I echo the remarks of colleagues in thanking and praising the Cathaoirleach and the Seanad team for the organisation of the event yesterday. I was also delighted to see music incorporated into it. I hope we hear music more regularly in these halls. I have some concerns about unintended consequences of the proposed new regulations on short-term letting. Nobody wants to see people gaming the system to try to avoid the planning regulations. I am worried about the impact the new regulations may have on holiday homes, p…

I ask the Acting Leader about reports concerning the continuing cost overruns at the national children's hospital. As he knows, the original plan was that the national children's hospital would cost €987 million. The capital budget approved by the Government then ran to €1.433 billion. When I had a Commencement matter on this at the end of March, I was assured by the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, that we were looking at a cost of €1.7 billion. That is not a criticism of him, as he spoke on the basis of figures…

I thank the Minister of State for taking the question. With regard to the primary care centre in Gorey, I note the words used by the Minister of State were that the "process was almost complete", which is the same answer I got previously and the time before that. I do not see why we cannot proceed. I realise there is an issue around parking but if everything else can proceed, let us, for want of a better phrase, park that issue and resolve it separately. We need the primary care centre. The parking issue can be res…

Today, I wish to raise the case of Alejandro Miszan, the nine-year-old boy from Enniscorthy who was mauled by a pitbull at the weekend. The story is covered by the media. It is told in particular detail by Ms Amy Molloy in the Irish Independent but Alejandro's brother, Raul, was on RTÉ as well this morning outlining the impact that this incident has had. The injuries that this nine-year-old has suffered are life-changing but this event has not only impacted on him; it has also impacted on his family, on those who w…

I am object to this dog-whistle approach.

There is no problem discussing facts.

I am conscious that today we are marking nine months since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We will shortly be joined by the Ukrainian ambassador, H.E. Larysa Garasko, and that a motion around the Ukrainian man-made famine and genocide will be moved in this House. I strongly support this motion. Ireland's strong support for Ukraine continues to be evident. This is a very difficult period for that country but we must continue to hold to account the dictatorships in place in both Russia and Belarus. Yesterday, I was …

For the record-----

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I thank the Minister for taking this issue on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan. While I appreciate that the Office of Public Works, OPW, is not his direct area of responsibility, this matter relates to the Coast Guard in Courtown, an area of the world the Minister is very familiar with. He will know that the Coast Guard in Courtown does not just service the north Wexford area, but also Arklow and much of south Wicklow. I join in the congratulations to the Coast Guard, w…

I thank the Minister. Unfortunately, we seem to have progressed at a glacial pace on this issue. I am concerned about it because the council had identified potential sites and it was not going to leave them sitting around. Potential private sites were also identified. The money has been provided for the purchase of a site. The Coast Guard is very keen that the acquisition would progress. The Minister is aware of the vital work the Coast Guard does in coastal communities. I am disappointed because the situation has …

I welcome the students from Riverchapel National School to the Seanad today. Rivertown and Courtown are beautiful parts of north Wexford. The students have been assured that if they behave themselves on the way home, they will not have any homework for the rest of the week. That is a political promise that can be delivered on. I wish to raise today the issue of vaping. While it was a very welcome decision by Cabinet yesterday to proceed with restrictions on the sale and advertising of vaping products, I am concerne…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I join in paying tribute to those who serve and have served in our Defence Forces and their families. This debate has very much been around whether Ireland should join particular organisations. That is not what this debate is about. It is about the question of the kind of world we wish to see; the values we as Irish people wish to articulate on a global level and what will inform those. We all wish to see a safer world. We all wish to see a world in which the values and principles we ho…

I second Senator O'Loughlin's proposed amendment to the Order of Business. I agree with the comments by Senators Hoey and Ruane on the importance of language and how we all have a responsibility to welcome refugees and asylum seekers to this country and challenge those who spread misinformation and untruths. I equally commend the contribution of Senator Buttimer highlighting the tragic events in Colorado and pointing out, once again, the disgrace that was the decision by FIFA to award the hosting of the World Cup t…

I raise the ongoing development of Rosslare Europort. It has been one of the success stories of Brexit and there are very few of those. We have seen an increase in freight trade to continental Europe from Rosslare of up to 450% on pre-Brexit annual turnaround. One of the challenges, however, is that the M11 that links Dublin with Rosslare Europort is a great road as far as the village of Oylegate. At that point, though, it forces all of the traffic through the village. The road infrastructure linking the port is no…

Like others, I welcome our guests and commend the work of the Irish Cancer Society. Cancer impacts all of us. As Senator Casey said, we do not know who will be affected by cancer next. The Minister of State will be aware that our colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, has spoken bravely about how she has recently dealt with cancer. It is something that impacts all aspects of Irish society. The Minister of State is a caring and empathetic person who I know agrees with the objectives of this legislation. As…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I appreciate that he is taking this matter on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs. When he was Fianna Fáil spokesperson on foreign affairs, he very much upheld a strong tradition of speaking about the importance of human rights. In our relationship with any country, and indeed in our engagement with multilateral organisations, human rights should be at the core. I welcome recent statements in that regard, including that of the Minister, Deputy Coveney, in an interview with…

I thank the Minister of State. I appreciate some of the concerns are being raised, but frankly I do not feel we are going far enough. Let us imagine, for instance, the outcry if the British Government decided to open a police station on Capel Street. Yet, the Chinese authorities seem to be able to do this. This is part of its extraterritorial reach around the world. We talk about reports from the United Nations on crimes against humanity, yet we are not taking a strong enough line on what is happening. We must set …

I, too, join in the expressions of sympathy to the late Vicky Phelan. I raise today the issue of fire services and retained fire services. As the Leader is aware, outside the main cities we rely very much on fire services operated by local authorities. As a result of the model that is currently in place, fire services across the country are experiencing many difficulties in recruitment and retention. The fire staff are paid a retainer, but, for that, they are expected to remain close to the fire station and could b…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach. I also thank him for his very kind welcome to the students from Tara Hill national school. I also wish to formally second the proposal of my colleague, Senator O’Loughlin. I agree with Senator Gavan on the pandemic payments. I have raised this issue with the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, who cannot figure out why these payments are not being made. The money was set aside for it and I must very much question the HSE inefficiency in this regard. This does not just in…

I agree with my colleague, Senator Clonan, on the importance of involving artists with disabilities. He has made his points very well. I know from talking to artists with a disability that they are concerns that are reflected within the sector. I thank the Minister because she personally is very invested in this matter. When she appeared before our Oireachtas committee, she provided real leadership on this issue. She has put her money where her mouth is and taken on board the recommendations made by our committee, …