The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (Section 95(3)) (Variation of title: Chiropodist) Regulations 2022, referral to committee, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, the Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022 - Committee Stage (Resumed), to be taken at 2.15 p.m. and to adjourn at 4.30 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 3, motion regarding arrangements for the address to Seanad Éireann by Congressman Richard Neal, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. in accordance with the arrangements set out in the motion agreed by the House on Thursday, 19 May 2022.
An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
I agree with the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. I want to raise a number of issues, the first of which is the national retrofitting scheme that was announced by the Government last February. It would be welcome to have an opportunity to have this conversation with the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, when we get a chance. As it stands there are only five designated one-stop shops that have made it through the registration process to facilitate the deep retrofit of homes. Before the new scheme was launched back in February, there were around 20 companies one could go to for that service in the old scheme that was operational last year.
It is my understanding that some of those companies are still in the process of registering with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, but it is taking a lot longer than they would have anticipated, and I am sure longer than the public would have anticipated. On the SEAI website, the one-stop shop grants information section has five companies or operators listed. At the bottom of that page it states that it is getting a lot of calls and emails, which is understandable, and that people can expect to wait. It makes it tricky to deliver on the targets we have set if people cannot even access the service. It would be welcome to get an update on why it is taking so long to re-register companies that were already providing the service and that were very much up to speed on what the new scheme was going to do, and why it is taking so long to get them back up as registered companies to do the one-stop shop service. I am sure that the five companies listed are finding it difficult to cope with the demand that is there.
I acknowledge and congratulate the author Sally Rooney, who comes from my county of Mayo and who has been named in Time magazine's list of 100 most influential people. She is a fantastic role model. We are extremely proud of her in Mayo. I congratulate her and her family on her fantastic achievements. As somebody who is really only starting out in her career, I have no doubt she will go on to do even more great things.
I wish to raise the issue, as many colleagues have done over the past months, of the passport service. It is still experiencing huge delays. It would appear the adult passport service is no problem. If one is renewing a passport as an adult, the service is absolutely super. A person can have his or her passport back in a day or two, which is phenomenal. However, trying to get a child's passport for the first time is an absolute nightmare. All of us, as public representatives, are dealing with a huge number of queries and representations on the issue. Many families have been saving for the past year, have booked the family holiday, and are waiting on their child's passports. Families cannot go on their holidays and are losing that money. It is not a luxury to get a passport. The passport service is not doing people a favour by giving them passports. As a citizen of this State, a person is entitled to that really important document. There really is no excuse for it taking three to four months to deliver a child's passport. Perhaps we could try to encourage the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Passport Office. Is there a shortfall in staff or resources, or whatever? We get an increase in demand every year at this time of year because of the summer holidays. It is anticipated and foreseen. Let us make plans to increase the support in the Passport Offices to deliver the passports. This would take that strain off parents and, hopefully, people can get their holidays in.
I welcome the announcement by An Bord Pleanála that planning permission has been granted for the Celtic interconnector between Ireland and France. This is hugely important for energy supply and for the exchange of electricity between Ireland and France. I hope that one day it will be part of an exporting cable for naturally produced wind energy as well. In the meantime, we will be takers of electricity from France. This connectivity to a European Union partner is hugely important for energy security. I certainly welcome the decision. We often give out about delays in the planning process but, thankfully, this is something that has now been granted by An Bord Pleanála.
I was at an Irish Farmers Association, IFA, meeting last night in Corofin in Galway organised by the Connacht IFA on the concerns around import costs and food security in the coming year. It was a well-attended event. The EEC was established to ensure the security of supply of food across the European Union after the ravages of World War II. It was hugely important. In some way, perhaps the Union has become a little complacent over the years and thought that this was no longer an issue. The illegal invasion of Ukraine and the war there has put a different perspective on that, which is worrying. The message from some of the farmers yesterday was that there was concern now around the supply of food in the Union. Import costs are a huge concern with regard to fertiliser and meal. Ukraine is regarded as the breadbasket of Europe and perhaps people were not as aware of its importance until issues arose because of the war and supply constraints. The farmers are gravely concerned about the cost of fertiliser and the supply of fertiliser into the future.
I welcome all the supports that have been provided by the Government and the Minister and Ministers of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I look forward to the details of the fodder scheme that is due to be announced. This could see a payment of up to €1,000 for farmers. That will mitigate some of the costs and is extremely important. However, I ask for a debate on agriculture, food supplies and food security in the coming weeks. We still have a chance to ensure that there will be no fodder shortage next winter or in the early spring, and it behoves us all to ensure that everything is put in place to ensure that such a shortage does not happen.
