Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on student accommodation and supports, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. and to conclude at 6.15 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, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; No. 2, International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill 2026 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 6.15 p.m.; and No. 3, Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (resumed). to be taken on the conclusion of No. 2 and to adjourn no later than 9 p.m. if not previously concluded.

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

Before I call the next speaker, I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery the Croatian ambassador to Ireland, who is here to celebrate Croatia's national day along with An Leas-Chathaoirleach and the newly appointed convener of the Ireland-Croatia Parliamentary Friendship Group. The ambassador is most welcome. I think he has been here nearly seven years at this stage. It is always a delight to meet him and to talk about the issues that join us together, such as the many Irish people who go on holidays in Croatia and the many people from Croatia - the number is nearly 17,000 - who work here in Ireland. This year marks the 35th anniversary of Croatia's declaration of independence from Yugoslavia, which was recognised by Ireland on 15 January 1992. We look forward to celebrating that anniversary next year. Obviously, we have shared history when it comes to fighting a much larger power to achieve our independence over many centuries. A history of emigration is something else that we tragically share, along with the desire to stay connected with our diaspora. I know the ambassador does that very well on behalf of his government and his people. We look forward to delegations coming over from the Croatian Parliament during our Presidency of the European Union and engaging with our convener Deputy Paul McAuliffe and others with regard to strengthening the bonds between Ireland and Croatia. In this month of May on the anniversary of Croatia's statehood, we wish Croatia a happy statehood day and thank its ambassador for being with us here today.

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

I start today by congratulating Deputy Kyne. It was a privilege to work with him as Leader of the Seanad. I have no doubt that I speak for all of the Senators across the House when I mention his sense of fairness to everybody. His office was always open, his phone was always ready to deal with an issue or a problem that anyone had, and he carried the role with great dignity. I wish him very well in his time back in the Dáil.

I wish to raise the wonderful campaign being carried out by Jordan and Cian Adams in raising awareness for frontotemporal dementia. Through their remarkable marathon challenge across Ireland, the brothers have raised really significant awareness as well as over €1 million for dementia research and support services after tragically losing their mum to the illness. I know that the campaign has resonated really strongly right across the country. Tomorrow, we are looking forward to welcoming Jordan and Cian in Kildare where we expect very large crowds to turn out to support them on the second last day of their journey through the country. The support that has been shown around the campaign really shows the strength and depth of compassion and solidarity that exists in Ireland for families affected by dementia. Unfortunately, both Jordan and Cian carry the inherited gene linked to the condition but they have transformed their huge personal tragedy into a campaign of hope, awareness and fundraising that has inspired so many. I would like to ask the Minister of State with responsibility for older people to come to the House to outline and debate what further investment and supports are being considered for dementia research, awareness campaigns and services for families living with neurological illnesses.I commend Dublin Bus on its recent Books on Board book club initiative aimed at encouraging reading among commuters. When people are spending long hours commuting every day, the joy of being able to pick up a book and leave back a book is really important. It helps make it a far more positive and engaging experience, while promoting Irish literature and providing books at a discounted price. It has been a positive initiative, and we would like to see more of it. I would also like the Acting Leader to ask the Minister for Education and Youth to outline how similar community-based initiatives can continue to be supported, including supporting young people reading at an early stage. There was a presentation in the audiovisual room approximately two or three weeks ago about the importance of reading and of libraries having new books. I hope that will be addressed in the budget. It is important that we ask the Minister to come in to look at these initiatives that promote reading across public transport and across the community.

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

I thank Seamy McDermott and Vinney Gillespie who are undertaking a cycle from Malin Head to Mizen Head. It is a more than 1,000 km challenge to raise money for the Irish Kidney Association, a cause close to both men’s hearts. I wish them the best of luck and hopefully the good weather stays with them.

I turn to a more serious issue that I and Senators across parties have raised here many times. It is givinostat for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, DMD. I was proud to stand with the people on the Diamond in Donegal. So many turned out on Sunday to support Aaron Langan. It was organised in four days and thousands of people turned out to support Aaron and the Langan family. It was a great event to be at. I give a big thanks to Onóir, the MC Noel Cunningham and all involved for their tremendous work in highlighting this serious issue. It is sad that families have to wait so long for this drug. At a meeting of the health committee last year, I was told it would be sorted before Christmas. Then I was told it would be sorted early in the new year. It is almost June now. This is unacceptable. We need to get this sorted as soon as possible for the children of Ireland. I understand the HSE received a proposal on 8 May from the company that supplies givinostat. Surely the HSE can put a plan in place to get givinostat for Aaron and these other children as soon as possible. The drug is available in England and Northern Ireland and is working well. It slows down the muscle loss. Would the people making this decision on givinostat take so long if it were their son or daughter? Time is muscle. I ask the Acting Leader, the Department and everybody to get behind this campaign. We need to support Aaron and the children of Ireland who have this disability. We have to get this sorted. They are depending on us as politicians to get this over the line. For Aaron and all the other people, we need to get this sorted as soon as possible.

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

I wish to speak to the recent acceptance of the credentials of the Iranian ambassador to Ireland, a decision that raised serious and deeply troubling questions. I believe we need to be clear about two things. First, this was not a ceremonial inevitability. Second, this was not the President's decision. While the President formally receives the letter of credence, the decision to allow that ceremony to proceed rests squarely with the Government, specifically the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade acting under the authority of the Minister.

