I want to raise the serious issue of respite in west Cork. It is a matter I have spoken about in the House previously. Members know I do not mince my words when I speak on matters, and to say the respite service in west Cork is a disgrace at the moment is nothing short of the truth. The front page of today's Southern Star notes that 20 parents of families with disabilities have sent a solicitor's letter to CoAction and the Minister in terms of respite provision in west Cork. As we all know, to send a solicitor's le…

I will just take a couple of minutes, not the full six minutes. I am delighted for the Minister of State to be here and I am delighted to take part in this debate. On two Saturdays during the summer just gone, I visited Sailability Kinsale with local councillor, Marie O'Sullivan. What an experience I had on those Saturdays. Sailability Kinsale is a volunteer-led organisation working in conjunction with Kinsale Yacht Club. It takes people with disabilities out on the water every Saturday morning for 20 weeks. It wou…

I want to share in what my colleagues have said and welcome the report of the drugs committee. Our colleagues in the Seanad have put such vital work into it. I agree with the call that it should be a permanent committee. We should have a debate in this House on drugs use, drugs policy and what we are doing as a State. I honestly admit that I have reservations about the decriminalisation of drug use, but that is my personal view. It obviously cannot just be the criminal justice system that is involved in this issue …

I too welcome David and Veronica to the Gallery on what is an important and emotional day for the French family. As someone who comes from west Cork, I am not too far from Leap. The French family has had widespread support from the people of west Cork in their campaign since the brutal murder of their sister. I genuinely thank the Minister for his work on this Bill. I know that David, whom I have met on a number of occasions, expresses deep gratitude for the Minister’s work on this. I acknowledge that. There is fur…

I wish to discuss the issue of social media. It has been discussed many times in this Chamber and by various committees. It has been an ongoing national conversation for a number of years. I welcome news that the UK is introducing a ban to those under 16. Whether a "ban" is the right word or not, I do not know. I welcome the words of the Tánaiste yesterday where he outlined that it is going to be a priority of his and the Government during our EU Presidency to put the issue on the agenda and that if the EU does not…

I fully agree with the Minister. In terms of practical experience, if you have suspicion to search a vehicle, you may well be of the opinion an offence may be carried out. The person operating the vehicle may well leave the scene and that has been the case. The requirement for the person to stay on the scene is practical, common sense and necessary. Senator McDowell made the point that the person may leave the scene for a particular genuine reason. That is actually covered by the wording "as may be appropriate". Fr…

It certainly is an opportune time for Carbery Macra to be in the Chamber. It is opportune that the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, is also in attendance. After 18 months in his position, I think it is first time that I have addressed him in the Chamber, so I would like to congratulate him on his appointment last year to the position of Minister of State. What an honour it is for him personally and for his family across west Cork. It is very fitting that Carbery Macra would be here. We are discussing rural pla…

As the Acting Leader knows, as public representatives we deal with a lot of different issues, projects in our community and a whole multitude of issues but sometimes we meet some really inspiring people who leave a mark on us and who display immense courage. I met such an individual yesterday evening. Emma O'Shea, from Ballylickey near Bantry, is 26 years of age and suffers from Friedreich's ataxia. To be honest, in my years in public service one of the most difficult encounters I have had was to talk to someone su…

I have raised in the House a number of times the issue of infrastructure development in our towns and villages across the country, primarily for me in west Cork. Thankfully, we are seeing houses being built in many of our towns. We are seeing hundreds of homes being built in the towns of Bandon and Clonakilty. While we are coming to terms with the infrastructure around that in terms of wastewater and water facilities and services, there is a need to audit the towns for amenities and social infrastructure as well. W…

I wish to share in the comments made by my colleagues congratulating Deputies Seán Kyne and Daniel Ennis on their election to the Lower House. The comments about our former colleague, Seán Kyne, from across the floor have been a tribute to him as a man of sincerity and decency and a man willing to work with all of us in this House. The vote, and the transfers, showed that over the weekend as well. I genuinely wish him the best of luck. It is a symbol of the man he is that he has promised to be a better and more har…

