Seanad debates
Thursday, 2 October 2025
An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
2:00 am
Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on growing and building resilience in Ireland’s small business and retail, to be taken at 12 p.m. and to conclude at 1.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated for the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed seven minutes each, all other Senators not to exceed four minutes each, time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate.
Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the comments of the Deputy Leader and her update on the Global Sumud Flotilla. I also welcome that the Tánaiste is engaging with our ambassador and providing consular assistance. I, too, want to stand in solidarity with our colleague, Senator Chris Andrews, and the others who have been detained. I am aware there is a lady from Galway involved. We are all touched and aware of the situation. It is important to also recognise what is happening in Gaza and call it what it is - a complete and utter genocide. With that, I will move on. It seems wrong to move on to another topic when we are talking about starving children and families who are being denied their very basic human rights, such as access to water. What has been portrayed by the interception of the flotilla is the denial of humanitarian aid getting to the most vulnerable. As a mother, you would do anything for your kids, as would dads and grandparents. However, what the Global Sumud Flotilla demonstrated was the upsurge of wanting to support, and its interception has denied the delivery of that support. I thank the Deputy Leader for the update on the flotilla. It is an evolving situation and I wish all involved a safe return to their families.
I recently attended the launch of the foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, FASD, report published by the positive health sciences element of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSI. The report was funded by the Department of children. The reason this report is so important is it is the first time we have done a study on foetal alcohol syndrome disorder. I am delighted this study has been conducted. This is the first stage of getting the disorder recognised. It is recognised in other jurisdictions right around the world but, unfortunately, we do not have a clinical team designated to such a disorder here in Ireland. It is hard to believe, given we are a nation of good drinkers, that we do not recognise it can have side effects. The report calls for going back to the awareness piece and to creating awareness that if you drink alcohol, whether you are male of female, it can have consequences when you are conceiving. The report clearly demonstrates the number of incidents where the disorder can exist and present. Families do not have any support, or anywhere to seek it. I would like to know which is the relevant Ministry on this issue. I am looking for the relevant Minister to come to the House discuss FASD.
Manus Boyle (Fine Gael)
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Today, I want to raise the issue of the N56. Over the past few weeks I have been contacted by four different families about planning issues along the N56 in west Donegal. This remains a serious challenge for rural communities in Donegal. At present, many young people living at home, and many living abroad who want to come home, want to secure planning permission to build on their family land but cannot do so along the N56. This is because they cannot get access onto the N56. The policy needs to be reviewed. It is unsustainable for rural Ireland. I am calling on the Minister to review this policy. Without access onto the N56 we are losing young people from our local communities, GAA clubs, marching bands and everything the community needs. An urgent review of this issue on the N56 is needed. Maybe the Deputy Leader could try to get the Minister to do something. It has been going on for over 20 years and is really harming rural communities in west Donegal.
Joe Conway (Independent)
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Although I am not a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy, I paid great attention to the massive fish kill in the River Blackwater on the Waterford-Cork border during the summer. It was an outrage. That is the only way to describe it. The best estimates are that around 30,000 fish died as a result. It was a very strange pattern of attrition among the fish. While that number of fish died, several other species of fish survived and remain perfectly healthy. It was a really unusual type of pollutant that got to them. The sad story is the officials told the committee yesterday that it is very unlikely that detection or resolution will be possible because the kill was not discovered until around 72 hours after the pollutant entered the river. It is hard to get your head around the fact that these are our own people damaging our own environment and not fessing up to it. The legislation bound up with fisheries is the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 and the Inland Fisheries Act 2010. Among other things, these set out the type of fines that can be imposed on breaches of the legislation. The fines are really quite substantial. The 2010 Act states that a person or concern can be fined up to €100,000 for breaches that impact on sensitive environments. It is mind-blowing to think that sort of thing can carry on. If we do not give teeth to the legislation or put in place the mechanisms to detect, then we are at nothing. As the fines are so huge, I wonder would the Government consider amending the 2010 Act to facilitate the offer of a bounty or reward. Somebody in the area around the River Blackwater knows what happened but they are not telling. I know it does not sound nice, but a bounty should be offered to induce people to come forward and stand up for our environment.