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

Hear, hear.

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

This House must not allow any blurring of responsibility, something I feel the media latched onto as the Government hid behind the President's more outspoken views. The Executive made this decision, not the President. We must ask who made this call, and why now? This decision comes against the backdrop of ongoing repression in Iran, a regime accused of killing thousands of protesters and detaining tens of thousands more with credible reports of torture, rape and systemic brutality used to silence dissent. Whatever one may think of America's ongoing war with Iran, this does not change the fact that the current Iranian regime has the blood of its own citizens on its hands.At the very same time, across Europe, there have been serious discussions about designating an element of that state's apparatus, namely, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as a terrorist organisation due to its role in repression and destabilisation and, in some cases, it has been decided to do so. I ask again: what changed between the decision to postpone this accreditation earlier this year and the decision to now proceed? What assessment was carried out? What assurances, if any, were received? How does the Government reconcile this step with Ireland's stated commitment to human rights? Ireland has long prided itself on speaking with moral clarity on the world stage. Today, that clarity appears absent. The Government must come before this House to explain who authorised this decision, the rationale behind it and how it aligns with the values we claim to uphold.

Before I conclude, I wish to respectfully address remarks made last week when I blew out some of the candles on Fianna Fáil's 100th birthday cake. I appreciate that some colleagues defended their party in a measured and thoughtful way. That is always welcome. However, I noted a sharper tone from others. I must ask why they were shouting and raising their voices. What made them shout about what I said? By all means, let us have robust debate but challenge my viewpoints based on the arguments I have actually made.

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

I welcome visitors from the school of law in Duquesne University, Pittsburgh. They are guests of Senator Frances Black and the chief translator, Vivian Uíbh Eachach. I thank them for coming. If they find any flaws in our processes, I ask them to point them out.

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

Do they get homework off?

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

Ar dtús, déanaim comhghairdeas leis an mbeirt Teachtaí nua, an iarSheanadóir, Seán Kyne, agus Daniel Ennis. Today, I will raise the issue of the autism protocol brought to Cabinet by the Ministers for disability and Health this morning. As a member of the Joint Committee on Autism of the previous Dáil and a member of the all-party parliamentary group on autism, I want more clarity on what exactly this protocol is. It is to be launched today with the HSE. It is a new autism assessment process for children and adults. I welcome anything that will address the significant backlog in assessments of need for children. We are approaching 22,000 at the moment. There is currently no method for adults to be assessed publicly so I also welcome that. However, on reading up about it, I have come across conflicting evidence. In one place, it is stated, "This will replace the current AON process" but, in another, it is stated, "Importantly, these changes will not remove any rights for parents to apply for an Assessment of Need for their child, nor will they alter the statutory sixmonth timeline set out in the Disability Act." How do those two statements marry together?

It is also stated, "Assessment officers will be supported by eleven new teams" throughout the country with each team having four members. There is going to be a psychologist, a speech and language therapist, an occupational therapist and an administrator. At the moment, CDNTs and primary care teams are under extreme pressure to find psychologists, speech and language therapist and occupational therapists so from where will these positions be filled? Are we going to take from existing teams to fill these positions? The problem with the current teams and the primary care teams is that there are not sufficient numbers of staff to deal with the level of demand. We are seeing more and more children waiting for assessments or for services because of this lack of staff. A few years ago, the early intervention teams and the child development teams were replaced by the CDNTs and that ended up with children being missed, falling through the cracks and not being on any list for services.

There is also reference to "The introduction of an additional management grade overseeing Assessments of need". The last thing we need is more bureaucracy and more managers within the HSE. We need front-line staff within these teams and within our acute hospitals. We do not need more managerial grades. I want to ensure these teams will work to address the backlog because, while I read that "Children do not need an Assessment of Need report to get access to services", I find that children are not getting services without one. They are not getting into special schools or special classes without an assessment of need.How will all of this be addressed? Even those children who have the assessment of need carried out are not getting the services. I would welcome a more in-depth discussion on the protocol.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I also offer my best wishes to Deputies Seán Kyne and Daniel Ennis, both having been elected to the Dáil. I give a big shout-out to Jordan and Cian Adams, the FTD Brothers. Jordan and Cian carry the frontotemporal dementia gene. They inherited the gene from their mother, Geraldine, who sadly died at the very young age of just 52. Jordan and Cian have been running marathons in every county. They are coming to Dublin and will arrive on 28 May. The work they are doing to raise awareness of dementia is tremendous. More than 60,000 people live with dementia in Ireland and more than 180,000 people care for people with dementia. They have raised in excess of €1 million already and people can continue to support them at the FTD Brothers' GoFundMe page. Most importantly, I ask people to come out and give them a warm Dublin welcome on Thursday. I have been in contact with the Lord Mayor, Ray McAdam, who has assured me that the city council will do their best for the lads. They deserve a huge bualadh bos and I send them my best wishes. Well done.

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

I welcome the ambassador from Georgia, H.E. Sophie Katsarava. She is most welcome to Seanad Éireann. She is a guest of Senator Diarmuid Wilson. Georgia and Ireland have a great friendship, and have had many a contest on the soccer field. We thank the ambassador for coming today and for her friendship. I thank Senator Wilson for bringing the ambassador to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery and for being here today.

