Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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The Order of Business is No. 1, the third report of the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight, on the amendment of Standing Order 111A, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024 – Committee Stage (resumed) to be taken at 1 p.m. and to adjourn at 4 p.m. if not previously concluded; and No. 3, statements on the all-island rail review, to be taken at 4.30 p.m and to conclude at 6 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 seven minutes, all other Senators not to exceed four minutes, time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I extend our deepest sympathies to the family of the former Senator, Professor James Doolan. I remember him coming to my house when my father was a councillor. There were lots of visitors and, living out in the country, one always looked forward to those who came canvassing for the Seanad election. He stood out. There was just something very special about him. I think part of that was because of his sister, Lelia, who was the most wonderful actress. My parents were big into theatre and drama at the time and that connection was an important one. We remember him fondly. As the Cathaoirleach said, he added a lot to the Seanad and to academia.

There are a number of issues I wish to raise. The first is the fact that today starts Baby Loss Awareness Week. It is an important week for so many. We know from statistics, behind which are heartbroken families, that approximately one in five pregnancies in Ireland ends in miscarriage. That is approximately 50 every day. In addition, approximately 250 babies are stillborn every year. Féileacáin does a wonderful job supporting heartbroken and bereaved parents. I know that from a friend of mine who sadly lost twins. One was stillborn and the other died a few hours later. Féileacáin does incredible work at a really important and difficult time for mums, dads and all of the extended family, etc. It is important we acknowledge and recognise the work Féileacáin does and say to families that we are thinking of them.

I also raise an issue that has occurred at a hub in Enfield where the library is colocated with other businesses. Seven young people with autism who are non-verbal attend a service there twice a week. The service gives great support to the young people and their families who are from Meath and north-west Kildare. Some of these families contacted me. Unfortunately, a complaint was made within the library services that some noise was emanating from the autism service. The library service has decided that this is not an appropriate place for the autism service to continue. I contacted Meath County Council and I spoke to Councillor Caroline O'Reilly, who is very supportive of trying to find a space for the families. It goes to the question of how we support people with disabilities and their families. We have to support them and find safe and inclusive spaces for them to have their journey. It is a matter about which we need to have a wider debate.

Linda Nelson Murray (Fine Gael)
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I would like to discuss how we need to broaden the donor base for critical blood supplies. We have all heard this morning how the Irish Blood Transfusion Service is calling for people to donate blood, such is its enormous fear that it might have to go into an amber alert in the next few days. Ireland has never been in an amber alert for donating blood. It would mean that elective surgeries would have to stop, which none of us wants to see.

There are a few thing we can do when it comes to donating blood. The average age of someone donating blood in Ireland is 46. It is time to educate people in secondary schools and colleges about the value of donating blood. When I donate blood, I get a text message to tell me my blood has gone somewhere and is going to help save someone. It is just the most amazing feeling. It is like that feeling when you give someone a present at Christmas or for their birthday.There is nothing nicer than giving, and giving blood is the ultimate thing people can do. Maybe we could look at educating people and look at the age limit that applies. The maximum age up to which people can donate blood is 65. Given that we are living longer, should we look at extending that? Should we consider the need to communicate in different languages in light of the diverse population we have? Another thing we might need to look at is speaking to employers to see if they could give employees even two hours of paid leave each year to allow them to give blood. It only takes about two hours to do make a donation, and it is very important.

The other matter I wish to raise is the fact that I am a bit disappointed in the potential no-confidence motion in the Tánaiste, Deputy Harris. I am new to all of this. I am a new Senator, but I have been a very proud to be a member of Fine Gael for the past few years and I am very proud to work with Simon Harris. He is such a hard worker. He is an amazing teacher, in a way, if you look at his politics and how he operates. It is sad when something like this happens. We have record levels of employment and fewer than ever people on hospital waiting lists. We are doing so much for the country in government, and that needs to be recognised. I know Peadar Tóibín; I grew up with him. He is a very good politician and has been a friend of mine for years. I am disappointed in what is happening today. I hope we can move on from it, get back to work, get back to doing what we need to do in government and get back to being good politicians who do not give out about each other but who work together to achieve the right result.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Before I call the next speaker, from Kilcormac, I welcome our guests from Active Retirement Croí Óg and Coláiste Naomh Cormac. I thank them for being here today. We hope they enjoy their stay in Leinster House.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
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Last week, the House debated a motion on head and neck cancer. Much of what was in that motion revolved around my daughter Rebecca's experience. Colleagues from within the House and the Government supported the motion. Somehow or other, however, a story seems to have developed around the House to the effect that my daughter is very unwell. She is not. Rebecca has a wonderful life when she is well, but like all cancer patients, when she is not well, she has a pretty miserable time. She has been in intensive care on a number of occasions when we nearly lost her but she has come back each time. The importance point here is that what we were looking for via the motion was a small amount of money to allow reconstructive work to take place in dental hospitals in Dublin, Galway and Cork. It was wonderful to have the support of colleagues here. I hope something happens.