Maria McCormack (Sinn Fein)
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As mentioned last night, our colleague and friend Senator Chris Andrews, along with a number of other Irish citizens, was detained in international waters by heavily armed Israeli forces while on a peaceful humanitarian mission to Gaza. The mission was, as Senator Rabbitte clearly pointed out, about nothing more than bringing food and medicine to starving families. It was humanitarian, it was peaceful and it was non-violent, yet boats were seized and people were taken while the world watched. I want to acknowledge today the bravery and genuine determination of Senator Andrews, and of every Irish citizen who took part in the flotilla. Their courage is real. Their actions were rooted in compassion and solidarity, not politics. It was said in this Chamber last week when Senator Andrews' statement was read into the record that somehow this was about playing politics. I hope the whole House hears this clearly: this goes much deeper than politics. This is about humanity, international law, protecting Irish citizens and standing with people facing starvation, genocide and destruction. This is a serious breach of international law. The people taken last night are not combatants; they are parliamentarians, aid workers and human rights activists. They must be released. Senator Ruane will be tabling an amendment to the Order of Business and Sinn Féin will support it. I welcome the statement from the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. We need to secure the safe release of Senator Andrews, all our citizens, all who were detained and all flotilla passengers. There is a more important issue, however.It is a very sad day. I am gutted that the hopes of the people of Gaza, who are waiting desperately for this aid to arrive, have once again been crushed as the world looks on. I am frightened for my colleague and our citizens. I despair for the people of Gaza. I will not be silent while they continue to be in danger. Saoirse don Phalaistín.
Lynn Ruane (Independent)
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I thank the Deputy Leader for the comments at the beginning of the Order of Business. They are welcome. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that after statements, instead of finishing at 1.30 p.m., we have statements from An Taoiseach or the next available senior Minister to update the House on the flotilla and send a message to the families at home who, I am sure, are extremely concerned for their family members. As each day goes by in Gaza, the whole world becomes more broken. Every person is impacted, regardless of whether they realise it or not, whether through what they see on their screens or in their daily efforts to try to not see that because the complexities of what they see are often incomprehensible. People are struggling to process what is going on in the world. I stand open to correction, but I think four boats are still on course. They are not the ones that left a few days ago from Italy, but there are still four that are part of that flotilla and that have not yet been intercepted. They are surrounded, however. They are getting very close Gazan shores, which is completely legal to do. We need to send a strong message to allow those boats to continue on their way. Imagine being starving and knowing that there is aid quite close by at sea and that someone is stopping it getting to you. I think of the women who give birth and who once felt their own bodies could sustain their newborn babies through breast-feeding. They can no longer sustain them as a result of the fact that they are starving and their bodies are stressed and traumatised. They are displaced over and over again.
There are ships currently within reach that could provide lifesaving medicines. Imagine being a child who has to have an amputation without anaesthetic. Imagine that pain. We talk about the bravery of those attempting to bring aid and the resistance that continues to exist among the Gazan people to be who they are, namely to be Palestinians who are proud of their heritage. They continue to fight for their own survival in the face of pure evil. To use our privilege to vote for an amendment to call for statements in this Chamber does not take bravery. It just takes a decision on our own behalf to say we want statements on this matter to be taken today in order to send a strong message to our colleagues and to Palestine. It takes nothing for us or from us to vote in favour of an amendment that calls on the Taoiseach or a senior Minister to come to the Chamber to give an update and make a strong statement on this matter. It is a very easy ask.
Shane Curley (Fianna Fail)
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I acknowledge what has been said. What Senator Andrews is doing is extremely brave. It is not just symbolic. If those on the flotilla only save one life or prevent child having to go through an amputation unanaesthetised, they will have either saved a life or prevented a mental trauma that will never be reversed. I just cannot understand what the IDF is doing. It has shown absolutely no regard for international law, which it purported that it wanted the protection of for so long. What is happening beggars belief. We are all thinking of Senator Andrews. I hope he is okay.
In Kinvara, County Galway, two weeks ago, a schoolchild was knocked down while returning home from school. Last week, an elderly person was hospitalised after being struck by a vehicle in the village of Kinvara. The locals tell me it is only a matter of time before there is a fatality. Over 900 students cross the N67 main road daily for school drop-off and collection. There is not a single pedestrian crossing in the village and no traffic management plan either. County council officials told Kinvara community council it does not have the funding to provide what is necessary to make the village safer for those who live there and for the 900 plus students who go to school there every day. We need to talk to the Minister about this. He needs to come to the Chamber to have a conversation about why funding has not been made available to the council and why there is not a safer situation for people who really deserve it. This has been going on for years.