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

I wish to be associated with the congratulations to Deputies Seán Kyne and Daniel Ennis.

I will highlight the issue of access to education for people with disabilities. We have a focus on the WorkAbility programme, a major initiative running through to 2028, which has a budget of approximately €36 million. It is designed to help people with disabilities transition to education, training and employment. As well as this, we have a focus on the higher education access programme, the national access plan, which aims to further increase the proportion of students with disabilities entering third level education. I have been made aware of an issue whereby students with disabilities are able to complete up to level 5 qualifications. Level 5 has been identified as putting students in an excellent position to transition to apprenticeships, yet in order for people with disabilities to go onto an apprenticeship programme they have to give up their disability allowance. This puts them at a distinct disadvantage. When they give up an initiative like this it is very hard to get it back. I call on the House to have a discussion on access to education for people with disabilities.

To follow on from what some previous speakers said, I also acknowledge Jordan and Cian Adams from the FTD Brothers. I ran with them when they were in Roscommon. Senator Boyle brought up Duchenne muscular dystrophy and trying to get givinostat medication. When the FTD Brothers were in Roscommon, the Join Our Boys Trust charity was their local charity of choice to which they gave some of the funds they raised. It supports two young boys with Duchenne. As Senator Boyle highlighted, time is muscle and we need to act on it fast. I welcome the fact the manufacturers have applied for a licence for recognition in Ireland but we need to speed up the process.

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

I want to be associated with the congratulations to Seán Kyne. Saturday and Sunday were nail-biting and showed the value of the single transferable vote. I am delighted for Seán and his family. A more decent man you could not meet. We will be holding interviews for the position of Leader over the coming days - CVs to me before the close of business this evening. To my colleagues who have spent their time in both Houses crying about the triple lock, Ireland's neutrality and all of that nonsense, yesterday was the start of the collapse of Ireland's peacekeeping missions overseas. Operation Irini is still continuing, but Irish service personnel cannot serve any more. They have been withdrawn with effect from 24 May. Let us watch over the coming months as we withdraw more and more of our Defence Forces people back home because of an infantile process known as the triple lock.

Who in this House would go to their next-door neighbour and ask if they could let their husband or wife out for a drink tonight? Who would ask some stranger if we could let the children out? Yet we are quite happy to allow the English King, the President of the United States, the President of France and the President of Russia to decide where we will send our troops. Is it not time that we grew up as a sovereign nation?

Can we imagine the position of General Seán Clancy, the current chairman of the European Union Military Committee? He is an Irish general who cannot see his own countrymen serve overseas. This nonsense has to stop. It really does. People are telling me today that there were fewer than 12 people involved, so the Government did not have to withdraw them. I ask them to check the law. The Government had no choice. It had to withdraw them. I would like to see the legislation on the triple lock come into the House before the break and let us put an end to this nonsense.

Noel O'Donovan (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wish to share in the comments made by my colleagues congratulating Deputies Seán Kyne and Daniel Ennis on their election to the Lower House. The comments about our former colleague, Seán Kyne, from across the floor have been a tribute to him as a man of sincerity and decency and a man willing to work with all of us in this House. The vote, and the transfers, showed that over the weekend as well. I genuinely wish him the best of luck. It is a symbol of the man he is that he has promised to be a better and more hard-working TD than he was the last time. This is a reflection of the man he is.

I also agree with the contribution from Senator Craughwell in terms of the triple lock debate. I look forward to having that debate in this House because it is an important one. Some extremely important issues will be discussed. The Senator laid it out straight, in terms of Irish generals not being able to make decisions themselves on where Irish peacekeeping forces go. We should be making those decisions ourselves as a Government and a nation, rather than asking others to do so.

I also want to raise the issue of our income tax policy. A discussion of this issue is needed in this House. As a proud member of Fine Gael, I believe strongly in rewarding hard work, encouraging initiative and supporting those trying to build a better life for themselves and their families. Increasingly, though, there is a concern that our tax system is sending the opposite message. It was a message that came through quite clearly on the doors in west Cork in recent weeks when a young family set out their situation. There are two good jobs in the household, with one person working in a semi-State and one working for a pharmaceutical company. Yet the family is struggling. There is a need to look at our tax system in the upcoming budget and in the budgets to come. I would welcome a debate in this House on this matter before the upcoming budget.

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

I extend my congratulations to Deputy Daniel Ennis and to the former Senator, Deputy Seán Kyne, who was particularly patient with Members from this side of the House. He was very accommodating and easy to work with and I wish him well. Personally, I feel very glad for him.

