Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on energy security, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to conclude at 2.30 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 eight minutes each, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes each, and the Minister to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; No. 2, statements on public procurement, to be taken at 2 p.m. and to conclude at 3.15 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed eight minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes each, all other Senators not to exceed two minutes each and time came be shared, and the Minister to be given no less than seven minutes to reply to the debate; No. 56, motion 1, Private Members' business, a motion regarding a wildlife rehabilitation support scheme, to be taken at 3.30 p.m., with the time allocated to this debate not to exceed two hours; and No. 56, motion 2, Private Members' business, motion regarding the annual progress report and Government response to energy price pressures, to be taken at 5.30 p.m., with the time allocated to this debate not to exceed two hours.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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I was at a very positive event last Friday in south Kildare that the Tánaiste, Deputy Harris, attended, and he was very welcome. Ballymore Eustace was proclaimed as the first age-friendly and climate-friendly town in the country at the event. Ballymore Eustace was chosen mainly because of its wonderful community spirit and because so many people are actively involved in the community. It was also chosen because among its 1,700 residents, it has the highest age range within the county. We had a wonderful event organised by Ms Carmel Cashin from Kildare County Council. Mr. Stephen Deegan, Ms Janet Deegan and Mr. Tommy Deegan from the Tidy Towns are all related and did a wonderful job getting the town ready for this. A beautiful sculpture by Beth Murphy was unveiled and the sun came out. It really was a heavenly day. Every day in Ballymore Eustace is really good.

However, it struck me as slightly ironic that the town was awarded this status and this celebration for being very age-friendly and yet it has a complete lack of GP services. I tabled a Commencement matter on this about six months ago. Essentially, there is a clinic but there is no GP service. There is a GP from Blessington, who is assigned to the clinic and is an excellent GP according to people who go to the clinic.

While clinics run from the Blessington clinic were meant to be held in Ballymore Eustace, these have ceased. People are now forced to go to Blessington for that service. We are talking about older people who may not have access to private transport and who may find it difficult to use an irregular bus service. These people need to be better served. There is another practice willing to take over the clinic in Ballymore Eustace to ensure that there are clinics up to three times a week in the town. I have brought this up several times but nothing has changed. It really needs to and that is why I have brought it up in this House again.

I also want to again bring up the issue of illegal encampments on the Curragh, which I have raised a number of times. The Curragh is an absolute jewel. It is a place that people in the area like to access, particularly in this nice weather. We have golf courses, horse racing, the Army and sheep farmers but, unfortunately, at the start of summer every year, we have illegal encampments. Millions of euro have been spent on gathering the waste afterwards. There has been antisocial behaviour. Greens in Cill Dara Golf Club have been damaged. This is not the first time I have raised this issue. A court order was given on 9 April 2026, and it is good to see that sort of action being taken but we need to have a permanent solution. I and other representatives from County Kildare do not need to be standing up and talking about this year after year. I seek a debate with the Minister for Defence, Deputy McEntee, in relation to the Curragh. A plan with very strong recommendations was put in place and nothing has happened or is happening at a snail's pace. I wrote to the Minister, Deputy McEntee, directly, but I want a debate in this House in relation to this issue.

Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)
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I want to first welcome Gavin Brennan Morrow to the House. He is an intern with me and is a student in St. Muredach's College, my former secondary school. He is also a great active musician and a member of the community in Ballina. I welcome him to Seanad Éireann this morning and thank him for his assistance throughout the day.

I also want to wish the best of luck to St. Joseph's Secondary School, Foxford. It is in the FAI schools national U15 B cup final against Coláiste na Sceilge, Cahersiveen, in Limerick this afternoon. I wish the team well.

Last week, I raised the levy on independent local radio stations that has been initiated by Coimisiún na Meán. It is totally outrageous, and something needs to be done about it. I totally respect that we must have independence in the media but Coimisiún na Meán cannot be a law unto itself. It was formed out of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, which had 40 staff in 2020. Coimisiún na Meán now has a staff of over 220 and it is the local radio stations that are having to pay to be regulated further by it. It is totally outrageous.

The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Deputy O'Donovan, says that he cannot intervene, and we must respect the delineation of powers and the commission's independence. However, it cannot go off and be a law unto itself. Was this levy adequately and properly discussed by the Oireachtas media committee? There needs to be some sort of formal process in place. Coimisiún na Meán cannot continue to grow its staff by the hundredfold and then start levying independent broadcasters.The reason they have increased their staff levels is to regulate further online media through social media platforms platforms, so why are independent broadcasters, which are the life and soul of local communities, which are there in times of emergencies such as storms, which are the beating heart of local sports and cultural events and which are under a lot of pressure because of challenges facing the sector ironically because of social media, being levied with 39% increases? This will be detrimental to some of these local media organisations.