Paraic Brady (Fine Gael)
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I would like to be associated with all of the comments about Senator Andrews.
I would also like to discuss the Ryder Cup and what Europe achieved in the past week. We are proud of one of our own who made the final putt to secure the Ryder Cup for the European team. It is very special and will live not only in the minds of every golfer in Ireland but in the European team to have had such a comeback. In fairness, the Americans have to be commended on their comeback. However, that is not why I rise today. I want to speak about how the American fans conducted themselves during what was a sporting occasion. We saw the abuse Rory McIlroy endured along with Shane Lowry and other competitors. It is utterly disgusting that on such an occasion, professionals players received such abuse from fans. I hope the matter is discussed by the relevant authorities. This happened in America - in their house. If it happened in Ireland or any other European state, it would be discussed in their house. It is appropriate we discuss in this House the conduct of people towards our sporting heroes. I hope the fans who showed this disrespect will be dealt with in a timely manner. Ireland will host the Ryder Cup in two years' time. I hope those people will be named and shamed and will not enter this country for the spectacle. We will show people how we run an occasion. I look forward to that.
Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)
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I wish to voice my agreement with Senator Ruane's proposal. I wish Senator Andrews safety. I hope that he returns and that everything goes well.
I wish to speak about the budget and how it has a real impact on our people and businesses. This week, there were several witnesses before the enterprise committee, of which I am a member. Many said that businesses are six months away from shutting down. Perhaps pride of generational ownership is keeping many of those businesses afloat. We must remember that the budget cannot just be seen as a ledger or as figures. It has to be a statement of our Irish values. I have said many times in this House that small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They need support and targeted measures, not more burdens. Supports for local enterprise whether tax relief or cutting red tape cannot be optional extras in this budget. They are essential to retailers and hospitality providers and community employers.
Putting on my other hat, I am of the view that we cannot fail to address the homelessness and housing situation for the most vulnerable. Healthcare, housing, education and mental health must remain key priorities for all of the investment opportunities the budget will allow. With over 16,000 people now in emergency accommodation, 5,000 of whom are children, this budget cannot ignore these people. We must make sure we do not lose sight of climate action with this budget. It cannot be a tick-box exercise. All Departments must focus on climate as a national priority. This is our opportunity to shape a fairer, more resilient Ireland with this budget. We can rise to that challenge.
Alison Comyn (Fianna Fail)
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May I also add my herzliche wilkommen to our German ambassador and also wish him alles gute zum Tag der Deutschen Einheit. I utterly condemn what is happening to the global aid flotilla. It is an outrage. Like everybody else here, I wish for the safe return of all of the participants, particularly Irish citizens and especially my colleague and friend, Senator Chris Andrews. I hope we have a good outcome on this.
With the few remaining moments I have, I amplify the voices of 114 people in my county of Louth, many of them young people, who have signed an open letter calling for greater investment in youth work in budget 2026. They are backing the National Youth Council of Ireland's call for an additional €21.3 million to protect existing services, expand access and ensure that safe, well-equipped spaces are available. As we all, know youth work supports mental health, builds confidence and life skills and provides safe places where young people can thrive, but services are under real pressure with the rising cost of living, increased demand and years of underfunding threatening their survival. This is not just about young people, but the future of our communities. In particular, it is about what we can offer these young people, who are our voices for the next generation. I therefore ask that the Deputy Leader arrange a debate with the Minister for education, Deputy McEntee, to set out clearly how we as a Government can support youth work in budget 2026 and beyond.
Nicole Ryan (Sinn Fein)
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I commend my colleague Senator Andrews, who has shown real courage in joining in the Global Sumud Flotilla to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza. It takes bravery to step into those boats knowing the risks, but he did so out of conscience. He was not alone. Irish citizens, activists and human rights defenders from across the world were on board, standing in solidarity with the people of Gaza. Too often, we applaud words but shy away from action. These activists have taken the step, putting their own safety on the line, to highlight a genocide that can no longer be ignored. They deserve not just our respect, but equally our support. The Irish Government cannot sit idly by. We welcome the update from the Deputy Leader this morning, but we must ensure that Senator Andrews and all those aboard are treated with dignity and brought home safely. Today is a reminder that politics is not just what we say here but what we are willing to do when human lives are at stake. I am incredibly proud of Senator Andrews, who has shown he is not only willing to talk the talk inside this Chamber, but equally walk the walk with the other activists on the flotilla. We are proud of Senator Andrews and stand with him and all of the activists onboard, along with the people of Palestine. We need to stop the genocide now. Saoirse don Phalaistín.
Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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The people of Ireland, almost in our entirety, are shocked at what is ongoing in the Middle East. Ireland has been very much in the vanguard when it comes to pressing the case for Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank. No country of our size has done more. We have dragged many of the larger European countries to the table and emphasised at European level, national level and at every opportunity that what is taking place in the Middle East is nothing short of wanton destruction and genocide. However, we are dealing with a nation that does not understand a proportional or rational response to any situation. The Israelis are simply not going to react rationally to any situation. We continue to do as we have consistently done since the 1970s. Fianna Fáil was to the fore as far back as then in acknowledging what was happening in the Middle East.
I echo the sentiments of colleagues for Senator Chris Andrews. As I understand it, nine Irish nationals have possibly been detained. One such member of the flotilla is Naoise Dolan, who is connected to my county of Longford through her grandparents. We are obviously concerned for all of those people and send them our best wishes. I will be impressing upon the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach to do everything possible to get the people who are detained released.
However, I take issue with one point. Last night, Sinn Féin released a video of Chris Andrews that was clearly recorded before he left. In that video, he claimed he had been kidnapped. Chris Andrews-----
Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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I remind Sinn Féin of the impact that kidnapping has had on this country, in the main perpetrated by-----
Nicole Ryan (Sinn Fein)
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These are cheap shots during a genocide. Cheap shots.
Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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-----Senator Ryan's party. Tiede Herrema was not given the opportunity to record a video before he was kidnapped. Jean McConville was not given-----
Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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-----an opportunity to record a video before she was kidnapped.
Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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Ben Dunne was not given an opportunity. Don Tidey was not given an opportunity. Paddy Kelly, an Army private-----
Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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-----and Gary Sheehan, the Garda probationer, who were on duty that day in Ballinamore were not given an opportunity to record a video before they were shot dead by the IRA.
Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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Thomas Niedermayer was not given an opportunity-----
Nicole Ryan (Sinn Fein)
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These are absolute cheap shots. This is about genocide.
Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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I have absolute solidarity for Senator Andrews but it is not kidnapping.
Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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Tell Sinn Féin’s press office it is not kidnapping.
Lynn Ruane (Independent)
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It is very much a kidnapping. The activists are in international waters. They have been taken from international waters.
Lynn Ruane (Independent)
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If somebody came in here and kidnapped me from the Chamber with no charges or without me committing any crime, that would be kidnapping.
Lynn Ruane (Independent)
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They have been kidnapped in international waters. Israel does not own international waters and the Senator has just used a genocide in Gaza to make political points. Shame on him.
Sharon Keogan (Independent)
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I am very disappointed in Senator Flaherty.
Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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Can we have silence and order, please? I move to the next speaker, Senator Byrne.
Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I raise an issue about the tillage sector that came before the agricultural committee yesterday. I spoke in this Chamber recently about the impact that low grain prices are having in my home county of Wexford, where we have a very strong and vibrant tillage sector. Unfortunately, as things are at the moment, tillage farmers have told me that they do not see a future in the sector and that this is the worst year in a generation.
One of the issues highlighted yesterday before the Oireachtas agricultural committee was that, at present, one can market Irish whiskey without a need for Irish grain in the whiskey. There could be a situation where Irish whiskey can be sold and successfully labelled as such while the only ingredient that comes from Ireland is water. I encourage the Deputy Leader to ask the Minister responsible for this area to come before the House and make a statement on this matter. If we are to support our tillage sector, there should be a food labelling requirement that grain from Ireland must be used when marketing something as Irish whiskey.
Frances Black (Independent)
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It is absolutely outrageous that what happened yesterday to Irish citizens has been used as a political football and that cheap shots have been made at another party here today. What Israel is doing is beyond belief. It is committing genocide, killing children and breaking international law. The world is watching. None of the governing bodies is doing anything. Plenty are talking about it but there is no real action. What just happened here was absolutely outrageous and I hope that the constituents of the Member who said those things will call him out for his behaviour this morning.
