An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
Seanad Éireann — 2026-04-28
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Alison Comyn (FF), Nominated by the Taoiseach

I begin by marking Workers' Memorial Day today and remembering all those who lost their lives or were seriously injured through going to work. A ceremony was held today in the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin, which was a really important reminder that workplace safety can never be taken for granted. The figures are quite stark. Last year, 63 people lost their lives in workplace incidents, which was a 75% increase on the previous year. Thankfully, fatalities are lower so far this year but even one death is one too many. Behind every statistic is a devastated family and a community left grieving. Many of these incidents, as we know, happen in sectors that are hugely important to rural Ireland, including farming, fishing, transport and construction. Today should also be about renewing our focus on workplace safety and awareness.
I also welcome the fuel support measures announced today by the Taoiseach, Deputy Micheál Martin, for farmers, hauliers, contractors and fishers. These sectors have been under enormous pressure recently, as we all know, due to rising fuel costs. Practical supports like this are very important. Up to 120,000 farmers and 1,500 agricultural contractors will benefit and, combined with previous excise reductions, the measures amount to a reduction of €274 on every 1,000 litres of green diesel purchased.
In my remaining time, I will briefly raise the decision by my own local radio station, LMFM, which is based in Drogheda but broadcasts right across the north east, to discontinue its Sunday morning mass broadcast. I have received a huge number of messages from listeners, particularly older and more vulnerable people who are sometimes those who are taking care of somebody else or have mobility issues themselves. They are deeply upset by this decision. For so many people, especially those living alone or unable to attend church, this was not just a radio programme. They actually set their clocks to it. It was at nine o'clock on a Sunday morning and they wanted to hear their own local priest. It was part of their weekly routine and a really important source not just of communication and connection but of comfort. We have been told that online services are available but I know many elderly listeners to the radio station simply do not have the technology to try and stream something online. They were panicking looking for email addresses and everything. Turning on that radio station on a Sunday morning was a simple, familiar and accessible way for people to stay connected. As somebody who started their broadcasting career - dare I say it - almost 40 years ago in what was called Boyneside Radio at the time, it provides an amazing service with incredible current affairs, community services, etc. I would hate to see this one go by the wayside. I hope that some alternative arrangement could possibly be made, particularly for those people right across the north east because this service really was a lifeline.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-04-28/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:52+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-28