No, it is true.

In fact, I spoke to the SIPTU representative today who told me that there are not 26 healthcare assistants, HCAs, there at the moment but only 22.

I have given the Minister the facts.

The Minister might also explain why it has taken a month for the CEO to respond to the three unions that work in UHL to agree to meet them after the changes that were made at the beginning of January. How does that make sense? The Minister might explain why doctors who published previous letters said, themselves, that a witch hunt was conducted by the management team, not to deal with the issue that these doctors raised, but to find out who publicised the issues. I wish to make clear that I have no confidence in th…

We need to see urgent action in terms of decisions by the Government, which are based on clinical advice. In the short term, because of the crisis, I am clear that we need to see accident and emergency units reopened in Nenagh General Hospital, St. John's Hospital in Limerick and Ennis General Hospital while we figure out what resources are needed and quickly action those items. We have had 11 years of Fine Gael failures and their pretending to be in opposition is not going to save them. The people of Limerick are …

It is good to see the Cathaoirleach in the Chair. I was away last week. I commend him for what he said a few moments ago on the tragedy of Ann Lovett's life. Quite rightly he cited the song by Christy Moore about the middle of the island. I have to say that even now the lyrics are absolutely powerful. I lived just a few miles away from Ann Lovett. The key line is "Everybody knew, nobody said". It is powerful and still resonates to this day. I wanted to acknowledge that. At present a conversation is kicking up in th…

Well said.

I congratulate Senator Buttimer on his election to the role of Cathaoirleach. I have confidence that he will be fair and independent and I wish him well in the role. I want to take a moment to recognise my friend and colleague Senator Joe O'Reilly. He wore the office of Leas-Chathaoirleach really lightly and performed in an extremely good fashion. It is a testament to him that he has so much support across the Chamber. I also want to join Senator Higgins in recognising the huge work he has done over approximately 1…

The Minister of State is very welcome. As we know, this Bill needs to be passed every year to allow the Department to spend the allocated moneys. It is a bit of housekeeping that has to be done. Of course, Sinn Féin will support the passing of the Bill. This debate gives me an opportunity to raise some local issues regarding capital spending or more frankly, the lack of capital spending. I will deal briefly with three topics, the first of which is housing. The Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, said last…

It must be Christmas.

Well said.

Well said.

I suspect I will not speak tomorrow, so I want to take this opportunity to thank the Cathaoirleach and recognise the work that he has done over the past couple of years and recognise the incredible support of the permanent staff here - Mr. Martin Groves, Ms Bridget Doody and all of the people in the Seanad. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his patience and perseverance with me. I want to raise something positive that is happening in Limerick in the Crescent Shopping Centre. A homeless emergency has gone on for a consi…

On a point of order, my apologies, but I forgot to commend Senator Seery Kearney. I want to commend her genuinely on the magnificent achievement in terms of that surrogacy issue. My apologies.

Well said.

I welcome the Minister. It is good to be able to talk about this welcome Bill. I should also point out that it has been brought forward because Ireland must fully transpose Articles 6 and 9 of the EU work-life balance directive. It is, therefore, something we have to do. I agree with Senator Currie that in some respects the Bill is a missed opportunity. It is a rare occurrence but the Senator is right that this is a missed opportunity. If we are going to do this, we may as well do it right and ensure it benefits ou…

I welcome the Minister of State and the general debate that we are having here this evening because it is quite clear that on a cross-party basis there is widespread support for Senator Boylan's Bill. I commend the Senator. As others have already said, she is really passionate and very knowledgeable about animal welfare issues. She has produced a very practical Bill this evening. The challenge for us, and it is a challenge that we have met before, is to unite around a common cause. I appeal to the Minister of State…

Is it? On a serious note, I believe it is important to recognise, and there has been collective agreement on this point, that we have a real problem with policing and enforcement. I refer to that awful incident with that poor child. My heart goes out to him and his family. We also have to be clear that what we need is enforcement and resources, otherwise new laws are not going to help the situation. Thanks to Senator Boylan I looked at figures for where I live in Limerick and there are just 2.5 dog wardens for 8,50…

Well said.

I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on yesterday's events. I wish to briefly comment on Shannon heritage sites, which are key for our tourism product across the mid-west. We know the Government has dropped the ball and that these sites should have been transferred to Clare County Council. What is completely inexplicable is the fact that absolutely nothing has been done since the budget and now the workers, whom I know and I know their union, SIPTU, very well, are now faced with being put on short time from the new yea…