Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Before I call the Acting Leader to announce the Order of Business I welcome the students from Firhouse Community College in Tallaght who are here this morning. They are very welcome to Leinster House, céad míle fáilte.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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The Order of Business is No. 1, statements to mark Europe Day 2024, to be taken at 12.15 p.m. with time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, that of all Senators not to exceed ten minutes and the Minister to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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As we begin the Order of Business, a coffee morning is starting in the Coffee Dock to support and spread awareness of the work of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, ASI. It does incredible work throughout the country. What it is aiming to do is create a dementia-inclusive generation. It is doing this by working with transition year students. Apparently one in three young people knows somebody with dementia so it is important that young people understand it and recognise it and support those with dementia. The ASI is also doing this through working with large shopping centres. Mahon Point in Cork was the first in the country to do this and we are planning similar with Whitewater Shopping Centre in Newbridge and the Kildare Village shopping centre. The ASI also has dementia advisers for those who need support. It organises day care as well as home care. I am fortunate that in County Kildare we now have new day care centre in Kildangan. It is wonderful and I was there during the week. I encourage Members and staff to come to the Coffee Dock for the coffee morning. If anybody tuning in needs the helpline, it is 1800 341 341.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet John Joe O'Connell, Mark O'Meara and Tara McManus from the Garda Representative Association. They were meeting and protesting outside Leinster House about the retirement scheme for post-2013 entrants. This is basically a new pension scheme that commenced for those who joined the public service after 1 January 2013. At present those who joined since then will receive an occupational pension on retirement but will not receive a State pension until the age of 66. Many will be retiring after 20 years' service with a very small pension. It is very important that we do what we can to make sure that a better pension system is put in place. This does not only refer to gardaí but also to those serving in the Defence Forces and other public servants.

I also want to mention sexual violence, which affects people in every community and every constituency throughout the country. Thanks to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre we have started workshops every Wednesday from 3.30 p.m. to help support Members and staff. Many of us have situations where people come and make disclosures to us. It is important that we know how to support them and how to deal with social media. I encourage Members and staff to attend next Wednesday between 3.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I support Senator O'Loughlin with regard to the Garda pension. I have raised this issue previously and I fully support her on it.

I want to raise an issue regarding potholes and side subsidence of roads. With the constant rain we have had over the past six months, there is a considerable number of potholes. There is also subsidence along the sides of the roads. More and more people are cycling and this will affect cyclists. The constant rain is the problem. What is the position on the active travel budget? Is it allocated to each local authority? If they are getting it, are they using it for what it is supposed to be used? The condition of the roads has improved greatly over the past ten years. The structure of the roads throughout the country has improved unbelievably over the past ten years but with the constant rain over the past six months, there are potholes and subsidence along the sides of roads. This can be very dangerous for cyclists and motorists where they pull in, particularly on narrow roads where two cars cannot pass at normal speed. What is the position on the active travel budget? Can it be used for the likes of this type of work as well as for some of the main issues it is being used for? Perhaps the Acting Leader can get an update for us on the amount being allocated to each local authority over the past 12 months.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Go raibh maith agat.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Cuirim fíorfháilte roimh na daltaí idirbhliana ó Mheánscoil Naomh Pól, Monasterevin. I welcome the transition year students from St. Paul's Secondary School in Monasterevin to Leinster House. They are very welcome. I hope they have a very enjoyable visit and I thank them for being here. I thank their teachers as well for the wonderful work they are doing. I hope that as we head towards the summer holidays, they will be very enjoyable. Anois, glaoim ar an Seanadóir Black.

Frances Black (Independent)
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Go raibh maith agat. I must again raise the issue of Gaza and the invasion of Rafah in its southern part. It fills me with so much dread it is hard to articulate at this stage. Rafah is about the size of Limerick city and is now home to more than 1.5 million people who have been displaced from their homes in northern and central Gaza by Israel's murderous invasion. People in Rafah are living and dying in tents. Many of them have fled multiple times in the last six months. Rafah has become a city of tents and precious little medical infrastructure. People are living hand to mouth trying to survive on the meagre amounts of aid Israel has allowed to enter.