I second what Senator Kyne just said. Every word of that is important, but we also need to broaden this to address the terror many of us feel at what may be facing other parts of the world as well as a result of the threat to the grain supply coming out of Ukraine. We think of the populations of countries in the Middle East, such as Egypt, south-east Asia and north Africa. The populations of these countries are going to suffer enormously if the grain harvest from Ukraine cannot be got out of that country. The world is very big and we, sometimes rightly, feel we are very small. Listening to the debate about this and news of the proposal from Lithuania that there be some kind of coalition of the willing to get the grain out through the Black Sea past Russian warships, it is terrifying to think that might not be possible. We are facing into the next six or seven weeks when the grain will be ready. What is going to happen to it then? I was listening to former President McAleese on "The Late Late Show" on one occasion being sharply critical of the Russian ambassador and feeling at the time that approach was perhaps ill-advised. If there is ever an argument for a small, neutral country raising its voice, even in this dreadful time of hatred and degradation from Russia, surely we should be trying to create some diplomatic space to be a persuader, even in the midst of all this horror and for some recognition the less fortunate and most vulnerable people of the world must not be forced into a situation of hunger and starvation. I ask for a debate that will take on board fully the importance of the issues Senator Kyne has raised but that will also focus on the people in the other parts of the world who are really going to suffer if a solution is not found.
If I may, I would like to use the rest of my time to mention an important name, albeit one perhaps not as well-known to people in Ireland as it should be. The name is Titus Brandsma. I was in Whitefriar Street Church on Sunday, as was the Dutch ambassador, for a ceremony to mark the recent canonisation of St. Titus Brandsma, who surely is a hero for our times. He was a Carmelite friar who resisted Nazi propaganda going into Catholic, and indeed other, media. He spoke out strongly against the persecution of Jews and the infringement of basic human rights by the Nazi occupiers. He died in Dachau in 1942 by lethal injection. He was called "the dangerous little friar" by the Gestapo. The account of how it arrived at the Carmelite friary at Nijmegen to arrest him is quite harrowing. The remarkable thing is that the nurse who gave him his lethal injection returned to her faith because she observed that he had compassion for her. This man had an almost supernatural capacity to not hate his enemies, despite the horrors they were inflicting on him and others. He spoke out boldly for freedom in the midst of tyranny - freedom of individual conscience, freedom of religion and freedom of the press. It is appropriate that we honour people like him. They exist in our world, they come forward from time to time and they witness against the horror and depravity others wreak on our world. They should be celebrated for their inspiring example even if all of us, or most of us, feel we would never be able to follow that example.
I thank the Senator for his contribution and for remembering somebody who showed generosity to everyone, including his enemies.
The window we have for climate action, especially in the midlands, is very exciting. It is an opportunity for us to define our identity for decades ahead.
It is imperative for us in government to bring people along the way as we do this.
Henry Ford's combustion engine drove the transport revolution in Ireland in the early 20th century. It led to a move from horses to cars that were available in any colour as long as it was black, and available to people who could afford them. There was no State aid and no possibility of any money back for use. It was a revolution that became inevitable very quickly but many people were left behind for decades. Solar panels, which are also only available in black as far as I am aware, can be installed on a roof in a matter of weeks. The scheme would be supported by a Government grant and has the potential to reduce one's energy bill through the self-consumption of the energy produced or through payment for the excess energy that is not used. As inevitable as the motor car was 100 years ago, the economics continue to go only way with renewables. The choice is how quickly we transition and how democratically.
In the midlands, we are to be further supported through the EU Just Transition Fund, which will likely open for applications later this year. My vision is that the fund will be used to help community-driven projects to literally take power into their own hands. Last week, saw an announcement of provisional offers in the renewable energy support scheme, which is the Government's way of supporting grid-scale renewable energy projects through a series of auctions. A higher level of support is payable to those projects that are 100% community owned. Calling a solar company about installing panels on a roof is relatively easy to do but the idea of starting a community project may be very daunting. Thankfully, the work is already under way and people can join in. For example, in Laois, Offaly and Westmeath there are about 35 sustainable energy communities that have an interest in community-led renewable energy.
As well as speaking to people in the midlands, in recent months I have travelled from Donegal to south Kerry, to Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Limerick and Clare. Last week I was closer to home in Kildare as part of biodiversity week. The common theme everywhere I go is that people understand the need for climate action and they want to do what they can to get involved. To everyone who wants to play their part in this great transition of our time, I suggest three easy steps to build on one's own personal climate action this week. The first is to get a quote for a solar panel, the second is to reach out to the nearest sustainable energy community and see how it can benefit you and your environment and the third is to sit down at one's kitchen table and plan. Many of us do this for our family budget so why not for a carbon budget?
Speaking for my own constituency in Laois-Offaly, I know this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to redefine the midlands, breathe life into the region through job opportunities and service, and to drive collective ways of working in transport, energy and in the circular economy social enterprises. Let us lead the way in the midlands and set ourselves the goal of being the best area in western Europe for positive community-based climate action.