I ask for support from right across the House on this because it is totally unfair that this has been levied upon broadcasters. We need a debate on this and I call for the Minister to come to the House to discuss it further because it is totally unfair. What will happen if the commission wants to increase the levy by 100% or 200%? Will we just wash our hands and say it has nothing to do with us because the commission is totally independent? Where will it stop if the commission wants to increase its staff? It began with 40%. What if it wants to increase it to 1,000%? Where does it stop? Where is the intervention from across the House? I would like to think that there is support from all sides on this. It is sensitive because it is important that there be separation but there needs to be intervention on it and I ask for the Leader's support on it

Tom Clonan (Independent)
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I welcome all our guests. I want to talk about aluminium. According to West Point and the institute for advanced studies, aluminium is the foundational metal of war and we are exporting almost 1 million tonnes of it to Russia. A total of 826,000 tonnes of alumina are being exported to Russia and we are the largest exporter to Russia. Since the war started in Ukraine - Putin's criminal enterprise and his unparalleled savagery and brutality in Ukraine - the increase has grown from 23%. A total of 68% of all alumina exports from Limerick are now going to Russia and are being sent to the RUSAL smelter in Krasnoyarsk, where they are manufacturing high-quality aluminium bars for the production of Shahed drones and other munitions missiles such as hypersonic missiles. The aluminium being supplied by Ireland is providing the propulsion systems, the delivery systems and parts of the projectiles that are killing hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian men, women and now civilians. This week, the Government announced that Ukrainians in Ireland who want to maintain their refugee status will have to show evidence of being self-supporting. Well, maybe they could go and work in the Aughinish Alumina plant and help to produce the ingredients for the very weapons that are destroying their country.

There is an account on X called Dan the Shadow Tanker Bonker. He is a concerned citizen who sets out in forensic detail the number of vessels - the shadow fleet, if you like - coming from Latvia, Lithuania and elsewhere and supplying this vital ingredient, this foundational metal of war, to the Russians. Where are we on this? It is a completely contradictory position to say, on the one hand, that we support Ukraine and at the same time facilitate the export of almost 1 billion tonnes of of a vital component for Russia's weapon systems.

I also want to talk about cluster munitions. The Guardian has reported that cluster munitions are being used in south Lebanon by the Israelis in Wadi Zibqin, Wadi Baruz and Wadi Deir Siryan, which are very close to where Irish troops are. Speaking of Limerick, the 128th Battalion comprising 300 or more of our young men and women is heading out to Lebanon for the final deployment to UNIFIL and Ireland is facilitating the transit of those very cluster munitions through our airspace out to Lebanon, where they could potentially injure or kill our troops. What other country in the EU would facilitate the onward transmission of weapons systems through its air domain to harm its own troops? Both in the maritime domain, therefore, with the export of this vital component for Russia's weapons systems, and in the air domain, with the transiting of weapons that could be used against our own troops, a complete lack of situational awareness around military defence and security is being shown on the part of the Irish Government. The Oireachtas Committee on Defence and National Security is not allowed to ask these questions. I am blue in the face asking for a debate. Can we bring in the Minister for Defence to explain why we as a security committee cannot ask the questions that need to be asked? This country is completely at sea when it comes to defence and security and the Government wants to get rid of the triple lock in the middle of this mess. We really need to have that debate and I hope the Leader can facilitate it with the Minister for Defence.

Joanne Collins (Sinn Fein)
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I want to raise the issue of car insurance. We have brought up lots of different insurance issues in this House and I know there was a briefing yesterday in the audiovisual room, which I missed, but I am well aware of the issues involving motor insurance. In many of our towns and villages in rural Ireland, having a car is not a luxury; it is essential. To take children to school, to get to appointments and to get to work, a person needs to have a car and has to drive. The fact that insurance costs are going up seems to be disproportionately unfair on people in rural Ireland.