Israel has now occupied the Palestinian side of the border crossing in preparation for a full-scale invasion of Rafah. It is planning to launch a brutal ground invasion of a refugee camp. This is beyond belief. There is no support anywhere for this. If Israel is allowed to carry out this invasion, it will be a massacre. It must be stopped. The time for strong rhetoric or symbolic gestures is over. Every economic and diplomatic sanction must be on the table. European Union-wide action requires unanimity. There are member states that have completely abandoned any commitment to human rights when it comes to Palestine. If Ireland acts, other countries will follow.

I also wish to say how proud I am of the Trinity College students who have dismantled their encampment after getting the university to agree to divest from and end institutional ties with Israel. The students faced down repressive fines from the college and abuse from racists on social media because they knew their cause was just. They have displayed the moral courage and commitment that have been so lacking in western governments during this ongoing genocide. They have proved that when people come together and take action for Palestine, they can achieve victories in universities, trade unions, churches, workplaces, political parties and governments. These last few months have been filled with such inhumanity and horror and what is happening is beyond belief, but the global uprising against colonialism and genocide really does give me hope. The students occupying their colleges give me hope. The workers blocking shipments of weapons at factories and ports give me hope. The Palestinians who continue to struggle for freedom, despite all they have endured, give me hope.

When Nelson Mandela died, political leaders from Europe and America sang his praises and spoke about the evils of apartheid. They neglected to mention that their countries had to be dragged kicking and screaming into boycotting apartheid by activists and the political leadership of the global south. History is repeating itself. We need to boycott, divest from and sanction Israel for its genocide in Gaza before it is too late. I would like the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, to be called into the House to give us an update on what is going on.

Rebecca Moynihan (Labour)
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I raise the issue of Mount Street and the hundred tents removed this morning. As far as we know, the people there were sent to two unknown locations. There is a crisis with accommodation for international protection applicants in the city. It is the result of a decision by the Government not to house single men. The response seems to be that we will barricade the city street by street as people move. It is happening, essentially, because we do not have long- or medium-term accommodation for international protection applicants.

A number of reasons have been bandied around for this being the case. One is that the majority of applicants are coming in from the North because of the UK Government's Rwanda policy. The reality, however, is that this situation has been caused by an absence of medium-term thinking when it comes to housing refugees. We knew at the time of the Ukrainian crisis that it is very unusual for refugees to return to their home country because they often lay down roots in the country they move to. We need medium-term solutions, by which I mean having the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage involved in housing international protection applicants along with local authorities and engaging all the levers available to the State to ensure modular accommodation is available in the medium term.

We know we can do this and the setting up of Crooksling is an example of that. This ad hoc policy of barricading the city street by street is simply not working. It is adding to tensions and anti-immigrant sentiment. I ask that we have a debate on our refugee and response to international protection applicants.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I welcome that more than 40 sports clubs in County Limerick received over €1.3 million in sports equipment grants. This is very welcome news for the clubs in question. Much of the money will be spent on refurbishing older equipment, but new equipment will also be purchased to benefit those participating in these sports. Community centres have also benefited from this funding.

It would be remiss of me not to welcome the news from the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, this morning that HIQA has been asked to carry out a review at University Hospital Limerick and the mid-west region. It is to look at whether a second accident and emergency department is needed in the region. When the smaller accident and emergency departments were closed down, this was done based on medical advice, including advice from clinicians and other experts. As we are all aware, much has happened at UHL. The hospital is in the news every day of the week for different reasons, including overcrowding and people being on trolleys.

HIQA found in its most recent report that the way of doing business in UHL has changed. I welcome the fact that a new team, with fresh eyes, has been brought in. This was something I had been looking for. I also welcome that HIQA will be carrying out this new review alongside the new team. The aim here is to have a better quality of care for the patients and better quality working conditions for the staff in the hospital. There are already more than 1,100 extra staff and 150 extra beds in the hospital. The way of doing business at UHL has changed but issues remain. The news this morning is therefore very welcome, as is the fact that the review team will report to Chief Justice Frank Clarke. I await that report.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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Today, I wish to advocate for the former residents of the Westbank orphanage in Greystones, County Wicklow. Deputies and councillors in Wicklow will have been bombarded over the last weekend with literature that was given door to door and to every person on the street of Greystones last week. Many of us will know how the Westbank orphanage was excluded from the redress scheme. Former residents believe that they should have been included in the residential institutions redress scheme. I share that belief and I call today on the Government to look again at the redress scheme to ensure there is justice, fairness and healing for those who were placed, as children, in Westbank orphanage.