I thank the Minister of State.
I salute the An Lá Dearg protest that took place in Belfast at the weekend. Anyone who watched it on television would say that it was spectacular. There must have been at least 20,000 people there. Even though my colleague, Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile, is quite a young man, I noticed that most of the people who took part were younger than him. It was such a vibrant and powerful protest. Of course, their key ask is absolutely just and it is that we see Acht na Gaeilge made law in the North. I express my solidarity and support for all of those who took the time to protest last Saturday and wish them continued success in their campaign.
The second topic I want to raise concerns what is happening in our hospitals at the minute. I tabled a Commencement matter on medical laboratory scientists but I wish to put the following on the record again. I cannot for the life of me understand how this Government has allowed this strike to come about given that it had six months since the strike notice was given last November to sit down and have concrete, meaningful negotiations with these workers. I am genuinely at a loss as to why that has not happened. To hear the statement repeated to me this morning by a junior Minister that the Minister for Health is very disappointed misses the point. We need to see the Minister engage meaningfully. There is a solution for every industrial dispute but it takes both sides to make that happen. These people did not want to go on strike and they were very clear about that when I met them, so we need to see action.
In a similar vein, I am concerned about University Hospital Limerick. Again, I wish to express solidarity with the laboratory scientists there, in particular. As members will know, a task force was established to solve the ongoing crisis in University Hospital Limerick. That is a good thing and is something we have sought for a long time. I am, therefore, flabbergasted to report that so far, the task force has met a number of times but has not even asked for a meeting with any of the unions.
Given that the staff are keeping that hospital going, it is astounding that it has not even occurred to the task force to reach out to SIPTU and the nurses' unions to ask them what the problems are. Unfortunately, that is the case at present. I am very much at a loss in that regard. As always, I call for a further debate on University Hospital Limerick because of the depth of the crisis there and what is facing us next winter.
Regarding the comments on passports, again, I am astounded at the statement by the Department of Foreign Affairs that there is no backlog in passports. It made that statement this morning. At one point last week, all four Sinn Féin representatives were on the telephone to the Passport Service. I am sure it is the same for Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Independent Members. It is astounding to say there is no backlog.
Finally, I pay tribute to Cathal Coughlan, an amazing singer with Fatima Mansions and Microdisney. He was a great Irishman and a complete genius who unfortunately died far too young at the age of 61 years at the weekend. I wish to put that on the record.
He will be remembered from town to town.
Well said.
I wish to raise the issue of dereliction in our towns and cities. A report has just been published by the Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the issue of dereliction. We have worked on this issue for a number of months and have reached a cross-party and broad-based consensus on some of the issues that have to be tackled in order to tackle dereliction. Unfortunately, some of the indications we see coming from the Department are that there are no low-hanging fruit when it comes to dereliction and that a vacant sites tax will not bring in much money, so it is not worth doing and administering. That is very worrying.
The issue of dereliction is not just about raising money and taxes. It is to try to bring properties that could be used as housing back into use or if they could be used for something else they could be brought back into use as smaller businesses. If the owners cannot do that, there should be a tax on them so they will sell them on to somebody else who can afford to do it. Dereliction is a blight. It is not just one of the underlying causes of the housing crisis, it is also a blight on our towns and cities and it causes anti-social behaviour according to the broken-window theory.
I will outline some of the suggestions on which there is that cross-party, broad-based consensus. The first is to collect the proper amount of data on what is actually derelict and then categorise that information and break it down. Some of it may be housing, some might be otherwise. Some may have issues with probate, but some could potentially be brought back into use. We should include things such as a vacant homes tax. For example, if somebody got permission for residential use and it is registered and zoned as residential, a vacant homes tax should apply to it if it is willfully being left vacant. That applies to, for example, my village of Chapelizod. Half of it could be brought back into use for housing, but instead, it is lying there derelict.
The second one is a zoned land tax. The vacant sites tax had so many exemptions that it did not work. However, the zoned land tax that has been passed also has exemptions. I am afraid that by the time it is implemented, two years hence and at a lesser rate, there will be so many exemptions it will not be worthwhile. We have to look at streamlining the appeals process around that.
Finally, there should be an expansion of the definition of what is derelict. Often, the legal interpretation that local authorities have of what is derelict is very different from what we or people on the street know and see as being derelict. Each local authority should have a derelict sites section. It could emulate the amazing work that the repair and lease scheme has done in places such as Waterford and Louth in terms of tackling dereliction in a city.