My own car insurance was up for renewal this month. Luckily, I have a broker and got a letter last month saying my car insurance this year was going to be €550. I said "not a chance", considering that last year I paid €450, so I went online, shopped around and got it down to €420. However, the day and the month got away from me and I completely forgot to take it at the lower price. When I checked online again the day before the deadline, the lowest price I could get was €890. It just goes to show that there was an option to get it cheaper but when they knew I was desperate to get my car insurance by the following day, the price jumped. That is not fair. There is definitely something wrong with the system and it needs to be sorted. Luckily, I had the back-up of my broker, so I could ring up and say, "Oh yeah, I'll take that insurance premium", but I had to pay €100 more than I paid last year, with no claims on my insurance policy.

Claims have gone down, the laws are in place and the payouts are smaller, so why is the cost of insurance policies increasing every single year? My party colleague Deputy Doherty submitted a Bill last year that was shot down. We need reform of insurance companies. We need to see exactly what their profits are and we need to see their rationale for what premium goes. My own broker told me that for someone living at one end of the village of Athea, it could be €400 while for someone living at the other end, which is only probably a quarter of a mile away, it could be €800. Where do they get the rationale for these premiums? It is quite unfair to see the costs going up by so much and the payouts going down when we are not seeing the benefit. We need to have a debate in the House to see whether we can get to the bottom of why these insurance companies are not being held to account.

Patricia Stephenson (Social Democrats)
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Some desperately needed medications are currently not available under the drugs repayment scheme. I have been contacted about two drugs in particular - Ryeqo, a medication used in the post-operative treatment of women with severe endometriosis, and Skyclarys, a drug to slow the debilitating effects of the progressive life-shortening disease Friedreich's ataxia. I have contacted the Minister for Health about funding for both these drugs and all I get is a vague response saying that it under advisement and that the Government is looking into it, which ultimately feels like a "No". The process for the HSE to review these drugs is so long.

Ryeqo has already been refused for women experiencing moderate to severe uterine fibroids because it is not considered cost-effective. The Government is basically saying that helping people to reduce painful symptoms, ease heavy bleeding or slow the loss of their physical functions - basic things that prevent people from having a normal quality of life - does not offer value for money. For women suffering from severe endometriosis, Ryeqo is crucial for reducing their pain and slowing the growth of lesions. There has also been significant historical underfunding of endometriosis treatment and women's health in general so I really think we need to focus on this and redress it. Women who need Ryeqo must pay around €140 a month out of pocket on top of what they are already paying in astronomical rents, soaring energy prices, grocery bills or childcare costs because treating them publicly is not considered cost-effective.

What is the true cost of this disease when it is left untreated? A 2024 report from the UK estimates that the cost to the UK economy from people being off sick from work due to pain or heavy bleeding is about £11 million per year. The report also stated that if one extra pound per woman in England were invested in women's healthcare, it would generate £319 million for the state.It pays to invest in women's health.

Approximately 200 people in Ireland are living with the neurodegenerative disease Friedreich’s ataxia. Skyclarys is the only known drug approved for treatment of this illness. One of those people is Emily, a 28-year-old woman from Kilkenny who has been living with Friedreich's ataxia since she was 16. She has gone from a life of running and dancing to now being wheelchair bound. Skyclarys has been shown to markedly improve neurological function in those with the illness. Based in Ireland, Biogen Idec is the manufacturer of Skyclarys. The HSE is weighing up whether it is worth it to fund this treatment, which could greatly improve the life of Emily and other people who are suffering from this condition. If they do not receive it, they will progressively experience vision impairment, hearing loss, slurred speech, aggressive scoliosis, diabetes and serious heart conditions. Without State help, Skyclarys can cost families around €300,000 a year.

The national rare disease strategy, which was published recently, made a recommendation on access to orphan drugs for rare diseases and the importance of improving access to those drugs. I accept that we simply cannot continue to pay never-ending amounts to drug companies that are making significant profit off people's illnesses, but we do need improvements to how drug repayments are made, the timelines around them and the different criteria that are included. It cannot just be about the economic benefit in the moment or the cost; it needs to be about the wider economic benefit. It needs to include things about people's quality of life and the criteria need to be broadened. I would like us to have a debate about that so we can ensure every person in Ireland receives the life-changing medical treatment they need without major financial obstacles.

Linda Nelson Murray (Fine Gael)
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Today, I wish to talk about Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, and its continued future as one of the most important healthcare facilities in County Meath and the wider north east. It is important to mention this because so many people ask me if the hospital is going to close and what will happen to it. Despite ongoing debates, we are going to see continued investment in the hospital, which will only benefit patients and staff alike. Future capital investment for Navan hospital includes a new minor injuries unit and an upgrade to the hospital's power infrastructure. Since 2020, the number of staff has increased by 17.5% and in the same period the budget has increased by 51%. Under the acute hospital bed expansion plan, a total of 46 new and replacement beds will be in by 2031, although most are in now. These figures clearly indicate a strengthening of the hospital's operational capacity, and it is good to know that the HSE has put in place a detailed compliance plan addressing the risks identified by HIQA in 2024 and 2025. Improvements have been made in governance, management and clinical environments following inspection.