Unlike any other sort of cancer, head and neck cancer disfigures your face. It leaves you with a permanent mark for the rest of your life. That mark is there for everybody to see. I recall being in a shop with Rebecca on one occasion. She was standing at the counter waiting to buy something and I was browsing and looking for something. The next thing I heard was the guy behind the counter saying to her, "Oh Christ, you're not one of them that cuts yourself are you?" Why did he ask that? It is because she has a scar under her neck. Rebecca, being a feisty woman, fairly explained to him what it was all about. I again thank colleagues. Senator Nelson Murray made a point about Simon Harris a few moments ago. We are great at cutting the backs off one another every now and then, but, by God, when we come together, we are a wonderful organisation. I will always be grateful for that.

There has been a lot of talk about the €1.49 billion that has gone into defence. We are a country roughly the same size as Finland. Our populations and economies are also roughly the same size. Finland is spending €6.7 billion on defence; we are spending €1.49 billion. We are coming into the Presidency of the EU. Michéal Martin has said we are going to have to call on European neighbours to help us to secure the country during our Presidency. For a proud, sovereign nation, that is totally unacceptable. We want to carve a route for ourselves. Many people talk about neutrality, but this country is actually militarily non-aligned. If we want to stay that way, we have to do something about it. I request that the Tánaiste come before the House - once he has survived the motion of no-confidence, which I have no doubt he will - for a debate on how we develop going forward. There are green shoots within the Defence Forces. Things are beginning to change. What we need to do is accelerate that as best we can. If the Leader could do something about that, I would appreciate it.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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Earlier this year, Pearse House residents were devastated to hear that the regeneration plans for their flat complex were going to be pulled. The Government said the plans were pulled because there was no additionality on the site. On a superficial level, one would think that is reasonable. However, the Pearse House complex was built in the 1930s. The flats are absolutely tiny. There is also a preservation order on complex. It was impossible to get additionality on a tight site that is subject to such an order. This has been devastating for residents. They had hopes to move to adequate, proper accommodation, but that now seems a distant dream.

They are not alone. Their counterparts in Markiewicz House, a complex located not far from Pearse House, live in similar conditions. That complex is affected by damp and mould. In addition, there are raw sewage leaks in all flat complexes right across the city. These flats are collapsing around the people who live in them. The residents of Pearse House have engaged in an amazing campaign. They have worked really hard with the council. In fairness, the council and Mick Mulhern have been very supportive and are looking to come up with solutions. Ultimately, it is the Government that holds the purse strings. As a result, it is the Government that will decide what happens to Pearse House. It has decided to put Pearse House residents on hold, having raised their hopes for a number of years.

The residents have campaigned for a long time. They are determined and will not go away. They are going to continue to fight for their rights and for some sort of decent and humane conditions to live in. If the Government were serious about additionality, then it should know that there are sites right beside Pearse House which Dublin City Council own and which could be developed in order to create additionality. However, there is no flexibility on the part of the Government to ensure that some quality of life is bestowed on the residents of Pearse House and Markiewicz House. Those residents and their counterparts in all the other flat complexes have been forgotten.

I ask that the Government show some flexibility in the context of additionality. This matter should not just be viewed in the context of that tight site at Pearse House; it should also encompass the adjacent properties that Dublin City Council owns. If you go further afield in the area - but and not that much further - you will come across Verschoyle Court just up the road. That is a big site with huge potential for redevelopment. That is where you will get the additionality. The Government needs to be flexible and do the right thing for residents of Pearse House.