I second the amendment that Senator Ruane proposed. I pay huge respect to the human rights activists on the Global Sumud Flotilla. They are so courageous and brave and are doing what the governments should be doing. I was thinking this morning about the people in Gaza, the starvation and the children who have lost parents and are now looking after one another. Yesterday, I saw a seven-year-old comforting a five-year-old whose parents had been lost. If this was happening in any other country, we would be up in arms and protecting those innocent victims and civilians.
It must be lovely for the people of Gaza to see the flotilla coming in and the courage of the activists. I hope we get the debate. I encourage all Members of the Seanad to vote to support the amendment to the Order of Business. I am pleading with them to support the amendment. We need to show the courage of this House and that we can do this. We need to show the families of those on the flotilla that we care and have compassion.I am asking every single one of the Members here today to please support the amendment to have this debate.
Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)
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I raise the issue of the impending storms that are about to hit the west at the weekend. The review into the co-ordinated response into Storm Éowyn needs to be published and made available to us before the forthcoming storm season kicks in. Not enough has been done to ready the western part of the country for the next season of storms. We still have many broadband lines that are down and leaning against hedges. Electrical wires have been repaired but a permanent solution has not been put in place for them. I do not believe the network is resilient enough to ready us for the forthcoming storm season.
More than 7,600 houses were without power after Storm Éowyn in February. Some were for a few hours but many were for a few days and others for a few weeks. I believe we need to learn from these lessons and provide constituents with the assurances that we have taken every possible measure to prepare for the forthcoming season. I support Deputy Micheál Carrigy's call for this earlier this week. Deputy Carrigy is the Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. It is timely that this report and review should be published.
Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)
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I want to be associated with the comments regarding Senator Andrews. He is a true activist and I admire that he had the courage of convictions to go and try do something when words are failing.
Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)
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Everybody seems to be banging their heads off the wall. I admire his courage and bravery.
I raise a matter that has gone under radar because of the all of the other matters being brought up here. As far as I know, there has been zero media coverage on it. I am not sure how many people know that there are four people outside the gates of Dáil Éireann on hunger strike. They are victims of industrial and reformation school abuse and they are looking for justice. I met with them two days ago and they have very reasonable asks: access to a Health (Amendment) Act card and a contributory pension. I understand that the Minister, Deputy McEntee, met with them and had nothing concrete to offer them. This needs to be addressed before the situation escalates. I am extremely concerned for the well-being of these survivors. They have been on hunger strike for 12 days and are showing no signs of giving up. One of the ladies out there is 74 years-of-age. When I spoke to her, I felt she was very fragile. We cannot leave survivors of abuse sitting out in the cold while we all head back home to our constituencies at the weekend. The most vulnerable people in our society should not have to take such drastic action to be heard. I ask that the Minister comes to this Chamber and makes a statement on this today.
Sharon Keogan (Independent)
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I too want to be associated with the comments relating to Senator Chris Andrews and our Independent colleague in the Dáil, Deputy Barry Heneghan, who is also on one of the flotillas as well. It says a lot about the character of the people who go on these missions. It shows us who they are as individuals and activists. They are willing to go to whatever lengths it takes to try to do something in this madness.
Today and yesterday are very holy days in Israel, believe it or not. All of the Jewish people celebrate Yom Kippur. They are among the holiest days in their calendar. They are days of atonement and take place over yesterday and today. It says in Leviticus, "For on this day, He will forgive you to purify you and you will be cleansed for all your sins before God". I certainly hope that those who have caused all these killings and genocide will reflect on what they have done, no matter what God or prophet they follow. It is absolutely horrific what the people of Palestine and those experiencing genocides throughout the world are going through. Whether it is taking place in Sudan, the Congo, or elsewhere, they are too numerous to mention.
I want to thank the Government for something else. The MetroLink railway order came this morning. It is absolutely a fantastic piece of infrastructure that this country has been looking for for the past 25 years. I think it was first mooted in 2001. It was announced this morning and will be 19 km in length and will run from Swords to Dublin’s city centre. However, I am really concerned about the €2 billion that has been allocated for it because the Government has said that it will be establishing a dedicated State delivery body for the MetroLink. I do not want that €2 billion to be eaten up. I hope they set out some parameters in relation to how they are going to spend that money and just get on with building it. Well done to the Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, and the Government for putting this project on the books to get done.
Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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First, I want to say that I am thinking of the people of Gaza. A guiding light for my work here is that we should shine a light in a dark place. I pay tribute to our colleague, Senator Chris Andrews, for his bravery and courage. He is walking the journey and embarking on a journey. He is a man of conviction and one of our own. It is at times like this that we, as a Parliament, should be united in our support of him and the cause of Gaza. I am more than happy to endorse and support the amendment to the Order of Business today. I also support the great courage of Barry Heneghan, our Independent TD. They are a shining a light and moving beyond words into actions to highlight the terrible injustice of the crisis that is Gaza and, more importantly, its people. It is too easy for us to sit in our comfortable armchairs at 9 o'clock and say it is all shocking and terrible and then turn the button off and walk away. These people are walking their talk. They are courageous and I salute both of them.
I raise one issue relating to Family Carers Ireland. Everyone will be aware of it having received the organisation's pre-budget document. What is interesting about its pre-budget document for 2026 is that it says it has exactly the same asks as it asked for in 2005. There are eight points: the abolition of the carer's allowance means test; a fair and adequate income for carers; a right - an absolute right - to respite; delivery of the statutory home supports scheme; a fully funded carer guarantee; priority supports for children with additional needs; delivery of housing, transport and climate justice; and support for working family carers. I commend the organisation's pre-budget submission to the House. I hope we will take it on board and use our contacts within our party and political networks to once again highlight the need for these key asks. Family Carers Ireland is worthy of our support and we need to support it.
Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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I have so many notes in front on me now, and I am trying to rearrange today's schedule, so forgive me if I do not get every single piece. We started off with Senator Rabbitte expressing solidarity with Senator Chris Andrews and others. I understand from Senator Ruane that Deputy Heneghan is about three days behind. He is on the next flotilla.
Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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We have to acknowledge Deputy Heneghan because we cannot just acknowledge one Oireachtas Member not the other. That is important. Senator Rabbitte rightly called out the genocide that is happening in Gaza. It is absolutely heartbreaking. We are all on the same page. Sometimes it frustrates me when there is a sense that it is one side against the other. We all agreed on a motion under Fianna Fáil's Private Members' Bill last Thursday.I was really appreciative of everybody working together and of us, as a party, accepting amendments. We should not get into them-versus-us behaviour regarding the issue of denial of human rights and humanitarian aid, as Senator Rabbitte said.
The Senator also mentioned the launch of the foetal alcohol syndrome disorder report published by the RCSI and funded by the Department of children. It is interesting that it is the first study, although other work has gone on in other countries. It is the first step in getting this disorder recognised and creating more awareness of the sad impact that alcohol can have at the time of conception and during pregnancy. This falls between the Minister for Health and the Minister for children, but we will look to have a debate in relation to it.
Senator Boyle spoke about planning issues along the N56 and how people could not get planning permission there and the policy needed to be reviewed. I completely agree. It is the same on the R414 in Kildare. Once safety criteria are met and sight lines are very clear, I believe that people should have the right to build, particularly when it is on family land and so on. I would support that call for the policy to be changed. We will send that matter to the Minister.
Senator Joe Conway spoke about the fish kill in Waterford. It was shocking that 30,000 fish died. A thorough investigation was carried out under the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley. The group that came together to co-ordinate it included the EPA, Inland Fisheries Ireland, the Marine Institute, Cork County Council, the local authorities water programme, Uisce Éireann, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the HSE. Unfortunately, they were not able to find a definitive cause, which is regrettable, but it is being treated very seriously, and rightly so.
Senator McCormack spoke about the serious breach of international law and about the bravery of Senator Andrews. We will add Deputy Heneghan to that. The Senator proposed an amendment to the Order of Business.
Senator Ruane spoke passionately and eloquently about what was happening in Gaza and the heartbreak that this was causing for every single one of us. Nobody has a monopoly on how bad anyone can feel, because every single one of us in the country feels bad about this.
Senator Curley spoke about Kinvara and the two accidents that happened recently on the road where 900 students have to cross daily. There is no crossing. I do not understand how the safe routes to school programme has not been applied by Galway County Council.
Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail)
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It is a national route. It is TII.
Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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It is because it is a national route. Priority has been given to schools in every single county by the local authorities. Obviously, there is a particular situation with this, but we certainly would echo our support. Every child going to school should have a safe route to school.
Senator Brady spoke about the Ryder Cup and what a great achievement it was for Europe and the Irish players. The behaviour was appalling. I remember going to the last Ryder Cup in Ireland. I am not a golfer and do not know a lot about golf, but I remember being really impressed with the decorum and respect that everybody treated everybody else with. This weekend's behaviour was shocking to see. We will not put up with that when the Ryder Cup comes to Ireland. We absolutely will not. We are proud to host it. It is important to host it. I have no doubt that Adare will be a wonderful host, but that type of behaviour will absolutely not be tolerated. It should not have been tolerated in America.
Senator McCarthy touched on practically every single Department in terms of priorities for the budget. He spoke about businesses and he was right, in that we have to support SMEs. We need to have targeted measures for them.
The Senator also mentioned homelessness. It remains a consistent priority for the Government. It cannot and will not be ignored. I have no doubt that there will be strong measures in this regard this.
Senator Comyn spoke about the greater investment needed in youth work and called on the Minister for education to come and have a debate on same. I would agree. The informal parts of education need as much emphasis and investment. Our young people need to have, outside of the formal education process, a place where they can flourish. For some, they do not flourish through education but will through other types of youth work. We support that and will look for a debate on it down the line.
Senator Nicole Ryan also spoke in support of the amendment regarding Gaza, again outlining the daily horrific situation that people find themselves in.
Senator Flaherty spoke about Ireland having done a lot in relation to Gaza and Palestine more widely. He is right in saying that no country has done more. That recognition has been given by the Palestinian ambassador to Ireland. I have had several conversations with her and she has repeatedly said that the Palestinians themselves, including those in Gaza, recognise that the Irish Government has done more than any other government in terms of being a very small island. When we consider that we started the whole call for a two-state solution and now there are 150 countries doing so, that is really important. It is also important in terms of the Commission and the Israeli business deal. We have to acknowledge that the Commission finally has started work in that regard.
Senator Cathal Byrne spoke about the issue of tillage. I attended some of the agriculture committee hearings yesterday. He is absolutely right. Listening to those involved, they need Exchequer support and a policy change. There is a big issue whereby native grain is not being used and there is a lack of clarity around that. There needs to be differentiation. That is the biggest priority and there needs to be a marketing campaign. Senator Byrne has looked for a debate on this. The Minister for agriculture was here for two hours with the Fine Gael debate last night, and I am sure the Senator had the opportunity to raise it then.
Senator Black seconded the amendment to the Order of Business. She spoke very strongly, as she has always done, in relation to supporting Gaza. However, I think it is unfair of the Senator to say that there has been no real action. She knows that we spent a very intense period at the committee before the recess examining the occupied territories Bill and making strong recommendations. I honestly do not think it is fair to say that nothing is happening. She spoke about a seven-year-old child comforting a five-year-old child. That is heartbreaking. Children grow up so quickly. Children should never see what they have seen or have to cope with what they are doing.
Senator Scahill spoke about the storm and the impact it has had and has looked for the report and the review. We support that.
Prior to the start of the Order of Business, I was in discussion with Ministers with regard to taking an emergency motion. This should be something we all collectively do. I understand from the calls I made and from making calls during the Order of Business that the Taoiseach is not available. He is abroad, as Senators know. Apparently, there is going to be a debate in the Dáil, so the Tánaiste will be tied up with that, but I have managed to get the Minister of State, Thomas Byrne, who is willing to come to the House to take that debate today. I am going to formally read that into the record. That will be between 1.39 p.m. and 3 p.m. today. I will now outline the Order of Business, as changed.
Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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We have to put the amendment from Senator Ruane first and then the Deputy Leader can propose her amendment.
Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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It was Senator McCormack who proposed the amendment first.
Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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Apologies. I will outline No. 1a on the Supplementary Order Paper. Statements on the Global Sumud Flotilla will be taken at 1.30 p.m. and conclude at 3 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister of State not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed seven minutes each, all other Senators not to exceed four minutes each, time may be shared, and the Minister of State to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate. On the conclusion of business, the House shall adjourn until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 7 October 2025.
Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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Senator Ruane has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 1a on the Supplementary Order Paper be taken after No. 1." Is the amendment being pressed?