Only a few weeks ago, I had a fall at home and had to attend the minor injuries unit in the hospital. I have nothing but admiration and respect for all the staff there, including Dr. Jamal, for their efficiency and professionalism in looking after me at the time. I also have to mention the phenomenal new rheumatology extension, which has had a positive impact on outpatient clinics.

Recently, a meeting was held between the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, and senior HSE management. Discussion focused on the rising demand for services across Louth and Meath and the pressures on hospitals in the region. A further meeting is planned, which I am delighted to hear, and I am looking forward to the review on that. Navan hospital still treats a large portion of patients locally, particularly through medical assessment and injury services, and plays a vital role in reducing the pressure on Drogheda.

Navan hospital remains a crucial local healthcare facility. It provides local access to care but also has a dedicated workforce, increases in funding and staffing, ongoing infrastructure upgrades and planned expansion of bed capacity. However, although all that sounds great, Meath has a current population of 220,000 people, a 13% increase since 2016, making it one of the fastest growing counties in Ireland. The population is expected to go up to 240,000 people in the next two years and possibly to 270,000 people by 2040. Meath is heading towards having a 250,000 people very soon, so a strong, reliable hospital is an absolute must. With Meath's current population now larger than some Irish counties that have far better hospital infrastructure, now is the time to make sure this happens. It has the population of a city but the healthcare infrastructure of a small county, and that gap is no longer acceptable. I welcome everything the Minister is doing but I would also welcome a discussion on Navan hospital here in the Chamber when we can have one.

Sharon Keogan (Independent)
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I was originally intending to talk today about rural communities but I now find myself compelled to respond to the comments made by An Taoiseach yesterday where he confirmed his belief that children could be transgender. His belief is one matter. I will not spend time here going into the long list of objections raised by many medical and psychological professionals to the unthinking acceptance of children self-identifying their gender and the huge potential dangers this causes when it leads to medical intervention such as puberty blockers. I have made that case many times before in this Chamber.

What was particularly galling was the Taoiseach's assertion that we should not get into culture wars such as those in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. First, I absolutely object to the hand-waving on this issue as a culture war issue. It is not. It is a medical issue. It is an issue of child welfare and even scientific truth. It is one thing if we have raging debates over political correctness and over people being cancelled for offensive jokes, or about what is and is not acceptable in public discourse or media. That is all culture, and debating it is culture war. However, there is nothing merely cultural about young people who are suffering from infertility or osteoporosis, or having to live with the irreversible reality of sex-change surgeries. That is real, life-ruining medical damage. Would the Taoiseach call the scoliosis crisis a culture war issue? Of course not.

Second, the Taoiseach acts as if we are just now being dragged into a culture war, yet his party has uncritically backed puberty blockers for children, men in women's prisons and women's sports, and erasing women from the Constitution despite, as we saw in the referendums, huge opposition to these things. Far from avoiding a culture war, Ireland has been deeply engaged in one for years. The Taoiseach's Government, his party and his coalition party Fine Gael have been driving it for years. I ask the Leader to invite the Taoiseach to come in here and deal with that issue.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Before I call the next speaker, I welcome members of the Garda Síochána Retired Members' Association from Kildare South. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. I thank them for all their work in keeping us safe down through the years and I hope they enjoy their time in Leinster House.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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Information released under a freedom of information request shows that Dublin City Council ran up a bill of €11,400 at a hotel on the French Riviera for its officials. On a separate trip to California, the accommodation cost was just under €11,000, with the Lord Mayor's flight costing almost €6,000 and that of Dublin City Council's chief executive costing over €4,000. That is indefensible. It is scandalous that top Dublin City Council figures are flying business class and staying in luxury hotels while at the same time Dublin City Council is imposing a rent increase on council tenants. That will have a huge impact on tenants across the city who are already struggling with the cost of living and have this massive rent increase coming down the road. It is a complete insult to working people that public money is being used in this way, particularly at a time when people are at the pin of their collar with the cost-of-living crisis. People will just not be able to afford to pay the increased rent. It will have a devastating impact on individuals and families.

