Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim búiochas leis an gCathaoirleach. I thank all the Members who contributed to Order of Business here this morning, and into the afternoon at this stage.

We kicked off with Senator Casey who talked about the Department of Finance circular about those who have a right to take leave in order to upskill themselves with regard to lifesaving. One group he talked about was the first responders group, of which Senator Casey has been a strong advocate since I came into this House. I had a pleasure of meeting a group from his own county that he was heavily involved in supporting. It is currently excluded, and he asked that the Department would review this. When this legislation was passed and the circular was issued, the first responders were informed at that point. The work they do is invaluable, and we are deeply indebted to all those volunteers. I am happy to support that and will write to the Department on Senator Casey's behalf.

Senator McDowell is looking for an amendment to the Order of Business, that item No. 10 be taken before No. 1. I am happy that is the Health (Scoliosis Treatment Services) Bill 2024, and I am very happy to accept the amendment. It is a very worthwhile initiative on the Senator's part, and I commend him and Senator Boyhan who seconded the proposal. With regard to scoliosis, and those kids who are suffering, it really is heartbreaking. As the Senator said, for some time we have been talking about solutions here without actually getting around to it, and it is past time that we move on this. I welcome the Senator's legislation as a first step on that. I know that the health Minister, Deputy Donnelly, has a working group working on this, and I know when people hear about working groups they tend to switch off, and understandably so. However, I hope that working group will conclude its business shortly. I am happy to accept the Senator's amendment to Order of Business and support his initiative in that regard.

Senator Eugene Murphy talked this morning about the initiative whereby drug testing will be mandatory as of this Friday and this bank holiday weekend with regard to those involved in serious accidents. While welcoming that, he would like that extended even further. I can understand that. Unfortunately, the death toll on our roads is truly heartbreaking. I very much welcome the initiative that will happen this weekend, and I fully support it being extended even further.

Senator Murphy also talked about welcoming the fact that SSE Airtricity has this morning announced a 10% reduction on the price of electricity. While welcoming that, I concur with Senator Murphy in calling for much more. Last year, he quoted a figure of €110 million in profit, which is a staggering amount of money, and on the backs of hard-pressed consumers. I would ask other providers and suppliers to follow suit and to go beyond that. A debate on that issue would be very much welcome, and I will certainly do all I can to arrange that very shortly.

Senator Victor Boyhan seconded the motion on the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator McDowell. He talked about Bloom, and the Senator has always been a very strong advocate of Bloom since I came into this House, and rightly so. He has always promoted it every year. I commend him for his work in that regard. As he said, it is a great showcase, and I salute and commend all those who helped to bring this event together and make it happen. Like the Senator, I encourage as many people as possible to make their way to the Phoenix Park at the weekend. I am sure they will have a great time, and they might even bump into the said Senator when they are there.

Senator Craughwell talked about the triple lock, and the debate currently taking place on the triple lock. I know that in the Lower House, as we speak, that particular subject is being discussed with a motion from an Opposition party. The Senator's proposal that we would have a debate on that is a timely one. He feels that there is an awful lot of misinformation out there on the triple lock, what effect it will have our neutrality, and whether it will or will not have an effect. There is a lot of misinformation out there, and perhaps a debate, where the facts could be laid out, would help educate us all. I very much welcome that, and it is something I will endeavour to arrange.

Senator Keogan went on to talk about Thornton Hall, the briefing she had yesterday regarding that - which was organised by the Department, I understand - and her disappointment that no Minister turned up for that. I cannot speak on their behalf but I can make inquiries on that. The Senator talked about the frustration that locals perhaps feel, and that they are not being involved. That is disappointing. I would have thought that at this stage, the Department would have learned that local communities need to be involved when it comes to decisions like this. Perhaps a debate on the six sites that are proposed, which the State is going to roll out, would be welcome. I am sure the communities in which those six sites are going to be located would also very much welcome that. We can endeavour to organise that in the not-too-distant future.

