Most Members will be familiar with the problems associated with pyrite and mica. However, they may not be aware that the schemes involving restitution for those affected by these issues are limited to certain areas, namely, counties Mayo and Donegal in respect of the defective block scheme and parts of counties Dublin and Meath in respect of pyrite. The pyrite scheme has been extended to cover County Limerick. It is about time for a national scheme to be put in place. A situation is developing in the county I know …

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate and I thank Senator Gavan who has a good understanding of the issues that arise at Shannon Airport. He and I share a lot in common on this particular issue. The facts of the matter are that the separation of Shannon Airport has not worked. There have been ups and downs and it has had some good periods and some bad periods but the reality is if we look at the increase in passenger numbers into Ireland over the period of time since 2013, Shannon Airport has fallen…

We should go back to the model that existed prior to the DAA, which was Aer Rianta. This would be the way. This is where we need to go in terms of the review talked about in the amendment. This is the outcome I would like to see from the process. We should come to the point that the three airports are together, not named according to one particular airport or another but with an overall authority. This could give us what we need. The Minister of State is right with regard to the assets of the old Shannon Developmen…

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and congratulate him on is recent appointment. I cannot overstate the impact that the pandemic is having on the aviation sector and all the ancillary businesses surrounding it, such as hospitality, tourism and business life in general. I can speak, with some level of experience, from the Clare perspective in the mid-west region, where Shannon Airport has been central to economic life for many generations. The unexpected fallout from Covid-19 has been devastating to the airport and th…

I thank the Cathaoirleach. As the Minister of State knows well, the Covid-19 pandemic has decimated the aviation industry and tourism sector. It is having a significant negative economic impact on the businesses and employees in the region. In County Clare alone, hotels, guesthouses and tourism attractions are such an important part of the economic life of our county and have been decimated as a result of what Covid-19 has done. We need to see now and to ensure, as we look to the other side of Covid-19 whenever tha…

I thank the Minister of State for her confirmation that her Department is looking at those targeted reports for services in those regions. Shannon's connectivity to London Heathrow and the east coast of the United States, namely, Boston and New York, are the key strategic routes that need Government intervention and targeted support. I hope that the Minister of State will be able to provide a level of security and certainty to the airport and airlines like Aer Lingus to ensure they are in a position to retain aircr…

I thank the Cathaoirleach. This is a political Chamber and we are used to political banter. In the context of the Secretary General of the Department to whom he referred, however, Senator Craughwell should retract his statement. That is a voluntary position and the individual concerned is entitled to sit on a voluntary board.

I do not see any conflict of interest. It is important that the Senator take cognisance of that and correct the record when next he has the opportunity to speak. We depend to a very large extent on removing politics from our Civil Service. We depend on civil servants regardless of who is in power, and to impugn the name or office of any one of them would be a retrograde step. An independent report compiled by Grant Thornton has been published today. It was commissioned by the Irish Postmasters Union, IPU, and it pr…

I welcome the opportunity to request bringing the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment before the Seanad. In recent weeks we have heard how the successful application of carbon tax is being used, under the just transition fund, to pump money into areas of the midlands that have suffered and will suffer significant economic losses as a result of the ending of the burning of peat in that region and its impact on jobs. For a long time now, I have believed that a similar extension is required to …

I welcome the Minister to the House. It is a great honour to be in a position to work with her. I have known her for a very long time and I am delighted that she is in this Department and particularly at the considerable successes she has had in her short time there. Like others, I feel a debt of gratitude for the way the Minister has handled interactions with politicians, the public and schools and the way she has been able to get people back to school and address the issues surrounding the leaving certificate. He…

I welcome the opportunity to have a conversation about this Bill. I compliment the Minister of State on her choice of face mask. I think it is very appropriate that it depicts native woodland. This is important legislation. We all recognise the necessity to clear the backlog of applications for various different licences. I am taken to a large extent by the contact that has been made with me by timber mills, the construction sector and other operations that will require a supply of timber. There is deep concern amo…

The House will be well aware of the considerable issues that have resulted from Covid-19 and of its impact on the tourism, hospitality and aviation sectors. It is appropriate that the Minister for Transport should appear before us to set out in a clear and concise way the Government's plans for reopening those sectors. The devastation caused to the lives and livelihoods of the many people attached to them cannot be underestimated. If we are to ensure that we protect the key infrastructure of our aviation sector, so…

Hear, hear.

Like other speakers, I also have some concerns about this area. It is important that at this stage a full explanation is given of what these measures are expected to achieve. The great success to date in containing the virus has not been necessarily due to the actions of An Garda Síochána or the authorities but due to the willingness of the Irish people to follow the public health guidelines, as set out. We have to be very careful in introducing these measures that we do not lose that level of public support and th…

I ask the Deputy Leader to arrange a debate with the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government at the earliest opportunity after we return from the summer recess to examine investment in water and sewerage infrastructure in rural areas in this country. In the county I know best, County Clare, there are four villages - Broadford, Cooraclare, Carrigaholt and Doolin - where there are no Irish Water assets. Raw sewage is pumped into local rivers and courses in a number of these areas, which is very damaging t…

I thank the Minister for coming to the House to discuss this unprecedented set of measures which none of us would have expected to be necessary. At a time like this it is right and appropriate for the State to invest taxpayers' money to shore up our economy and to keep our people safe during the pandemic. The Minister will be aware that the tourism sector is the sector most affected by the pandemic crisis. This is clear to all. We normally welcome 11 million tourists in a year. This year we will see virtually none.…

I ask the Leader to convey a couple of points to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. Members will be aware that in advance of the lockdown, a significant number of families and individuals bought airline tickets to take their annual holidays. Some have been unable to claim insurance because the flights went ahead. Many families and individuals have accepted the travel restrictions and stayed at home. They are not entitled to any refund. A fund should be established to give these people some reimbursement…

The Senator can pick his friends but not his family.

Unlike the stony grey soil.

I will avoid the formalities but I wish the Minister well in her Department. By now I am sure the Minister is well aware of a proposal by Shannon Group to close the tourist attraction facilities at Bunratty Folk Park together with King John's Castle at the end of August, a decision that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Of course, the decision is dressed up by the management and the board as a response to the fallout from Covid. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is a bad decision and will further un…