Likewise, it has recently been announced that Dublin City Council plans to spend €10 million on renovations of its Wood Quay offices, the same offices it plans to demolish in a few years when it completes its new offices in Camden Yard at a cost of nearly €600 million. Dublin City Council seemingly has an endless supply of money for its own offices but when it comes to housing maintenance and community services, the purse seems to run out. The money is there; it is how it is spent. Government and Dublin City Council are choosing to spend it on extravagance and wasteful developments and are leaving tenants and residents in public housing to struggle with shockingly poor, substandard conditions to live in. Council tenants are being squeezed dry with rent increases on the basis that this revenue, raised from those who are struggling the most, is needed to fund the basic services, yet an unprecedented level of funding is available for its Civic Offices. To me, that points to a deeper issue around the prioritisation of funding by Dublin City Council. I urge the Minister, Deputy Browne, to come before the Seanad to debate the Department's approach to funding allocations at a local authority level.

Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)
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I commend my colleague Senator Stephenson on her initiative to provide three months' free transport for victims of domestic abuse. I also commend the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Dara Calleary, on co-operating with her on that initiative.I will mention the matter of public concern, the health concern, that was raised over the weekend regarding synthetic cannabis. A number of psychiatrists from Cork, Dublin and Galway wrote to The Irish Timesand they are calling on the Government to act on the continued availability of HHC products, or synthetic cannabinoids, that are designed to mimic the effects of cannabis. Despite HHC being classified as an illegal substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act, the ban definitely is not working. The report they presented shows that in psychiatric wards and in psychosis clinics there is a lot linked to HHC and HHC-like products. The reason is that suppliers have simply changed the man-made cannabinoids to ones with virtually identical properties, which fall outside the specific ban.

The human cost, as I know through people accessing Tiglin services etc., is real. A 2025 study in Galway found HHC was the second most commonly used drug among people presenting to hospital with psychosis over a 21-month period. Psychiatrists are not calling for new legislation; they are just saying we could use the present law in a smarter way.

I ask that the Minister for Health come into the House to address this at the earliest opportunity and outline what steps the Government is taking to tackle what is happening in our accident and emergency, and specifically how that applies to existing psychoactive substances and how the legislation applies to these products. I think it is causing very real harm to younger people.

Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)
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I will raise the issue of water safety. We are coming to that time of year when we want the public using all our amenities, our coast and all our lakes, but there is an awareness issue in terms of water safety. There have been 16 drownings in Ireland already this year. Between 2018 and 2022 there was an average of 116 drownings per year. During the previous five-year period, between 2013 and 2017, there were 132 drownings per year. There is a massive issue in terms of people's self-awareness and the awareness of the dangers of our waterways. We need a discussion in this House on water safety, on what more can potentially be done on the education side of things and what more we can do with students in schools, but also in terms of more opportunities for training people up in life-saving and lifeguarding skills.

I looked at figures. Last year, 316 rescues were recorded by lifeguards in this country. The year before that, in 2024, 2,002 rescues were recorded, so the instances are increasing year by year. Young people now are getting a little braver. They are taking potentially more chances and do not have a full awareness of some of the conditions they are experiencing out there. It would be very worthwhile and very timely to have that discussion in this House. I think it is the weekend of 22 May, which is Whit weekend, which the Leader will be familiar with. Traditionally, we were all encouraged not to swim in Ireland until after Whit weekend for safety reasons. I would welcome a discussion on this before then.

Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I again highlight the fact that at the moment if you live in south Wexford, be it in Rosslare, Wexford town or Enniscorthy, it is not possible to get an early morning train to Dublin that will have you in Dublin Connolly before 8.48 a.m., while if you live further north, such as in Gorey, you can arrive at 7.48 a.m. That hour difference is having a real and direct impact on the ability of commuters from south Wexford to access rail transport to Dublin and work and utilise the service in Dublin. I again call on the Minister for Transport to come into this Chamber for a proper, real discussion on the future infrastructure needs of rail lines, particularly, from my perspective, on the Wexford to Dublin line. The 5.45 a.m. train from Gorey puts you in Dublin Connolly at 7.48, while the earliest service from Wexford town is the 5.59 a.m. train and from Enniscorthy is the 6.20 a.m. train. There is an opportunity, with the investment the Government is putting into rail transport, to allow for an early morning commuter train from south Wexford to Dublin. We should have that debate in this Chamber.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I thank all Senators for their contributions this morning, starting with Senator O'Loughlin, who commended all in Ballymore Eustace on it becoming the first age- and climate-friendly town in Ireland. A celebration there was attended by An Tánaiste, the Senator and others, including local dignitaries. The Senator talked of the high age range of the county and the lack of GP services. I know she has put down Commencement debates on that in the past. I will engage with the Minister directly to see if there is any update on that. The Senator also talked again about the illegal encampments on the Curragh, which she has taken a huge interest in, and on which she would like a debate with the Minister for Defence. I will request that, or she may wish to put down a Commencement debate on that if she has not put down one of late.

