Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair and all the members that contributed today. I welcome Jim and his guests to the Chamber also. I want to take the opportunity to welcome our new Seanadóir, Nikki Bradley, to the Chamber and as a Member of Seanad Éireann. I wish her the very best for her term.

Many members rose this morning at the outset to thank all of the staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas, be it Mr. Martin Groves and the team, an Cathaoirleach, the Bills office, the catering staff and everyone who makes this place tick. It is the last opportunity on the Order of Business to extend our thanks and our gratitude to all of those people who work alongside the Members to facilitate us in doing our job and ensuring the democratic process takes place. I thank them sincerely and we look forward to having a break and coming back in the next term as well.

Senator Fiona O'Loughlin spoke about the lifting of the recruitment ban within the HSE. This is very positive news. It spells the next chapter for our health service and additional funding has been approved for the HSE as well. We hope to see increased recruitment into all areas of our health service that is much needed. The Senator also raised the issue of the NTA and the fairer fares issue that is now not taking place in September. This refers to reduction of fares into parts of Newbridge and Kildare county. This is really unfortunate. It is something the Senator has raised on numerous occasions. If we want to get people out of their cars and onto public transport, we have to make it affordable, accessible and reliable. I hope to see that matter resolved to the satisfaction of commuters.

The Senator also raised the important issue of Gaza, as did Senator Black and Senator Alice Mary Higgins.We need to keep the issue on the agenda at every opportunity. Our hearts are broken while watching what is happening on a daily basis in Gaza, particularly what is happening to children in terms of the slaughter, murder and forced famine in that area. It is shocking to see what is happening. We are all deeply frustrated that diplomacy in politics has not yet worked to resolve the matter and to bring about a ceasefire. We will look for a debate in the new term on the issue to keep the matter high on the agenda and hope that we see some sort of resolution over the coming weeks for those families, those children and those living, although they are not really living but barely surviving, in Gaza.

Senator McGahon has asked for a debate on Uisce Éireann, which we will look for in the new term. Senator Victor Boyhan has raised concerns around rural housing guidelines that have yet to be published. The Minister is committed to publishing those guidelines. I would rather time be taken so that when they are published they are right and they actually work for rural communities but I take on board the Senator's comments. They are something that is sought, particularly by local authority members across the country.

Senator Higgins has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business. I am not prepared to accept the amendment but I take on board the Senator's position on same. The Senator has raised issues regarding parts of the Planning and Development Bill but we will get an opportunity to debate those in the course of Committee Stage of the Bill. I am conscious that the Bill is large. We are told it is about ten times the size of a regular Bill but that is why we are dedicating more than 20 hours of debate on Committee Stage to this Bill this week. I feel we are giving ample opportunity for debate and I have no doubt but that the Senator will be on her feet quite a bit over the next few days, which is very important. While I understand the Bill is huge and there is a lot to be discussed, I believe giving more than 20 hours to Committee Stage is adequate. We will, of course, have an opportunity for Report and Final Stages when we return in September.

Senator Gavan has raised the issue of the National Advocacy Service, as well the ongoing conflict in Gaza. I take on board the points the Senator has raised and I know it is not his first time raising the National Advocacy Service. It provides a hugely important service, particularly to vulnerable people who are in need of their advice and their support. I hope to see a resolution and I know the Minister is keen to get the matter resolved. We hope to see that brought to a conclusion over the next few weeks but I acknowledge it is a hugely important service right across the country for those involved.

Senator Dooley has asked for a debate around the budget in the new term, particularly regarding money being allocated for the recruitment of additional gardaí. The Senator has raised issues in relation to anti-social behaviour and crime. He spoke about a particular situation in Ennis, which as described by the Senator is deplorable in respect of that woman whose car was damaged by two thugs. I take on board the Senator's comments on the plight and scourge of drug dealing across the country and how that is feeding into criminality. The Senator raised an interesting point that some of these issues are not even being reported any more because they have become so commonplace. It is something we really have to work on.

Senator Paddy Burke agreed with the remarks of Senator Dooley. He also extended his sympathies on the passing of our late colleague, former Senator John O'Mahony. The Senator has also asked for a debate on artificial intelligence and new technologies and the impact it will have on jobs and wider society. He also extended a welcome to new Senator Nikki Bradley.

