The Minister of State is fine.

The Minister is very welcome. This is going be a fascinating debate. I thank the Minister for his opening words, which were inspirational and educational. They certainly give real impetus in the context of the importance we need to place on science with regard to our lives, not just within the classroom but also in everything we do. I welcome the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group. The focus is on creating our future and having a national conversation between the general public, the research co…

We will split it. Senator Casey will go first.

I thank Senator Casey for giving us those very stark statistics regarding the impact of deer in Kildare and west Wicklow. As somebody who lives in Kildare, I have ongoing engagement with the Irish Farmers Association branches covering Kildare and west Wicklow. This issue has come up quite a number of times. Only recently, about three weeks ago, there was a consultation meeting on the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, with the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, in Kilcullen and farmers from west Wicklow brought up this is…

From what the Minister of State said, I feel that he has a grasp of the situation and he understands it. It is good that the licences have been given out and that the Departments are looking at re-establishing the Irish Deer Management Forum. Those actions are important. The Department within which the Minister of State is based must take responsibility for deer when they are associated with a TB problem. I accept that farmers can go so far in terms of licensing and hunting, etc., but when there is a TB problem and…

I thank the Minister of State.

I support the Order of Business. Yesterday, 8 November, was Equal Pay Day. Women in Ireland are effectively working for free for the final 14.4% of the year, according to research published today by WorkEqual. It is always important that we note Equal Pay Day because closing the gender pay gap is extremely important. Although legislation has been introduced in the form of the Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021, it only goes so far. We have made progress but there is much more that we need to do. I wish to raise an…

I welcome the Minister of State. We are glad to have her here for this important debate. I came across a quote recently and thought it worth sharing: "The human spirit is one of ability, perseverance and courage that no disability can steal away." I want to talk about spirit in a number of ways. The first is the Minister of State's own spirit. She has the spirit of empathy, courage and perseverance. I know first hand of personal interventions she has made to ensure that somebody can have the pathway they deserve, a…

I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. Today is international day against violence and bullying at school, including cyberbullying. UNESCO member states decided to designate it such because they recognise schools-based violence and cyberbullying are particularly difficult for children and adolescents. Cyberbullying has been increasing significantly, as we know. DCU has done a lot of research in this area which shows that, last year, 20% of our young people had experienced cyberbullying, with ano…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the issue of public transport and commend the Senators who tabled the motion. There is no doubt that we need to increase investment in public transport infrastructure. If we are to truly move to a greener society, live up to our obligations to reduce carbon emissions by 51% by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050 then people must increase their use of public transport. Connectivity is a particular issue. I am regularly contacted by constituents in Kildare South who complai…

There is a lot of excitement and debate about the COP26 summit, and that debate is very important. However, I want to register my disappointment and anger at the fact that the Israeli energy minister could not access the debate yesterday because she was in a wheelchair and there was no accessible transport for her to enter the summit. It was rectified today, but it sends a very bad message. Let it be a lesson to all of us that, anywhere we are organising anything, there has to be an absolutely accessible place for …

The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, is very welcome to the House. I invite him to make his opening statement.

I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. Before today's Order of Business we received news that the restrictions in regard to partners attending maternity appointments and labour will be lifted from 1 November within the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. every day. This is welcome news. We all acknowledge that babies are born between the hours of 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. At the same time we must be cognisant of the public health restrictions and reduced staff on duty during those hours. I pay tribute to all the…

I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader.

Today is World Osteoporosis Day. We must encourage people, particularly women, to make bone health a priority. A recent survey carried out by GPs found that 92% of those who suffer from osteoporosis were surprised with their diagnosis, and that the diagnosis came only after a fracture. Therefore, it is important that people, particularly women over 65, take the opportunity to have a DEXA scan. Early diagnosis is important. I suffer from osteoporosis. I discovered it when I was 30 after a car accident. I was not par…

To clarify, only spokespersons are allowed to contribute. I acknowledge that Senator Paddy Burke is in the Chamber and wished to speak but only one speaker is allowed per grouping. I thank Members for their contributions.

It is absolutely the great county of Kildare. I am glad the Acting Chairman said that. I welcome the Minister of State, and I hope he will take on board the comments and points I will make. I certainly welcome any answers he has. "Water is the lifeblood of our bodies, our economy, our nation and our well-being." That is a quote from Mr. Stephen Johnson, a former head of the American Environmental Protection Agency, and it rings completely true to us. I know the Minister of State is familiar with Kildare, where Ball…

I appreciate that it has been acknowledged that there were clear communication failures in what happened with the Ballymore Eustace and Gorey supplies. We have to ensure that does not happen again. I appreciate the plants are now stable and operating normally, are producing clean and wholesome water and the refresher training has been put in place for all staff. That is very important. The Minister of State has mentioned very significant investment of €1.57 billion next year, which is an incredible amount of money.…

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil party, I join the Cathaoirleach in sending sympathies to the family and, indeed, to the Westminster family of Sir David Amess. He was a very fine and distinguished parliamentarian. I also send condolences to the families of Máire Mhac an tSaoi and Brendan Kennelly. At a time when coarse language is something that is used all too often, we had two wonderful poets who espoused the positive use of language. We are the poorer for their loss but the richer for their having lived. I will supp…

I accept that but sentencing should reflect the crime. We have to take into account the impact on children. I raise also the issue of derelict sites. I have become aware of a number of derelict sites within my town of Newbridge and around south County Kildare that are owned by investment funds. They are a blight on the estates on which they are situated. Dumping is going on and young people are hanging around, yet it is difficult for Kildare County Council, in this instance, to secure the property because of the le…