Nessa Cosgrove (Labour)
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Anyone who was listening to Claire Byrne yesterday would have been struck by the very sad but uplifting story of Claire Colum from Strokestown in Roscommon. Ms Colum spoke about her daughter Kate, who was five years old when she died following a severe strep A infection on 31 March 2023. Kate had been admitted to Sligo University Hospital on the Wednesday of that week after she became very ill. Kate had Down's syndrome. She was a very robust little girl and it was unusual for her to be ill. Kate's parents knew something was wrong when they brought her to the hospital and placed their trust in the diagnosis by the medical staff that she had a nasty virus. She met all the criteria for a diagnosis of sepsis and should have been treated accordingly on the Wednesday. However, the opportunity was missed. She was monitored as if she was suffering with a virus that would pass and was discharged from the hospital on the Thursday morning. She was readmitted early on the Friday morning, having been transported to the hospital by ambulance.Although the medical staff in Sligo University Hospital made a tremendous effort to save Kate's life, it was too late. Last week, an inquest ruled that her death occurred as a result of medical misadventure. The Coroner's Court found that the seriousness of her condition was missed when she was first admitted to hospital.

I am raising this today after listening to the strength and positivity of Kate's mother, Claire, as I have raised in the Seanad before. One factor in this may be the way in which children with Down's syndrome or who are neurodivergent can present to doctors and health professionals when they are ill. They may react differently in a hospital environment or not demonstrate the same signs as other children who are seriously ill. Having different methods of triaging patients with additional needs is something that I have raised previously. Equality does not mean treating everyone identically. It means taking differences into to account to ensure an equal outcome. Kate's parents, Claire and Matthew, have talked about how her passing would not define their life. They remember Kate as being a fun-loving child who loved playschool, farming, chocolate buttons and jigsaws. They have very generously turned their grief into action and have agreed to help the HSE to better train staff in assessing the needs of children with Down's syndrome or who are neurodivergent. The training programme in Cork used the letters of Kate's name: K for kind, A for alert, T for time and E for experts.

I wanted to raise this because, like anyone who was listening to the show, I was touched by Kate's mother and the way she spoke about her daughter. I want to express my condolences to Claire and Matthew, and her brothers Matthew and Daniel, and the other members of her family. The loss of a child is a loss that no parent should endure. I hope their generosity of support will be enthusiastically taken up by the HSE.

Paul Daly (Fianna Fail)
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On my way here this morning, I heard an interview on "Morning Ireland" with a lady called Ann Woodlock, who is an 86-year-old who won a gold medal for Ireland in the European Masters Athletics Championships in Madeira at the weekend. It was a breath of fresh air and I take this opportunity to congratulate her. It was such a refreshing interview. It got me thinking about the fact that it was in the same news cycle as the news over the last couple of days about Shane Ryan, our Olympic swimmer, having signed up to the Enhanced Games. I compliment, congratulate and thank Shane for the service that he has given Irish sport. I heard his interview on the radio yesterday evening. What struck me was his justification for signing up to the Enhanced Games, where you can actually take drugs under a doctor's supervision. We can do nothing to change that and I have no problem with it. That is his decision. His justification for it was that it was an opportunity for him to make some money, having been on a mere €18,000 per year as an elite swimmer in the Irish elite swimming team for the Olympics.

We all get carried away with the Olympics every four years. We are all in, looking for reviews, money and meetings with the Minister for sport, and we want more medals the next time, then it dies off. Maybe it is time to revisit that. I would like to ask for the Minister for sport to come in to have a debate about that fact. We cannot influence the enhanced games. It is up to us whether we agree or disagree with it. I would be fearful that it would become a model for young people. If these lads start breaking world records and it looks like taking drugs is normalised, what influence will that have on younger people through social media, with the stature people might have with their speeds and performances? I am fearful of that. There is nothing we can do about it. They are not breaking any laws, apparently, in America. The fact that he was only on €18,000 was what struck a chord with me. Maybe we should have that conversation now as opposed to post Olympics when we are celebrating or giving out about our performances.

Evanne Ní Chuilinn (Fine Gael)
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I echo a couple of things before I get started. The first is about Ann Woodlock. Ann is from Drimnagh. I know her well. I see her every Saturday doing the park run. She is the best of us and she beats the best of us every single Saturday. Congratulations to her on her gold medal at the weekend and the best of luck this weekend in her next event.

I also echo Senator Nelson Murray's comments about an Tánaiste, Simon Harris. Notwithstanding the fact that I would not be here without Simon Harris, the benefit or advantage that we have is that we see what Simon does behind the scenes. He is the hardest of workers. He knows his brief so well. He is a role model for all the rest of us who are budding politicians. We wish him well this afternoon.