Last week, an elected member of Dublin City Council posted a video on social media which could only really be described as Nazi propaganda. The video praises Adolf Hitler and openly expresses support for the Holocaust, in which 6 million Jewish people were murdered by Nazi Germany and its collaborators. The views expressed in this video and shared online by Councillor Philip Sutcliffe are an absolute disgrace, not only to Dublin City Council but to Ireland as a whole. This is not the first time that Councillor Sutcliffe has shared his extremist and bizarre views online, and I am sure it will probably not be the last. Unfortunately, these sorts of evil, extremist and delusional viewpoints are creeping into Irish society.People like Sutcliffe do not speak for the Irish people or for working-class communities across this city or country. People like him want to tear our country down for their own benefit, sponging money and fame while communities are torn apart by anger and hatred. Their vile hatemongering does not increase wages or solve the housing crisis. It does not build more homes or get the homes we have to the standard we need. It does not make our health service any better, make childcare more affordable, or make our transport better. All it does is turn ordinary people against one other, replacing frustration with fear and swapping hope for anger. The antisemitism and hateful rhetoric espoused by Councillor Sutcliffe and people like him need to be condemned in the strongest possible way. I hope everybody in this House is in agreement in saying that there is no place for antisemitism or Nazi apologism in this country, and there never will be.

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

As Members are aware, political charges are part of the cut and thrust of the Seanad and obviously, issues that are of public interest and in the public arena are open for discussion here but people have to be careful about making anything other than political charges.

Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I join my colleagues and Senators from across the House in congratulating our former colleague, Seán Kyne, on his magnificent election in the by-election. He has been a brilliant colleague to work with over the past 18 months or so and has a wealth of experience that he will return to the Lower House, Dáil Éireann. I congratulate him, his family, and everyone who helped to make it possible. I wish him well. He will definitely be a loss to this House.

I raise flood relief schemes and the OPW. In my area of north Mayo, we have seen the benefit of investment in Crossmolina, where the flood relief scheme is progressing very well. The Ballina flood relief scheme, in conjunction with the OPW and Mayo County Council, is also progressing well through all of the different statutory stages that are required. Both areas have been enormously impacted in the past due to flooding and both will be addressed with this investment. It is important that we have projects that work with and engage with communities. In fairness, both have been constructive in that way.

I highlight and would welcome a discussion with the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, about the flood relief scheme in Crossmolina. In a certain area on the road towards Rakestreet, a number of homeowners will potentially be impacted by road closures. It will involve a major detour to get on the regular route, which many would travel three or four times a day. It will add potentially half an hour to their commute, or more, depending on how many times they travel each day. I call on the local authority to engage with the OPW to make arrangements that work for residents in the Crossmolina area in order that this project can be delivered on time but with the support of residents and without too much disruption.

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

I would also like to be associated with the comments regarding Senator Seán Kyne, now Deputy Kyne. I first of all congratulate him and his wider team but also the people of Galway for something very special. Seán Kyne is very likeable but he is also trustworthy. That is the message we got on the doors, when we canvassed in Galway, that Seán Kyne is a likeable fellow and is trustworthy. We see people giving out on social media that he did not get the highest vote and so on. Democracy is at play here and it is strong in this country. It is not first past the post. People have to understand that. There are some woeful comments that he did not get the highest vote but at the end of the day, he finished first at the end of the race, which is what democracy is all about. Moving on from that, I congratulate Daniel Ennis and his family. It is lovely to get elected and is a great achievement.

I raise an issue regarding beef prices.There was a huge increase in beef prices last year for farmers but unfortunately this year there has been a decrease and a number of farmers are losing between €4 to €5.50 a head on prices last year for the same weight of animal killed in factories. We are talking about food security. It has to be priority number one but we are seeing massive losses on farms. Despite this, the retailers are paying €13.99 to €25.99 for the same beef the farmers are getting €6.30 or €6.50 for. There is a huge price gap here for the factories and there is huge price-gouging going on whether we like it or not. The farmer is keeping those cattle for 500 to 600 days on average in most cases. The factories have them for six weeks and the retailer has them before he sells them for maybe 21 days. If we are talking about food security we have to get serious about this. I call on MII to give a statement on why the price of beef is falling at the rate it is at this time of the year.

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

There is something special about Ireland when the sun comes out. People head to the beaches and to the back of the wardrobe for their sandals and we swap dinners for salads. Across towns and villages people gather outside their local pub after work to chat, relax and soak up the sun but these meeting places that hold communities together are disappearing. The Vintners Federation of Ireland has warned that rural pubs are facing a massive threat unless the Government acts in budget 2027. Since 2005, 2,200 pubs have closed their doors across Ireland. In recent years, closures have increased to an average of 128 pubs per year. Rural Ireland has been hit hardest of all. When a rural pub closes, it is never just a business shutting its doors as it is often the last meeting place in a village. It is where birthdays are celebrated, funerals are remembered, matches are watched and lonely people find company. When a rural pub closes, a community loses a social anchor. At a time Ireland has been identified as one of the loneliest countries in the European Union, this is significant. Nearly 190,000 people over the age of 65 live alone. Rural isolation is a thing, especially for single male farmers. I ask the Government to consider the proposed tax credit scheme from the VFI because it would go a long way to supporting our local pubs. If we can support film, television and gaming through targeted tax credits, surely we can support the small publicans keeping rural communities alive.

I congratulate Seán Kyne on his win, as well as Daniel Ennis. I got to know Seán over the past year and I believe he was elected because he is a genuine, kind person. I was the beneficiary of his kindness in here. On many an occasion I sat for maybe two hours to speak and we ran out of time but he noticed and asked for more time. He is very tuned in and I wish him the very best of luck.

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

Hear, hear.

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

Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh leis an TD nua, Seán Kyne. I just thought I would say that in Seán's language as he had such good Irish. I hope I pronounced it well.