Senator Paddy Burke talked about rail services, and commended the rail network throughout the country. Unfortunately, in the part of the world that I come from, we do not have a rail service, and that is something we are striving to correct. Senator Burke would like additional services to both Ballina and Westport in his beloved County Mayo, particularly an early morning service. As he said himself, more and more people are using the rail service where they have it, and that is down in no small measure to the initiative by Government to reduce the fares for people travelling, both students and adults. That is very much welcome, and it has increased the number of people travelling on the train network currently.

Senator Eileen Flynn mentioned Traveller Pride Week, and the work that is being done in that regard. Senator Flynn has been a strong advocate not just for the Traveller movement itself - she has been very strong in that regard - but she has also been a voice for many other issues in this House. We are very fortunate to have her in the House because she extends herself well beyond the brief she is maybe best known for. We very much welcome that, and we continue to look forward to her contributions in the Seanad because they are always very thoughtful and enlightening. Senator Mullen talked about the ethos of schools, the NCCA, and the fact that, in his opinion, it is leading the charge on the school curriculum. He would very much welcome a debate in that regard. He stressed the importance of the involvement of parents. I encourage all parents to get involved in the consultation that is taking place currently and which is due to end in the first week in June, as Senator Mullen outlined. We can organise a debate on that if the Senator so wishes.

Senator Currie talked about special schools and schools having places for children with autism and the stress that is put on the household - the parents and the child - when places are not available. She spoke about the vital importance of every school stepping up to the mark in providing units for children with special needs. No school should leave it to other schools to fill the gap. Where possible, those facilities should be located near where these kids live rather than them having to travel around the country. It is not just a problem in Dublin 15, the area Senator Currie represents. It is also a problem throughout the country. Great progress is being made but, unfortunately, more needs to be done. We can organise a debate on that.

Senator Carrigy also mentioned special schools. He talked about Lanesborough Primary School in his own county of Longford and the fact it has been given the green light, so to speak, for two extensions for two additional special classes, which is very much welcome. He is looking for an update from the Department on the funding for the work so that both these projects can progress. Perhaps the Senator might consider raising this in a Commencement matter to progress the issue.

Senator Carrigy also talked about the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, who announced the sports capital programme for this year. It is excellent news. Last year, something like €160 million was allocated nationally to sporting organisations. That level of funding was a record. This Government has been very pro-sport and the announcement is welcome. That the amount of funding has increased from €160 million to €250 million is astounding. I commend the Minister of State in that regard.

Senator Carrigy also talked about the importance of ladies being involved in all sporting organisations. I know that is something the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, feels very strongly about. Going forward, unless clubs can produce the evidence that their facilities are open equally to ladies as well as to men, they will be prohibited from getting funding. That is a very welcome development, which I support.

Senator Ward talked about e-scooters and the legislation that is coming into play in regard to them. The matter is very important and, as the Senator outlined in his contribution, there are a lot of regulations, some good and others perhaps not so good. One big bugbear I hear about from people is e-scooters on footpaths, for example, which is extremely dangerous. A debate on that matter would be vitally important, and I will arrange with the Minister for him to come into the Chamber at the earliest convenience so we can have a debate on the regulations and their positives and negatives.

Senator Ward also mentioned the support for the EU in this country. The approval rating is 84%, which is very positive. It is a testament to how Irish people feel about the EU, the support we have given to it and, in turn, the support it has given us. This is probably the last opportunity I will get to mention a number of our colleagues in this House who are seeking election to the European Parliament. I wish every one of them all the very best. Perhaps I might wish some more luck than others. I will leave that for another day. I sincerely wish all the best to all candidates both at European level and local level who are facing the music, so to speak, at the moment. It is a brave thing to do to put your name on a ballot paper. Not everybody can be successful, as we all know. I commend them all on putting their name forward and I wish them all every success. I know the vast majority of the public are very courteous when it comes to welcoming the candidates, if I can use that word, to their doors. I commend the people on that. We do hear the odd horror story, but thankfully they are very much in the minority.