I was going to start by giving out about something, and then I got an email this morning which was very good news, so I no longer need to give out. The Loreto Centre Crumlin does amazing work. It provides free counselling and psychotherapy services to the people of Crumlin and its environs. About 41 counsellors are working there free of charge, which obviously takes massive pressure off the HSE locally. They deliver 3,000 sessions to 250 people every year. Those people would not afford counselling and they certainly would not be joining a HSE waiting list to try to get access to that counselling. Various representatives in the area have been campaigning behind the scenes for the last number of weeks and months to get essential funding, because the Loreto Centre was established 25 years ago by the Loreto order, but it is pulling back from its services in Ireland, so the centre was going to have to close unless it got emergency funding. It needs €100,000 every year, which is not a lot of money when you consider that 40 counsellors work and deliver sessions to 250 people every single year.

The news today was very welcome. There was a meeting with the HSE last week and the centre has been awarded €65,000 in funding for now and next year. We will have to revisit this in 2027 and I will have to start giving out again, but for now, I just want to congratulate Anca Lupu, the manager. She is the only staff member in the centre; everybody else is voluntary. Congratulations on getting the funding over the line. We will continue to advocate for the Loreto Centre into the future.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I join the Cathaoirleach in condolences to James Doolan, a professor and Senator, and remarkable man. I lived close by him in Monkstown because he lived there for many years. He was always a thorough gentleman. He brought great wisdom. He was one of a handful of really great, distinguished Senators in this House. He had varied and wide contributions to make. He was an experienced and well-travelled operator anyway. It was great to see that. I am always conscious when people come into this House, be they nominated or elected, that we need diversity of background, tradition and age. The age has crept down for some and not for others. Other opportunities and encouraging people to come into these Houses, legitimately as Taoiseach's nominees or through the election, is something that we need to bear in mind. There is a time for us all to move on and to make way for other people. I was thinking that as the Cathaoirleach was talking about him.

I raise the issue of the continuing hunger strikes of people who were in institutional care. We have had many debates about this in these Houses. There has been much talk of support. What are these people asking? When I spoke to a number of people involved in this campaign, they said they have nothing to lose. That is a profound statement for people to have to make. They are committed to their struggle and to highlighting the issue. They are seeking an enhanced medical card. Bearing in mind the age of these people and the people they represent, it is not too much to ask. I ask people who have the opportunities to meet their parliamentary parties this week to highlight it again. I know they are committed on all sides. It is not a criticism of anyone in here or in the Dáil, but let us highlight it, because this is not going to go away. It is a simple, human ask to acknowledge the hurt, disappointment and setbacks that these people have had, and the role the State played in that. Their physical and mental health is really important. I ask that we highlight it wherever we can in the next days, in the corridors of power and these Houses. The other thing is the enhanced medical card. It is not too much.

The issue of a pension is more difficult and more protracted. We have to accept that many people incarcerated in these institutions were used as slave labour. We have to find a way, whether an enhanced payment, a pension, a recognition payment or call it what you like, but they must somehow be given recompense and some contribution for their labours within our institutions.

Paraic Brady (Fine Gael)
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Today I raise an issue once again that, unfortunately, affects the farming community. This week, four of our major supermarkets have decided to have a price war regarding the price of milk. This sector, where farmers produce liquid milk, has seen 43% of liquid milk producers leaving in the last ten years, which is highly worrying. We have seen costs increase.We have seen outputs decrease. I urge these four retailers to move away from the Irish farming sector. If they want a price war, move it into the coffee industry or somewhere it does not affect homegrown produce or the farmers of this country. The housewives of all these farmers shop in these supermarkets.

I urge that, if the price war is not stood down in the next ten days, the people of rural Ireland boycott these supermarkets and not do the shopping there. Then they would realise the people and the farmers have a voice and that we support the farmers in this country. I urge the four retailers, and everybody knows who they are, to stand down their price war. This is having a major effect on fresh milk produce. Co-ops have been reducing the prices for September and October. I urge the supermarkets to move the war somewhere else before the war is moved to their door.

Noel O'Donovan (Fine Gael)
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I echo my colleagues' disappointment in learning of the motion of no confidence in our party leader, the Tánaiste, Deputy Simon Harris. Let us be straight here: the dogs in the street know the exact reason the motion is being put down. It is because we have a presidential election next week. It is the greatest form of populist politics - I would call it pathetic politics. I hope the general public will see what it actually is. We have a duty as public representatives to call Government and the political parties to account if there are issues or challenges or issues in our communities not being worked on, but this is populist politics at its very best.

At the heart of this are scoliosis and spina bifida issues. I welcome the fact the Minister for Health and the Tánaiste have met the family of Harvey Morrison Sherratt recently but let us not forget why the motion is put down and let us call it out for what it is. I, too, have seen the Tánaiste at work on a daily basis here. Let us not forget the threats made on his life and against his family. We need to be careful as public representatives. When motions are put down and go to social media, that is the effect they can have, so I call out this motion directly.