There is no such thing as a hopeless cause. I definitely learned that yesterday when I went to the Joshua Community's centre in Navan. It was my first time visiting. I ended up spending about two and a half hours in the centre. I am probably a little bit ignorant of everything that is going on with people who are vulnerable and homeless and it was definitely an experience for me to visit that centre yesterday. At the centre there are projects aimed at those who feel they need a fresh start or new direction. These people may have been unemployed for a long time. This includes those who may have suffered with substance abuse. I met one person yesterday who suffered a very severe drug addiction up until ten years ago when she found the centre. The community is in Cavan as well as Meath and Senator O'Reilly was mentioned yesterday. The community was able to help this person do courses and seek employment.On seeing someone's life completely at one of the scale being turned around to the other end of the scale, I was just blown away. It opened a thought for me as to what can be done to support places like this. People were going in there yesterday to have a shower. They may have been going in to grab a toothbrush and toothpaste or simple little things like a change of socks. These are things that so many of us take for granted. It was a very humbling experience for me. I wanted to use my time today to raise the Joshua Community and to open the conversation even more. My colleague, Senator Aubrey McCarthy brings it up a lot in this House, as do many other Senators, but we should have a good, strong debate about what the Government can do to support people who are going out of their way to help vulnerable people in Ireland. In my community, I can see first-hand the impact it is having.

Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This week, I endorse the ongoing campaign in relation to Tractor Safety Week. The campaign urges and encourages people using tractors and farm machinery to be very careful as they go about their daily tasks. The tractor is synonymous with farm work. Indeed, it is centrally used - nearly every single day of the week and with that comes many dangers. Unfortunately, last year, 25 people lost their lives on Irish farms. That is twice the number of the year before. In addition to that, there were approximately over 4,600 serious farm accidents, many of them resulting in life-changing situations for the people concerned and their families. This week, I endorse that campaign. I plead with all farmers, farm contractors and anybody in close proximity to farm machinery to be very careful. I was born and reared on a farm myself. During this particular time of year with the sun high in the sky, farmers are very busy. They are under pressure regarding time. I urge them to pause for a second, to check that the machinery is working okay and to be extra careful as they go about their daily tasks. When a fatality occurs on a farm, it is truly heartbreaking for that family. Every single day that they get up and go on that farm, there is a reminder of it. My plea today is for people to be extra careful as they go about their daily work.

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

I also say comhghairdeas agus bualadh bos to Seán Kyne. Go n-éirí an t-ádh leis ina phost nua. It is fantastic for him and I am delighted for him. I also wish Daniel Ennis the very best and congratulate him. I congratulate everyone who ran. It was a long campaign and everyone who ran needs huge credit for putting their name forward on the ballot paper.

I was at a great report launch yesterday by the children and young people’s services committee, CYPSC, in Sligo and Leitrim. The report is on transforming youth mental health supports in Sligo and Leitrim. We heard from the CYPSC co-ordinator, but also from Comhairle na nÓg in Sligo and Leitrim. I will read out a quotation from the focus group. They are basically looking for an early intervention youth support facility for young people in Sligo and Leitrim:

Young people in Sligo and Leitrim are struggling and we need support that actually helps us. It should not take months to talk to someone or feel like you’re fighting a system just to be heard. We want help that’s easy to reach, and when things start to feel overwhelming, not after when everything has already gone wrong.

There are a lot of recommendations in this report. I know they have presented this report to the Minister of State, Deputy Butler. As it is driven by young people, there are recommendations on the services that are there. Jigsaw is in Mayo and Mindspace in Donegal and Roscommon. In all the surrounding counties, there are early intervention mental health services for young people. We do not have that in Sligo. A total of 270 people were identified for these focus groups. I think 223 of them were young people. It is in their own words saying that they need a space that is free, accessible and not just based in an urban town. It has to be based in rural areas as well. They asked for youth-friendly design, that privacy and stigma be addressed and for goal-oriented supports and access to a range of number of professions.We are very lucky in Sligo and Leitrim in that we have a lot of youth services and we have CAMHS. They need somewhere to direct people to. I know this from being a youth worker on the ground. There is nowhere to direct services. If a young person presents with a mental health need, we have nowhere to direct them. There is no one there. I hope the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, will take on board the recommendations in this report.

Garret Kelleher (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Chomh maith leis na Seanadóirí eile ar fad, déanaim comhghairdeas leis na Teachtaí Dála nua atá againn, Seán Kyne agus Daniel Ennis, as ucht na mbuanna a bhí acu sna fothoghcháin an tseachtain seo caite. I gcás Sheáin, is iontach an rud é a bheith ag cloisteáil na ráiteas ar fad ó na Seanadóirí, go háirithe Seanadóirí an Fhreasúra, agus na dea-rudaí atá le rá acu mar gheall air. The Fine Gael Group knows the enormously positive contribution Seán made. As the group was primarily made up of first-time Senators, it was very important to have somebody of his experience - and that of our Acting Leader - from previous Seanaid. It is lovely to hear the positive comments coming from the Opposition. Positivity was very much a theme of Seán's campaign. Everybody in this Chamber today has spoken of his integrity and decency. It is very refreshing to hear that level of magnanimity from everybody towards Seán, and to hear the regard in which he was held, which came out very much in the campaign. Déanaim comhghairdeas leis agus le Daniel Ennis. I do not know Daniel personally. I met him on two occasions today and had a brief exchange with him. He got a very strong mandate from the people of Dublin Central. I hope he does very well.