I want to praise the Minister of State and the Office of Public Works for the development of flood schemes across west Cork in the past ten to 15 years. The towns of Bandon, Clonakilty and Skibbereen have been protected from floods for many years ahead. Some of these towns are going through public realm works. We see footpath improvements, pavement works and town enhancements. The "but" is that Bantry is a town I want to see delivery on. The Minister of State is a man who has worked hard on flood schemes in his own…

I second the motion. The Minister of State is welcome to the Chamber for this important debate. I would like to acknowledge a friend of mine Michael O'Sullivan from Rosscarbery who was laid to rest on Monday last. He recently celebrated his 90th birthday. Mick had served 39 years as a member of an Garda Síochána. He was much more than a garda; he was a community man at heart. Significantly and deservedly, he was awarded the 2016 overall West Cork Hero award. At the time of receiving his award, his words were that h…

No garda and no family member should be targeted or intimidated for doing their job. Respect for gardaí is fundamental to the rule of law in this country. At the same time, gardaí must feel protected in how they carry out their duties. That is why proposals such as a separate driving licence classification for gardaí on duty deserves serious consideration. Members should not face uncertainty when making decisions in the course of protecting the public. Clarity around pursuit driving and operational policy is essent…

I thank the Minister of State for being here. I also welcome the students from County Cork. It is always good to see Cork people in the Chamber. I am substituting for my colleague, Senator Manus Boyle, today. They are big shoes to fill, but I will address some of his thoughts on this matter. At the outset, I commend the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy Heydon, on their roles in bringing forward these fuel subsidies for fishing, commercial and inshore, and for all sectors, including farming, transport and …

There are many discussions at the moment around the fuel crisis, the energy crisis, Government supports and our energy policy as a nation. The Barryroe oil field is a topic that is raised quite a lot in west Cork and in recent times local media and national media have raised the issue. Not just in recent weeks, I have been engaging with the Ballyroe oil field. I met them long before this fuel protest in recent weeks. I have spoken to many in west Cork to sound out the views of people, including party members in Fin…

The Minister is welcome to the Chamber. We are living in unprecedented times. I think that is not a cliché that can be overused enough at the moment. I respect that the Minister is living through a crisis that is directly affecting his Department and I want to compliment him on how he is handling the crisis, for the Minister's engagement with us as Oireachtas Members, and with the organisations that are deeply affected by the crisis we are living in. We had quite an honest debate here last Tuesday in the Chamber wh…

I propose that notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders or the order of the House today, the statements on homelessness shall adjourn at 6.30 p.m., if not previously concluded.

On my drive up today, as I do most weeks, I reflected on my role in politics and the job I do. I have been involved in public service for 15 years, be it as a local councillor, as a member of An Garda Síochána or now having the honour of being a member of Seanad Éireann. In public service or in any walk of life, as a human being or being involved in a Government party, it is a sign of strength when you come out and admit you could have done better or that we got something wrong or that we need to improve on things.…

I thank the Minister of State for being here and I genuinely welcome this debate. I spoke earlier on the Order of Business and I was quite straight, honest and direct in what I had to say. On reflection, the key message is probably that in government, as human beings, we all need to take stock at times, reflect, come back and try and do things better. In government, we have that, so that is the key message. I also welcome the widespread and common sense debate that has been had on our democracy and protecting our d…

The Minister of State is very welcome and I thank him for being here. The condition of coastal infrastructure in west Cork, indeed throughout the country, particularly piers and slipways is the subject of my Commencement matter. Our coastal infrastructure facilities are not luxuries. They are lifelines for many in our community. They support fishing families, connect island communities and sustain tourism in some of the most economically important parts of rural Ireland and yet many are deteriorating. Years of unde…