I met with Mr. Sidney Herdman and Mr. Andrew Yates, former residents of Westbank, in my office two weeks ago and they told their story. What was unusual was that this was an Anglican Protestant institution. Many of the children came from Northern Ireland down to Greystones and back. These northern Protestant children told me of the biblical story that was so much talked about and taught to them: “Suffer little children ... come on to me.” As we teased out the emotional ramifications of their suffering and abuse, I told them that I understood that quote to be one of reaching out to a segment of society that was thought to be insignificant: children who were suffering, children of weakness and vulnerability.

So what are they asking? They are asking for the Schedule to the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002 to be amended to include them or, now that has been curtailed or closed down, to have a special redress scheme for them. They are people who suffered in this State, under the supervision of this State. They have a genuine story. They have reached out to the Taoiseach and I understand he will be engaging with them. They have reached out to the leaders of all the other parties. These men suffered at Westbank when they were children. They suffered injuries consistent with allegations and alleged abuse. I believe they need a fair hearing and some form of redress. I ask the Government and all Members of this House to advocate strongly for justice for them.

Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein)
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I raised this issue quite recently but I want to raise it again and ask for a debate. I want to express my frustration and disappointment with the current level of vacancies on State boards under the remit of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, which is responsible for these appointments. According to a new response issued to my party colleague, Deputy Ó Snodaigh, almost 50% of the boards for which the Minister has responsibility currently have vacancies and four of these boards are without a chairperson. Particularly concerning for me is the fact that the Arts Council is without a chair since December 2023. This is a State agency with a budget of €130 million and six of its 13 board positions, including that of chair, lie idle. The extent of vacancies obviously poses a real and serious concern about corporate governance. I also wonder about the people who apply for these positions. In what world would we ask people to wait six months in any other recruitment process? Are we just expecting people who are retired to apply for these roles? I wonder what the delay is, particularly with the Arts Council. I would like statements on appointments to State boards under the remit of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the announcement this morning in regard to Government funding for sports capital grants. Almost €1 million has been announced for County Tipperary today with many sports clubs of all types receiving significant amounts of funding. Cahir Golf Club is getting €40,000 and Clonmel Commercials ladies are getting €15,000. The Sports Hub in Clonmel is getting €100,000 which is really important because that is something this Government has invested in hugely. It is about getting further equipment so that schools and young people within the region will be able to use that facility during sports time. Many clubs have contacted me about their own applications outside of equipment. They want to know when that will be announced. I know that a significant amount of money has been put aside for that. I ask that a decision on that is made as quickly as possible because they want to start the work they need to get done in their clubs. Today is a very positive day for many sports clubs throughout the country, in County Tipperary in particular. We have so much money to be able to give out to sports clubs because of good management within the country. We all know the benefit of that to communities right around the country, including Tipperary.

Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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I thought the Cathaoirleach had forgotten me. I would like to raise an issue that he is very much aware of and I am sure the Acting Leader is very much aware of, which is the unbelievable scenario we have with GAAGO, which is having a huge impact on how GAA games can be watched throughout the entire country. We have a bizarre scenario whereby, of the four Cork hurling matches in this year's Munster championship, three of them are on this platform which is basically a paywall. People are required to pay to see the national sport of hurling, which I am talking about in particular this morning.

The Cork county board raised this issue last Tuesday night. I understand there was a considerable debate at county board level about what we believe is happening. I believe this is fundamental. The GAA is a really important part of our society. We are all involved in it. I was the chairman of my local club for many years. I believe what is happening here is totally wrong. By putting in place a subscription paywall as a barrier for people to watch our national sport, we have taken it out of the control of the actual patrons who should be watching the game. They got this pay prescription in 2017 for overseas games. All of a sudden now, they have brought it in with RTÉ as a new way of raising revenue. The knock-on implication is that fewer people are seeing the games. I can quote such people as Dónal Óg Cusack, Tom Kenny and Mark Foley from Timoleague, GAA icons in my part of the world, who are vicious on social media about how this is having a huge impact on hurling in particular.