I would like to very briefly take up something that was said by Senator Gallagher. I refer to the work that is being done to assist people who have sustained injuries in farm accidents. As the Acting Leader knows, there is a very active group in Mountrath, County Laois - Embrace FARM, led by Brian Rohan and his wife, Norma. He established that charity as a result of losing his father to a farming accident. They do superb work. That is something on which I might well have a discussion with Senator Gallagher afterwards.

Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an mbeirt Teachtaí Dála nua atá againn. Tá súil agam go n-éireoidh go geal leis an mbeirt acu.

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

I welcome guests of Senator Andrews - students who are doing their masters in international development in Maynooth University. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann today. I also welcome guests of Senator Noonan and Deputy Clarke. I thank them for being here.

Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I join with colleagues today in expressing congratulations to our former colleague and former Leader of Seanad Éireann, Seán Kyne, on his election to Dáil Éireann. One of the big things that stands for me about Seán is his interest in public service, his decency and also the respect he had for the institution that is Seanad Éireann. In the time that he was the Leader of the Seanad, he recognised the important role we do here as a legislative Chamber made up of different groupings, parties and people who have very different policy beliefs, but all of whom believe in the importance of democracy and the importance of this institution as a legislative Chamber and a Chamber for discussion and debate. In his contributions as Leader while responding on a daily and weekly basis to the Order of Business, I always felt that he took up those issues and that there was a balance in the debates that led from the Order of Business here, recognising the various different groupings that we have here. I congratulate him, his family and the Fine Gael Party and organisation in Galway, including the very hard-working team of Galway councillors who played a very important role in the election campaign. I also congratulate Daniel Ennis on his election as a representative for Dublin Central. This is very much a day for them and their families. I hope that they both have the opportunity to reflect on the big moment that it is to take a seat in the Lower House.As somebody who was elected to the same panel as Seán Kyne, I particularly want to congratulate him.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I would also like to pay huge tribute and congratulations to our former Leader, Seán Kyne, on his elevation to the Lower House. I have known Seán Kyne for more than 20 years at this stage. The first time I met him was prior to the 2007 Seanad election when he came and sat in my kitchen and from then on we were firm friends. Seán is there in good days and bad. He is a thoroughly decent person and is a loss to this House but a huge asset to Dáil Éireann. The people of Galway are very lucky to have a representative like Seán and they know it, because they elected him. Governments do not win by-elections but Seán Kyne did win a by-election, which is a testament to him, in the first and last instance, and his decency, integrity, backbone, intelligence, shrewdness and above all, his commitment to public service. The Houses of the Oireachtas are very fortunate to have people of that calibre and I wish him every success over the next three and a half years in his role in Dáil Éireann. I would also like to wish the Acting Leader well in the coming days.

I would like to echo the comments made on farm safety. The Cathaoirleach will recall the initiative of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee between 2011 and 2016, which resulted in a very good report on farm safety that included a series of recommendations. I was lucky enough to be the convenor back then. A number of the recommendations were taken on board by the Government at a time there were not huge resources in the country. Unfortunately, too many people are still losing their lives in farm accidents. It might not be a bad idea to refresh that very good report and draw up a supplementary report on farm safety, 15 years later. It is an issue on which we have to be ever vigilant. Beautiful days like today are the type of day that farmers embrace, want and need. We do not want people getting hurt or losing their lives so whatever can be done, in terms of raising awareness, should be done.

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

I thank the Senator for his work as convenor on that report on farm safety. It was quite comprehensive in terms of engagement with farming organisations and groups as well as with the victims of farm accidents, those who lost loved ones and those whose lives were transformed by injuries they received. I thank him for his work on that. The report's recommendations led to changes throughout the country on the issue of farm safety.

Laura Harmon (Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the two new TDs, Daniel Ennis in Dublin Central and Seán Kyne, our former Seanad colleague and Leader, on their elections. Comhghairdeachas agus beir bua. I wish them both well in the future. Of course, we now look forward to a by-election in the Seanad.

I also want to congratulate Glasheen Boys' School in Cork city, which won the Sciath na Scol hurling championship. We are very proud of them in our local community and I congratulate the boys, their teachers and coaches as well.

I want to raise the issue of survivors of institutional abuse. I have just come from a briefing in Buswells Hotel on this. Survivors are calling for a number of actions, the first of which is a commitment to a meaningful redress package for those who were boarded out.There should be an immediate removal of the 180-day eligibility requirement for mother and baby homes in terms of the redress scheme. The Labour Party has said that anyone who has spent a minute in a mother and baby home or institution should be liable for full redress. We also need to ensure that all institutions operating within the network of mother and baby homes and county home institutions, including private nursing homes and other settings, should be included in this. It is really disappointing to see that there has been such a low uptake of redress schemes. This is because it has not been promoted properly by the Government, or through embassies and representatives abroad either. These people are being doubly traumatised as a result of this. A redress scheme is one thing, but being excluded time and time again is extremely traumatising for survivors. We absolutely need to ensure that they have proper health and housing supports. We should have the Minister in the Seanad soon so we can have a full debate on this.