Senator Duffy spoke of the levy on independent and local radio stations by Coimisiún na Meán and stated that the commission is a law unto itself. Obviously, the Minister cannot intervene in terms of the independence of Coimisiún na Meán. It is part of the legislation and an intervention would possibly undermine the independence of the system. Certainly, however, the committee could bring Coimisiún na Meán in to discuss where this will end and what is proposed for next year. Is it another 39% increase? The Senator is right that that would be unsustainable into the future. Local radio stations have got assistance in one hand and are getting increases in their levies in the other hand, as are independent media. That is a real concern, obviously. At the first juncture, the committee itself could bring in Coimisiún na Meán just to discuss this. The Senator might contact his own colleagues as well on that committee to see whether they have plans to bring in Coimisiún na Meán to discuss the increase in the levy and what plans it has for the future. He is certainly right that it is worrying to see increases like that.

Senator Clonan expressed concern about aluminium exports from Aughinish Alumina to Russia and called for the Minister, Deputy McEntee, to come in on the matter. The Minister will come in next week, I believe, on international developments, so the Senator may wish to raise it at that juncture and I will alert her to that. We will try to get a debate on defence matters as well after that, but there will be an opportunity next Wednesday, I think, with the Minister, Deputy McEntee.

Senator Collins raised the issue of car insurance and highlighted her own personal case, which is very clear in relation to the issues there can be around premiums and premium renewals and how a day or two can make a huge difference. I will request a debate on insurance with the Minister of State, Deputy Troy.

Senator Stephenson raised a number of conditions and rare diseases, such as Friedreich's ataxia, as well as endometriosis and fibrosis. I will request a debate on the matter. I raised Skyclarys myself and its role in treating Friedreich's ataxia a number of weeks ago in a Commencement debate. There is a national rare disease strategy, an implementation oversight group and health technology assessments on these things. There is that balance between the absolute necessity to treat people and the overall costs and the buying power capabilities, in which the European Union could have a greater role. I know there were attempts to agree with some other countries, such as the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, in terms of buying power because, as a small country, we cannot compete with the likes of Germany in terms of the ability to work with drugs providers in getting the best deal possible. It is a real issue and I will certainly raise it with the Minister for Health.

Senator Nelson Murray raised the issue of Navan hospital and the investment in that hospital. It is quite clear it has an important and bright future within County Meath and the region. She called for a discussion on this. We will request a discussion in general on capital projects and health services. She may wish to raise a Commencement debate on the direct issues in terms of Navan itself. Senator Keogan invited the Taoiseach in to discuss transgender issues in children. I will certainly request that he come in to reply in regard to his comments, which the Senator raised. I will let her know what his or his office's response to that is.

Senator Andrews raised the issue of rents for tenants and the cost of flights for trips abroad. Trips abroad are hugely important for local authorities. I think every local authority is involved in a number of trips abroad with officials, cathaoirligh and mayors. They have an important role in developing business or tourist links. I am sure the Senator recognises the importance of that as well. I have suggested in the past that he put down a Commencement debate in relation to increases in rents in Dublin.

Senator McCarthy called for a debate with the Minister of Health on synthetic cannabis and its possible impact on psychosis. I will also request a debate with the Minister, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, though the Senator may wish to put down a Commencement debate in regard to synthetic cannabis.

Senator Scahill raised the issue of water safety and the public using amenities. So many people drown every year, including 16 people who have unfortunately lost their lives in drownings so far this year. Our thoughts go out to their families and friends after these traumatic incidents. The Senator talked of the need for a debate on the importance of self-awareness, education in schools and additional life-saving or lifeguarding skills. I will certainly request a debate on water safety with the Minister in charge of that as well.

Senator Cathal Byrne raised the need for additional early morning rail services from south Wexford. I certainly agree in regard to connectivity and taking cars off the roads. It is certainly very important. I will request a debate on rail services but the Senator may wish to put down a Commencement debate to get a more direct response in relation to services between south Wexford and Dublin.