The Cathaoirleach on occasion has invited the president of the GAA into this Chamber and asked him to sit in that chair. I believe it is appropriate now that he should issue a new invitation for the GAA president to come forward and sit in that chair so that we can ask him about how he, as leader of an organisation of which the majority of us here are members, has allowed this to happen. This is wrong. I fundamentally believe we need to act really quickly on this. I am not asking for the Minister for sport to come in here because I do not believe she has the ability to do anything here. It is the president of the GAA who needs to come into this Chamber to outline his vision because at the moment, the pay-per-view barrier is killing our national sport.

Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael)
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I do not know why you would want to watch the Cork hurling team.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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There is a request before the Seanad CPPO that uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Jarlath Burns, would be invited to address Seanad Éireann. That would be considered by the CPPO.

Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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I think that would be appropriate in light of where we are with this paywall.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I am sure Senator Lombard's contribution today will feed into that. As a Cork person, I believe he is correct when he says it is astonishing that all the Cork hurling matches, notwithstanding the comments of Senator Ahearn, are behind a paywall.

Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael)
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You are better off.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I call on the Acting Leader.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I thank all Senators for their contributions here today. Senator O’Loughlin spoke on a number of issues including the Alzheimer Society of Ireland having a worthy fundraising event today at the coffee dock. I encourage people to go down to that. It is important to support the worthy cause of dementia support. She spoke about the importance of young people being aware of the issue of dementia, which is obviously a very debilitating condition. She also spoke about the Garda Representative Association, which was protesting yesterday regarding the post-2013 retirement pension. Of course many changes were made in the 2011-13 period following the economic collapse that was brought on the country. Certainly there is potential for some of those to be revisited. I advise the Senator to put down a Commencement debate on that topic. It is an issue we should be aware of. If it is impacting on attracting people into An Garda Síochána, that is obviously of grave concern. She also spoke of the exceptional work done by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, which is holding workshops over the coming weeks in which people can participate.

Senator Paddy Burke spoke about the issues due to rainfall and weather conditions on our road network, particularly our local and county roads.I think we can all see that, both from our recent canvassing, and I am sure we will come across it over the next number of weeks, and in our day-to-day work as public representatives. Certainly, I think there is a strong case to be made for additional supports from the Department of Transport in recognition of the weather that we have endured and that our roads have endured, as well as the danger they pose to motorists and cyclists. The Senator is right to raise the issue of active travel. There are large active travel budgets but if they are not being spent due to delays and so on, some of that funding should be redirected towards road maintenance across our county. We could encourage the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and will write to him to ask him to look at that. I note Senator Lombard raised the matter in a recent contribution in the House too.

Senator Mullen spoke on electric shock collars for dogs. He made a valid point about the possibilities for increased attacks on sheep and the result of dogs being shot for such attacks. I know there has been increased advertising advising dog owners that if the dog attacks sheep, it is not the dog's fault but the owner's fault for not controlling the dog. Senator Mullen spoke about additional consultation. It is important that where consultation happens, the results are published and we are allowed access to the consultation. I will certainly contact the Minister about that.

Senator Mullen also spoke about hate speech and the Government's policy in the hate crime Bill. I understand the Minister is looking at amendments to it, which I am sure will come back over the coming months. The Senator correctly stated that hate-related non-crime incidents have increased by 43% from 72 to 103. It is a relatively small number but if you are one of that number, it is an important issue for you, your family and loved ones and all others who live in fear because of their concern that they would be targeted because of who or what they are. In 2023, hate motives were evident in a variety of reported crime incidents, including, most prominently, public order in 27% of cases and minor assault in 16% of cases. It is a real issue. We will have an opportunity over the coming months to further debate the hate speech legislation on this issue.