I have raised in this House on a number of occasions the issue of infrastructure and the lack thereof in constituencies across the country. I welcome the additional funding put into infrastructure in the budget. The electricity grid and water and wastewater services need to be improved but when we see increased funding, we need to see efficiencies and delivery on the ground. We need to improve how Uisce Éireann and other State bodies communicate that delivery back to public representatives. I call for a debate with the Minister for housing to hear his plans to ensure State agencies spend money wisely. We all as public representatives email, phone and write to Uisce Éireann and it is deeply frustrating to get updates that take a long time. There is scope to put in place a website or a better communication method for public representatives at all levels to communicate the work being done.

Joanne Collins (Sinn Fein)
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I want to raise something I noticed last week. The National Ambulance Service was in before health committee last week to take questions. Its representatives stated, and it was reported in TheJournal.ie, that the service would be interested in having doctors going out with its crews. I found it quite amusing, considering there is a charity that works under the National Ambulance Service called CRITICAL which practises this. It has doctors on its books. The only difference is CRITICAL personnel are volunteers so they do not get paid, whereas the National Ambulance Service would pay doctors if it was to bring them out. The service is speaking about going to Scotland to look at best practices, which I find quite unusual considering we have the practice on this island already.

I ask for a debate in the House on the services provided in this country, including charity services, which are run by volunteers and need to be recognised for the work they do and what they supply to our communities. I could not name all the counties but CRITICAL is in counties Limerick, Cork, Galway and Donegal, and there is a big base in Dublin. It trains volunteers and supplies go bags and vehicles to volunteers so they can respond to calls the National Ambulance Service cannot get to, whether because it does not have enough staff on the ground or there is an overflow. It would be nice to have a debate in the House and recognise the services that play a role in this area.

Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael)
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I follow on from colleagues who have spoken on the motion of confidence in the Tánaiste, Deputy Simon Harris, in the Dáil today. This is clearly a populist move at a time when a presidential election is happening and there is only one candidate from the Government side - from Fine Gael - running in the election. This is being used to try to attack Heather Humphrey's campaign and the Tánaiste and leader of Fine Gael.

It comes from a person who has very little credibility in this. He was out in the past week or so saying he is not even going to vote in the election. This is a person who talks of defending democracy, yet he is not using the right our predecessors and founders fought for, which is to vote in an election. Irrespective of your views on people running, the very least elected representatives could be doing is voting when there is a vote on.

We all know this is a populist move. The Tánaiste has worked incredibly hard in recent months as Tánaiste and Minister for foreign affairs, particularly on trade negotiations with the US and trying to get certainty on that. I have no doubt in the two-hour debate that will happen at 1 p.m., the Tánaiste and his colleagues in government will be well able to defend their record over the last number of months of this term.

We have a busy four years ahead as a State. Much work needs to be done. A programme for Government has been agreed which is ambitious and needs to be delivered, instead of wasting two hours of Dáil time on a motion which is totally political and is hypocritical in the sense that the Dáil spent three or four months debating the lack of speaking time and opportunity to speak. Now the Dáil will waste another two hours on a motion that the dogs in the street know is just a political move.

Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)
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I, too, echo colleague's sentiments and unwavering support for the Tánaiste, Deputy Simon Harris. I also echo my colleagues who have called this out for what it is and pointed out the Tánaiste is upstanding and hard-working, and has delivered in every role he has ever taken on.

Today is SUDEP Action Day - sudden unexpected deaths in epilepsy day. SUDEP is one of the most devastating aspects of epilepsy. Thanks to research supported by Epilepsy Ireland, we know 33 people die of this in Ireland each year. When other epilepsy-related causes, such as prolonged seizures, injuries and drownings, are included, that number could rise to around 100 deaths annually. Behind each of those is a person, family and community changed forever.

Far too often, families tell us the first time they hear the term SUDEP is when they see it on a loved one's death certificate. That cannot continue. While the exact cause of SUDEP is not fully understood, research shows uncontrolled seizures, not taking prescribed medication and alcohol or substance misuse can increase the risk. That means awareness, education and support can and will save lives. Today I would like to remember all the people who have died of this and join Epilepsy Ireland in calling for a debate on the urgent implementation of a national strategy to reduce epilepsy-related deaths in Ireland.

Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)
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I commend Deputy Charles Ward, who brought a Private Members' motion before the Dáil today, the 100% Redress councillors and my Aontú colleague Ms Mary T. Sweeney on their tireless work on the defective concrete blocks issue. This crisis is a slow-motion earthquake. We see homes slowly crumbling across Donegal and far beyond, and I have no doubt it will stretch more over the country in the next few years. If this disaster were happening anywhere else, the Government would have declared a national emergency. Instead, Irish families have been abandoned in their own country.

The Government still clings to the so-called mica freeze-thaw theory. The truth now confirmed by experts is that sulphite-bearing aggregates are the real cause, yet regulations still have not changed. Quarries remain self-regulated, meaning defective materials can still be produced today. Homeowners are being charged €600 to €1,000 for building condition assessments and they simply cannot afford this in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis.

I have seen homes where every wall is covered in mould, children suffer constant respiratory infections and families are trapped in unsafe conditions with nowhere to go. During Storm Amy, Donegal had a status red wind warning in place. Imagine trying to take shelter in a house that is held up by blocks that you could put your fist through. With every storm, these houses weaken. What happens to families when their homes totally collapse? There is no plan for rehousing and no emergency accommodation. Families in north Leinster received full redress under the pyrite scheme. The families in Donegal deserve nothing less. This is a humanitarian disaster and needs to be declared as a national emergency. The damage threshold must be scrapped. The only real solution is a State-led demolition and rebuild programme, strict independent regulation of quarries and emergency accommodation for people affected.

I agree with Senator Linda Nelson Murray: we need to get on with the work of these Houses. We have been distracted and there have been a lot of deflections over the past few months to things that do not affect our own people. We need to fight for the people in our own country who are struggling. I look forward to seeing statements in the future for the people of Donegal on the defective blocks situation.

Joe Conway (Independent)
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I add my voice to that of Senator Craughwell earlier when he asked the Leader - I am asking this as well - that we request the Minister for Defence to come into the House and give us a decent debate on the defence budget, as exposed last week, and on our defence of our sovereign nation, given our non-aligned status.

An príomhphointe atá á dhéanamh agam ar maidin ná tagairt a dhéanamh don mbriseadh a tugadh sa bhuiséad an tseachtain seo caite d'óstlanna agus do bhialanna. I refer to the amount of money that was set aside as a tax break or otherwise for the hospitality sector, the close to €700 million a year in one year. It is strange to see this come in because wages in the hospitality sector are rising and so is employment. A Big Mac in Waterford at Christmas in 2022 would have cost €4.30 and a Big Mac meal would have cost €7.20. This month, which is less than three years later, that Big Mac will cost €7 in Waterford and the meal will cost €10.90, a 60% increase in less than three years. In the Tower Hotel at Christmas in 2022, you would have paid €5.50 for a pint of Guinness. That is now €6.20, a 30% increase and well ahead of the rate of inflation.

There is talk about Simon Harris morning. Simon Harris and the Government got it seriously wrong in giving this break to the hospitality sector. A sum of €700 million in a year would have given two winter fuel rebates to poor households next winter. To my mind, going for a pint or eating in a restaurant is the comfortable choice of the comfortably off, and people who are suffering fuel poverty do not have that choice. This was a bad call from the Tánaiste and a bad call from the Government.

Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)
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I wish to raise an issue of serious concern to residents in County Mayo, in particular in the Lacken and Ballycastle area. It relates to a proposed wind farm development. In Mayo, we have seen a lot of investment in wind energy and turbines. It is something I support in a structured and considered way. The challenge we have at the moment, however, is that we do not have a clear wind energy strategy published by Mayo County Council. leading to a less considered and strategic approach to different developments. There is a proposal being made by Constant Energy to create a wind farm development of 16 turbines in Tirawley. It has gone to An Coimisiún Pleanála for 16 turbines. It is in a special area of conservation with incredible neolithic history and it interacts with the Céide Fields system. It is a neolithic site. I ask that we have proper and clear guidelines for these proposed wind farm developments. This is a community where they have had challenges trying to get planning permission for houses for people from the area living in the area, yet now there is a proposal going into An Coimisiún Pleanála for 16 turbines. For them, it is totally unpalatable and unacceptable. I highlight the need for Mayo County Council to publish the wind energy strategy and to protect areas like Lacken and Ballycastle to make sure that the areas of scenic beauty, which are world famous, are protected, that the ecological system and the neolithic heritage of the site are protected, and that we have clarity for communities like those in Lacken and Ballycastle. I thank Councillor Jarlath Munnelly, with whom I am working and liaising on this to make sure that the residents and the community are heard and that there is a clear strategy by Mayo County Council to end the vacuum of decision-making and certainty for communities.

Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)
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I rise to speak about the Defamation Bill currently before the House. I think it is our final opportunity to deliver a defamation Act that protects the right of ordinary citizens and small business owners across Ireland. For too long, our defamation laws have enabled a culture of vexatious litigation whereby retailers, forecourt operators and restaurateurs are targeted not for wrongdoing but for profit. The statistics show that Ireland has 18 times the number of defamation cases per capita of our nearest neighbours, England and Wales. That is indefensible. The vast majority of defamation litigation in this country is not against the media but against small retailers, forecourt operators, restaurants and bars. Nowhere else in Europe can someone sue for being asked to show proof of purchase, that is, their receipt. We need to move away from that type of nonsense. The legal lobby claims that a harm test would deny access to justice. However, it has been stated in this House that that would actually not be the case and that such a test would in effect restore justice. It would mean nobody would be immune from civil prosecution but no one should be sued for doing no wrong.

As we debate the Defamation Bill this afternoon, we need to address this in the legislation. Ireland's small businesses deserve better than this.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I thank all Senators for their contributions, starting with Senator O'Loughlin, who raised baby loss awareness and the great work of Féileacáin. I concur with her comments. Féileacáin should be supported at every opportunity.

Senator O'Loughlin also raised an issue about a local library and complaints from people in relation to the use of space for people with disabilities. It is a worrying development. I hope that a resolution can be found and that the adults and children who were using those services find an alternative space, if that is needed.That is to be decided by the powers that be within the local authorities and the users.

Senator Nelson Murray raised the issue of critical blood supply. I commend the Senator for being a blood donor and volunteer. It is a very important role. I am not sure if everyone here or anywhere else actually knows what blood type they might be. That would be a good start in relation to this. There may be reasons people cannot give blood and we have to respect that but the Senator raised valid points in relation to the average age and the maximum age and whether changes could be made there. If the Senator puts it down for a Commencement debate she might get a more direct response on the matter. It certainly is a very worthy issue. The Senator also raised the issue of the confidence motion in the Tánaiste. As the Minister for Defence and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade he has a very busy role with the two Ministries, as well as leading the party and everything else. There is a lot of foreign travel involved. I think he is doing an exceptional job in leading those Departments and in his role as Tánaiste. It is a very busy role. Obviously there will be a motion before the House, which will be done-----

Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)
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I do not think-----

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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The Leader without interruption.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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As I understand it there will be a motion at 1 p.m.

Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)
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It has not-----

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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It will be up to the other House to decide in relation to that. There will obviously be a thorough debate over the course of two hours on that. From experience at Cabinet and knowing other Ministers who have gone through this, it is a personal strain on them but it is part of the democratic process as well and we respect that.

Senators Craughwell and Joe Conway raised the issue of defence spending and the €1.49 billion being spent on defence. They called for a debate with the Minister, Deputy Harris. I will request that debate. Senator Craughwell also raised the issue of the motion last week in relation to head and neck cancers and his personal experience with his daughter Rebecca. I wish her well in continuously living with the issues that have occurred with her.

Senator Andrews raised the Pearse House redevelopment. I am not sure if the Senator got an opportunity to put down a Commencement debate on this matter for a more direct response. Obviously, that would be an issue for Dublin City Council and the Department of housing. The Senator mentioned the preservation order and the lack of additionality. If there are issues, as the Senator said, in relation to mould and so on then in my view that would certainly be a strong enough case for redevelopment. I urge the Senator to take this up directly with the Department via a Commencement debate.

Senator Cosgrove raised the case of a young girl with Down's syndrome, a very special girl, who died from sepsis. I listened to the interview with her mother, Claire Colum, yesterday on "Today with Claire Byrne". It was very moving and she is a very brave person in raising the issue and making other parents aware of sepsis. A younger child, and in this case a child with Down's syndrome, may not be able to explain what is going on or how they are feeling as easily as other children would. It is a very worthy issue. Ms Colum is looking for additional training for staff and is advocating for that.

Senators Paul Daly and Evanne Ní Chuilinn spoke on Ann Woodlock and her gold medal. I wish her well on that. She certainly sounds like a wonderful lady. Senator Daly has also called for a debate with the Minister for sport on the use of drugs and the enhanced games. He mentioned the much-reported case of Shane Ryan. I am not here to defend that case. All athletes who from a young age pursue a sport, be it track and field, swimming or whatever, put their bodies through a huge amount of physical work, with early starts, diet, weight training and everything else. They should be rewarded. In this case, decisions may have been made for financial reasons and that is a matter for that person. I certainly hope that, whatever happens, his health is not impacted going forward.