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

I call on the Acting Leader to respond.

Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank colleagues for their contributions. I will say a few words on former Senator Kyne at the end.

Senator O'Loughlin spoke about the 32 marathons in 32 days by Jordan and Cian Adams. The amount of money they have raised for dementia is phenomenal at over €1 million. It is really to be recognised. As the Senator outlined, there is a good opportunity to have a debate in this House with the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, on resources for people with dementia. We will see if that is possible. She also spoke about the importance of reading and investing in libraries. It is so vital, particularly for young people. I see with my own two young boys how much they benefit from reading. The last contribution of the former Minister, Paschal Donohoe, in the Lower House was about investing in libraries and reading. We need to do more of that.

Senator Boyle spoke about a drug that has been mentioned a number of times in this House and needs to be approved by the HSE. I know it has received a proposal from the drug company in respect of that illness. It needs to be brought forward. Senator Boyle could put down a Commencement matter on that issue with the Minister for Health.

Senator Keogan raised the issue of the Iranian ambassador receiving their credentials to Ireland. As she said, it is a decision by the Department and the Minister. It is always important that we have some sort of dialogue, even with countries that do not agree with us on certain things. There are a lot of countries that have questionable human rights issues; Iran is one. There are many others for which we have ambassadors in this country. I take the Senator's concerns on board and take them as genuine, but it is a matter for the Department and the Minister.

Senator Keogan made a comment in relation to Fianna Fáil colleagues. It is not for me to answer for Fianna Fáil, but in this House we have and should always have that respect between both sides. That is something that the former Leader had, as was mentioned today. We can have a robust discussion but we can do it in a respectful way. I think the majority of colleagues in this House have always acted that way. Hopefully, that can continue.

Senator Tully raised the issue of autism and the new autism assessment. She is right that it is a good opportunity for the Minister to come in to the Seanad to outline it. In fairness to Senator Tully, in her two-minute contribution she had at least 15 or 20 questions she is looking for clarity on. As public representatives, we all know families looking for early intervention for people to be assessed who might have autism. There are 22,000 people still waiting for early assessment. A lot of money has been put into it. A lot of publicity was brought to this by a girl from my parish in Tipperary, Cara Darmody, who has done an awful lot over the last number of years in launching Cara's Fund. It is timely that we would have a debate in the House with the Minister and I will request that on behalf of Senator Tully.

Senator Fitzpatrick also spoke about Jordan and Cian Adams, the amount of money that has been raised and the work they have done. She asked people in Dublin to get out to support them, which is very important.Senator Scahill also raised Jordan and Cian and mentioned he ran with them. I am not sure how many kilometres he did, but he certainly did not do 32 days and 32 kilometres and he is a keen runner. The Senator also spoke about access to education and disabilities. Money has been put aside for that. It has always been an issue for people with disabilities that if they go into the workforce and get a job, they lose their disability allowance. That can have a real impact on that person and their family, particularly if it is a young person. We need to ensure there are no barriers for people to have a job, a full education and go into the workforce. We can have a debate on that.

Senator Craughwell spoke about the triple lock and where we are with it at present. It is currently progressing quite well and we are hoping to have it before the Houses by autumn. He outlined in his contribution the reasons it needs to be done and gave a very good example of the people coming home from peacekeeping this week. These decisions have to be made by the Irish Government as to where people who are peacekeeping will go. There will obviously be a discussion on that in both Houses when it comes to the floor. There have been many discussions in the House on it already. The committee on defence has discussed it also and people have separate issues on it. Certainly, with the background the Senator has and his understanding of the Irish Defence Forces, he outlines exactly the reason the Government wants to introduce this.

Senator O'Donovan also outlined the triple lock and the importance of it. He spoke about what many of us who were knocking on doors in recent weeks would have realised, which is that tax is a real issue. People working full time with good jobs are still struggling at the end of the week or month to pay their bills. I will speak to the Minister for Finance to try to have a debate in this House and for him to outline his priorities in the upcoming budget, to make sure people who are working hard every day can take home an income that can last a full week or month.

Senator Andrews spoke about a video by a Dublin city councillor. I have not seen it myself, but I have no doubt it is as shocking as the Senator suggested. It is probably best that I do not comment on it. I always find with these things that the more you speak about your outrage, the more publicity the person gets from it, which is totally contrary to what we want to happen. Unfortunately, some people like this get elected around the world and we have one or two in our own country. It is our job, even when we are on different political sides, to work together on issues. As the Senator said, it is about trying not to create a divide or influence or mislead people. That certainly seems to be what he suggested is happening in this video. Like the Senator, all normal public representatives would not condone that sort of carry-on.

Senator Duffy spoke on the flood relief schemes, particularly the one in Crossmolina and Ballina. The Senator welcomed and outlined the exact biggest issue for big infrastructure projects, which is dialogue with communities. The communities want these projects, but they also want consultation on when these projects are being built, so that their own lives and normal day-to-day business are not totally uprooted. There is going to be a real impact on the community for several weeks or months with road closures. It is a good opportunity for the Senator to put down a Commencement matter with the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, regarding that consultation for homeowners on the roads that are going to be closed.

