have been a very fine man and was doing overtime in an area he would not normally be in when this happened. We think of his wife, daughters, family, neighbours and the community.

Senator O'Reilly spoke about the possibility of personal injury awards being increased by 17%. The Government did not suggest that; it was the Judiciary. The Judiciary presented a report to the Minister for consideration. The Senator is correct that it suggested a 17% increase. I raised this matter last week on the floor of the House. It would be incredibly regrettable. Businesses would go out of business if there was an increase. It would lead to increased legal fees. I am sure all Senators will join me in asking the Minister, although he has to consider it, not to recommend this. We are with Senator O'Reilly on that.

Photo of Mark DalyMark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome guests of the Leas-Chathaoirleach, former councillor Mary Greene from Waterford and Nuala Kennedy from Carlow. They are welcome to Seanad Éireann.

I ask the Deputy Leader to move the expression of sympathy for former Senator Paddy O'Toole.

Order of Business agreed to.