Senator Ní Chuilinn also raised the motion of confidence, and she told us the good news about the Loreto Centre, with the allocation of €65,000 in funding. I know the Senator will continue her advocacy in respect of the centre because it sounds like it is not a foregone conclusion that it will continue. That advocacy is needed to ensure the valuable work the centre does will continue.

Senator Boyhan raised the issue of the hunger strike by those who were in residential care. The Senator has called on all of us to continue to highlight that, which I am sure we will. He called for the necessary issues in relation to medical cards or pension recognition payments to be addressed. I will certainly continue to do that. Senator O'Reilly also raised the issue recently.

Senator Brady raised the price war in supermarkets in relation to milk. We know how hard farmers have to work and particularly the liquid milk producers throughout the winter. It is a high-cost business. Using milk as a sort of a loss leader has a direct impact on the suppliers and it devalues the very valuable product our farmers work so hard at. I certainly hope they can come to sense on that matter. I know the Senator will continue to pursue that and keep an eye on those supermarkets in the coming weeks.

Senator O'Donovan raised the motion of confidence and called for the Minister to come to the House regarding infrastructure and Uisce Éireann. A lot of work is being done by Uisce Éireann but certainly there are a lot of plans needed as well as a lot of reinvestment. There is a lot of investment in water and wastewater, which is absolutely vital for house construction and compliance with EPA guidelines. I will certainly request a debate on that with the Minister for housing.

Senator Collins raised the issue of the National Ambulance Service and talked of best practice. The Senator spoke about the charity called CRITICAL and the work it does in bringing in doctors and training volunteers. I will certainly raise that with the Minister for Health. There has been investment in the ambulance service over the years but there are low response times in certain parts of the country. Unfortunately we will always hear of cases where somebody has had to wait an inordinately long period of time. I will request a debate on the National Ambulance Service.

Senator Ahearn raised the issue of the motion of confidence, as did Senator Scahill. Senator Scahill also raised the matter of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, SUDEP. It is worth raising notice on that and providing coverage on it. The Senator said there is a need for a national strategy. Perhaps the Senator will table the matter for a Commencement debate. It is important that we, and particularly those who suffer from epilepsy and have survived serious issues, continue to advocate, as they do, and raise awareness in relation to the particulars of epilepsy.

Senator Sarah O'Reilly raised the issue of the Private Member's motion on defective concrete blocks brought forward by Deputy Charles Ward in the Dáil today. There is a debate going on and I am not sure what the outcome of that will be. I am not sure of the exact wording of that. Changes were made to that scheme over the years to make it more applicable to the rising costs. There was an increase of 10% last October to the values in the scheme and the cap was increased to €462,000. The ancillary grants and the square footage grant were increased as well. Certainly it is an issue that continues to impact on people's lives. The Senator mentioned the fact that, as well as a person's house crumbling, there may be storms raging outside. There is a real life issue and I certainly hope there is continued drawdown of the grants that have been made available and the financial resources that have been put into this. The work is ongoing across Donegal and other areas.

Senator Joe Conway expressed concern over the 9% VAT rate proposals. The Minister, Deputy Burke, was here yesterday. I am not sure if the Senator got an opportunity to raise this with him directly. A decision was made within the Government on this. There are many small retailers and small businesses that are being put to the pin of their collar in relation to rising costs. We all support that staff should be paid the minimum wage. The report suggested, or recommended, an increase in the minimum wage this year. There are also increased insurance, energy and food costs that all impact on small businesses' ability to keep their doors open and to assist in the bottom line.

The winter fuel payment has been continued and it has been enhanced this year to include a new cohort. There is an increase in the pension, along with the VAT reduction for gas and electricity being maintained for the next five years, which is important for older citizens.

Senator Duffy raised the issue of wind turbine development and called for wind farm guidelines. This has been requested for a long number of years and it has not been forthcoming. I advise the Senator to put it down for a Commencement debate with the Department of the environment. It has been going on for ten years and the issue at stake is the need for a national strategy.

Senator McCarthy raised the Defamation (Amendment) Bill. This is ongoing in the House. The next substantial piece of business will be on the Bill. It might be in order to raise the matters to which he referred directly with the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan. He has been very generous with his time and has been here on all occasions when the Bill has been discussed.We have three hours scheduled for that important Bill today.