Senator Brady spoke about beef prices. He knows very well that beef prices go up and down. Farmers always have to budget not on an annual basis, but almost on a five-year basis for where beef prices will be. It is extremely challenging and very frustrating for beef farmers when they see their own price dropping but the price in a retail shop increasing. It is very difficult for people to understand how and why that could be the case. It is a good opportunity for Senator Brady to raise this issue and highlight the inconsistency of that.

Senator O'Reilly spoke about rural pubs.Anyone from rural Ireland is well aware of the number of rural pubs which have closed over past number of years. It is happening because of a changing rural way of living, particularly in young people. You just do not see it. Back in our day we went to the rural pub first on a Saturday night before going into the town. We always looked after the rural pub. That just does not happen as much as it used to. We have made changes and commitments, particularly in the next budget on the 9% VAT rate in the hospitality sector. That does not cover every single rural pub - it only covers pubs which serve food - but it makes an impact. We are well aware that no matter whether we are talking about pubs, post offices, schools or small businesses, any closure has a massive impact on a rural community. We need to make sure we invest in rural Ireland as much as possible. That is why we have a Department solely responsible for investing in rural Ireland.

Senator Nelson Murray spoke about the support provided by the Joshua Community at its centre in Navan and the work it does for unemployed people who have unfortunately had addiction. To see their lives turned around by the work that is being done – much of this work is done voluntarily or with very little funding – is fantastic. The Senator has asked for a debate on how we can do more. We hear from Senator McCarthy on an almost weekly basis about the work that is done by Tiglin to support people who have had a knock-back in life and need a bit of support and receive it from organisations.

Senator Gallagher mentioned that this week is Tractor Safety Week. It is a timely week to have this campaign because of the weather and the sunshine. Many farmers are out on the roads. When you drive on rural roads at the moment, as I was this morning when I brought my kids to school, you come across tractors every kilometre or two. Obviously, it is very dangerous. The majority of people driving these tractors are young people. It is always important that we highlight the responsibility for safety that they have when they drive them. Some 25 lives were lost last year in farm incidents. Anyone who is from or grew up on a farm, as I did, is always aware that the family home is also a workplace. Accidents happen all the time in workplaces. You need to be so vigilant on a farm because it is a workplace where young children want to get out and see tractors and combine harvesters. That is something we always have to be conscious of and remind people of. If something happens, as Senator Gallagher said, you will be reminded every single day when you go out to the farm that a terrible accident happened on it. We do not want that to happen to anyone.

Senator Cosgrove highlighted the launch of a CYPSC report on a youth support facility that is needed for Sligo. It can be very frustrating when neighbouring counties have supports like Jigsaw. I know this because the Jigsaw facility in Thurles, County Tipperary, is wonderful for young children who suffer from anxiety or mental health issues and need supports close to them so that they do not have to travel a long distance. They have it on their doorstep and it is available for them. As the Senator said, there are a number of recommendations in that report. There could be a good opportunity for the Minister of State, who is very passionate about this, to have a discussion on the report and the recommendations put forward in it. We can see in other counties that when these facilities are put in place, they have benefits for the people of the area. I will ask the Minister of State's Department to see if that is possible.

Senator Kelleher raised farm accidents. He mentioned Embrace FARM, which is a wonderful organisation in County Laois that has done great work on awareness of farm accidents.

Senator Martin Conway also referred to farm safety. He mentioned that the Seanad Public Consultation Committee did a good lot of work on this issue previously and made some recommendations. It has been a long time since that was done. He suggested a supplementary report. It would be no harm at all to consider that, considering the week we are in.

Senator Harmon spoke about survivors of institutional abuse. Obviously, that matter has been discussed a lot in both Houses over the past number of years. The things that went on in those facilities were outrageous and that is why the Government is committed to a redress package.I understand the Senator's views on it and her concerns and the concerns of the group she talked about. We can have a debate with the Minister about it. It is disappointing that the uptake is not as high as we would expect. I do not know whether that is because it needs to be promoted more or whether it is about people just not being aware of it, but the package is there. It does not include everyone, as the Senator said. That was a decision that was made by the Cabinet at the time. I will see if there is a possibility of having a debate on the matter.

Finally, every colleague spoke about the two by-elections in Dublin Central and Galway West. I congratulate Daniel Ennis on taking his seat as a TD for Dublin Central and wish him and his family all the best. I also congratulate the former Leader of the Seanad, now Deputy, Seán Kyne, on his election. It is wonderful that so many Senators got to know Seán over the past 18 months and saw what a decent person he is and how he works across the aisle regardless of political views. It is lovely to hear them mention that. It reinforces why we in Fine Gael thought he might be transfer friendly - people respect him and acknowledge the good work he has done. There was great work done particularly in Galway by the Galway Members and Galway councillors, as Senator Cathal Byrne mentioned. We are all in this profession and we know we have our ups and downs, and it is always lovely to see someone who has had one or two downs succeed and get back again. We will miss him here, obviously, but we all wish him well. I know he will take the unified approach he took in this House into the madder House down below.

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

I welcome the Japanese ambassador to Ireland. He is most welcome to the Seanad. We are delighted he is here. We have great relations with his country and great regard for its friendship with Ireland. We are delighted to see him here with the Minister of State, Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan. I thank the Minister of State for bringing the ambassador here. Long may our friendship continue. I also thank the ambassador.