Senator Black put the arson attack in Coolock on the floor of the House. I read about that myself this morning. The scenes are shocking and it is absolutely despicable that anybody would set alight private property because they have an issue with migrant facility or facility to house refugees. That cannot be allowed to become the norm in this country. There have been far too many of those situations. It is criminal behaviour and I have no doubt but that the Garda will do everything it can to bring to justice those that were responsible for that arson attack. Anybody hanging around the area, and there are reports of certain individuals hanging around who just happened to be there and who are very vocal on social media, needs to be dealt with as well. We have to put a stop to this type of criminality because people do not feel safe in their communities now with this stuff going on. I thank the Senator for raising that really important issue.

Senator Davitt has raised concerns around a moratorium on data centres. My understanding is that there is no explicit moratorium on data centres and that is the position of EirGrid. However, there are certain requirements that must be met to get planning permission for a data centre, such as back-up generation and one must be close to a source of renewable energy, which might be challenging for some. We have to manage the issue properly. There is a report due out shortly on the matter. We need data centres to support the digital life we now live and that is across all services.We are all on our phones, living online and doing everything online, so we need data centres. We are home to some of the biggest tech companies in the world, which have their European headquarters here. There is a demand for these services. They consume a lot of energy and that is part of the balance that needs to be struck in terms of our climate targets, keeping emissions down and focusing on renewable energy. We can look for a debate in the new term on the issue, as it will unfold in the weeks ahead.

Senator Dolan congratulated Galway on the fantastic win yesterday. I extend my congratulations to the team and management and wish Galway and Armagh well in the final. It was a fantastic game yesterday and Galway did very well. I take on board Senator Dolan's comments on the regional bus network and the demand and need for it. There is a lot of debate about public transport and it tends to focus more on the cities. We have a lot of work to do, particularly in rural areas. For many people there is simply no alternative to the car and that is it. The bus service is patchy at best in many areas. We have made a lot of progress but it is still not convenient for people to use the bus service to get to work, college or appointments. For this reason, for the most part, they will always opt for the car. A focus on rural transport is as important as a focus on transport in our cities. Both have to go hand in hand. We will request a debate with the Minister on this in the new term.

Senator Fitzpatrick requested a debate with the Minister for Justice on crime and antisocial behaviour. She outlined to the House details of the public sentiment survey she and other colleagues in Fianna Fáil conducted in the Dublin area. I understand there was a significant response to it and more than 60% of respondents witnessed antisocial behaviour on public transport. This is an alarming figure by anyone's measurement I would think. There is job of work to be done to tackle it. There is a view that the city centre is not as safe as it should be for tourists or people living in the city.

Senator O'Reilly welcomed Senator Bradley and thanked all of the staff for their work. He made the point that the good budgetary situation we find ourselves in and the special Cabinet subcommittee on disability provide an opportunity for us to tackle waiting lists. There is certainly money there to deal with the issue but getting staff seems to be a massive challenge. I have become aware of cases recently in my area. Respite is a big challenge and giving parents or carers a break is a big issue that is not getting the support that it needs. We need to get staff into the service. Many parents and carers need some time to themselves and time off during the day, be it a few hours, an overnight or a weekend. It is a very important service for us to deal with, as are the waiting lists for the assessment of need. We have done a good bit of work but there is a long way to go.

Senator Murphy also asked for a debate on crime and antisocial behaviour. The case he outlined is not isolated, whereby people do not want to take up the offer of a house because of the situation in an estate. It is also happening in other areas. It poses several problems, with regard to crime and antisocial behaviour in an area and with the situation whereby there is a vacant house nobody wants to go into when we have a massive challenge with housing and waiting lists in some areas. It needs to be dealt with. It is a matter for gardaí locally. I am sure they are doing their best with resources and support to deal with it. The problem cannot be allowed to persist. If a house is available, it should be filled without delay.

Senator Conway raised the issue of carers with regard to the budget. He also said the report with regard to Aoife Johnston should bring about some much needed improvement in services. Again, we extend our condolences to Ms Johnston's family.

Senator Lombard supported the call for a debate on law and order with the Minister for Justice. He raised particular issues with regard to the Special Criminal Court and asked for a full debate on it. We will look for that debate in the new term.