Senator Black raised the issues in Gaza and called for a debate with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin. I will certainly request that from the Department. The Government is obviously extremely concerned about reports that Israel has begun large-scale military strikes in Rafah. The protection of civilians is an obligation under international humanitarian law. The international community has made it clear that an Israeli military operation in Rafah will inevitably lead to disastrous humanitarian consequences and the deaths of a large number of innocent civilians. The conflict and the broader operation in Palestine is a persistent source of regional instability. It is the Government's view that we need to address this head-on through a comprehensive plan that delivers a two-state solution to ensure peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians and the wider Middle East. I know from reports that there are possibly moves, while engaging with Spain and other European countries, towards formal recognition of the Palestinian state.

Senator Moynihan spoke of the tents on Mount Street which were removed last week in a multi-agency approach involving the Office of Public Works, An Garda Síochána, the HSE and Dublin City Council. The Taoiseach took a hands-on approach in co-ordinating that. It was both a security issue and a health and safety issue for those who were in those tents. Senator Moynihan talked about the accommodation crisis for international protection applicants. IPAS-designated accommodation, which has been provided, has robust, weatherproof tents; toilets, showers; health services; indoor areas where food is provided; facilities to change, charge phones and personal devices; access to transport to and from Dublin city centre; and 24-hour on-site security. Once in IPAS, residents will receive the same supports as at other locations. This includes access to medical care via the HSE social inclusion outreach teams and medical card provision, IPAS customer service teams' clinics, on-site support from the provider's staff, and psychosocial and integration support from non-governmental organisation partners.

The Senator also spoke about own-door accommodation. I would have concerns about putting IPAS migrants in competition with those on social housing lists who are looking for rental accommodation or affordable houses. There is an accommodation crisis. We cannot pit immigrants against everyone else. That would actually cause a rise in anti-immigrant sentiments if such issues arose. I do not agree with the Senator's views on that.

Senators Maria Byrne and Ahearn both spoke about the sports capital equipment grants. That is certainly welcome. I acknowledge their advocacy on behalf of the numerous clubs within their county and city with regard to that, which is positive, as well as the work of voluntary groups across cities and counties around the country to make those applications, and of course the management of the economy, as Senator Ahearn said, that allows this funding to be provided to clubs across the country.

Senator Maria Byrne also raised the issue of University Hospital Limerick, as she has on numerous occasions. HIQA is now intervening and is carrying out a review. We will have to wait to see what the results of that will be. The HSE and Department of Health officials were before the health committee yesterday at which issues were raised by our colleague, Senator Conway. He cautioned against raising the expectations of, for example, reopening emergency departments that were closed in Ennis and elsewhere. There is that concern that expectations would be raised. It will be interesting to see what this review, which obviously has to be medically-based, will arrive at.

Senator Boyhan spoke passionately about the need for a redress scheme for the Westbank Orphanage, Greystones. He is advocating for it. This is certainly an issue that is likely to gain more traction. I am sure the Senator can raise this matter in a Commencement debate. I note the groups are engaging with the Taoiseach, who is of course from that area in Wicklow. We will hopefully see some progress on that. I think they have a strong case, based on precedent in other areas. I wish them well in their campaign and hope they achieve the result quickly.

Senator Warfield spoke about vacancies on State boards, including a vacancy rate of up to 50% in bodies under the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and in particular in respect of the Arts Council. I do not know why that is the case. I will certainly contact the Minister's office to see what the reason is and why a chair has not been appointed to the Arts Council. It is important for governance that the membership of State boards is fully in place. An area that I have a particular interest in is Inland Fisheries Ireland, where State boards were allowed to dwindle and become inquorate because it suited certain Department officials and the Minister's agenda. I do not suspect that is the case with the Arts Council but I am not sure why the numbers are not being filled. I will certainly ask that.

Senator Lombard spoke about GAAGO. The Cathaoirleach answered the question about a possibility of the president of the GAA being here before us. I will leave it in his good hands, through the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight, to arrange that, get agreement and bring a motion to the House on that. Hopefully, Jarlath Burns will be able to come in to answer those valid questions because it discommodes many people who may not be able, for whatever reason, to get to the game itself. It is a valid issue for GAA fans across this country.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the other group of students from St. Paul's Secondary School, Monasterevin. They are transition students who are also here as guests of the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon. They are very welcome to Leinster House. I hope they have an enjoyable visit. Good luck in the rest of the school year and enjoy the summer holidays.