I ask the Leader for a debate on that. I believe we are proposing that time be put aside in both Houses to have a debate on the report. I cannot emphasise enough that a vacant homes tax in Housing for All and in the programme for Government is an essential part of the response because sometimes, people wilfully leave property that could be used for housing vacant. I can point to a number of places in my constituency where that is the case and local authorities cannot take action on it. We need to have carrots for people, but we also must introduce the sticks to try to get people to bring good land that is connected to services back into use.
If I may, I will dedicate most of my time to the wonderful successes of Lisa O'Rourke and Amy Broadhurst. Lisa O'Rourke was the winner of the women's world elite boxing championship in Istanbul. Castlerea, County Roscommon, was alive and kicking at the weekend. Thousands of people turned out. Tears of absolute joy were shed for a beautiful young woman who is very involved with her community. She is a leader in that community and has a quiet manner. Of course, her sister, Aoife, also has had great success in Europe. We congratulate them. If it is in order and if the House agrees, perhaps we could write to Lisa O'Rourke and Amy Broadhurst to congratulate them because this certainly was historic. It is absolutely fantastic and brilliant. It was very uplifting not only for Castlerea and County Roscommon, but for all of Ireland. The celebrations have been absolutely fantastic.
I also want to acknowledge the fact that I attended a meeting of farmers in Galway late last night. They have concerns and issues. I know the Minister is engaging constantly with Oireachtas Members and farm leaders. There are many difficulties ahead in light of the Ukrainian war. While the price of beef is extraordinarily good at the moment, the benefit is being taken away by the costs involved, particularly in respect of silage and fertiliser. I wanted to acknowledge that and to say that my colleagues and I, as Members of the Oireachtas, are aware of this and are working on it. I am sure we will have some solutions in the weeks ahead.
Last September, I tabled a Commencement matter on the human papillomavirus, HPV, vaccine. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, came in on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and committed to eliminating the charge for the catch-up vaccination. I was quite disappointed when this was then referred to the national immunisation advisory committee, NIAC, because what this vaccine has achieved speaks for itself. I was even more disappointed when it was not included in the women's health strategy published last April. Having said that, I am an eternal optimist. I tabled a Commencement matter on this issue last week because six months had elapsed since the last. Unfortunately, due to other demands on the Cathaoirleach, he was not in a position to accept that matter. I am thankful that, on Friday evening, it was announced that the cost of the HPV vaccine is to be eliminated for everybody under 25, irrespective of when it is taken. Anybody taking a vaccination as part of a catch-up programme will, therefore, not have to pay the €400 to €600 cost, which is quite punitive, especially if a number of members of a family did not, for whatever reason, take the vaccine when in first year at school. I hope that we will now see an uptake rate of close to 100% in first year at school and that there will be no need for a catch-up programme but, for the next period of time, there will be a need for one.
I seek a debate, or even statements, at some stage outlining the detail of the catch-up programme, where it is going to be rolled out, the type of information campaign that will be associated with it and, more broadly, the kind of information campaign there will be in respect of the HPV vaccine for secondary schools next September and onwards. Information is key. If the facts are put out there, people will get the vaccination. The messaging around this and the use of modern technology such as social media and so on is critically important. I spoke in the media yesterday with Laura Brennan's parents, Larry and Bernie. They are absolutely delighted that everybody under 25 years of age will now be able to access the HPV vaccination free of charge. It is a fitting tribute to the phenomenal campaigning work the late Laura Brennan did in the period before she passed from this world. We can never forget Laura's legacy and what she did for health, and women's health in particular, in this country. Her legacy will live on but we still have to keep our finger on the pulse to ensure information campaigns are rolled out in association with the catch-up programme and to persuade people in first year at school to take the vaccine.
That is critically important because that is how we will honour the legacy of her great work and commitment to Irish society.
We learned yesterday about the obscene amount of wealth that has been accumulated by billionaires in this country and around the world since the Covid pandemic began. According to Oxfam, the wealth of the world's billionaires rose more in the past two years than it had in the previous 23 combined. In Ireland, billionaires have increased their worth by more than €15 billion since the start of the pandemic. This highlights very starkly the scourge of social inequality and an economic system that is rigged in favour of those at the very top. We know that the wealth is created by workers, by those who fail to share in the value that they create. The Leader should schedule a debate on the Oxfam report and also on whether this country should implement a wealth tax, as has long been called for by those on the left.
Yesterday, the BBC did the world a service by releasing documents hacked from the Xinjiang police relating to the Uyghur population in that part of China. There is nowhere for China to hide now on this. There is no doubt that what we are witnessing in Xinjiang is a genocide. It is a programme of re-education and the forced separation of families, and all the other awful things that we know are happening. Given that we know they are happening, we as a Government, a country, and a community, have a responsibility to do something about that. The very least that we can do is have a debate about it. We should bring the Minister for Foreign Affairs and other members of the Government in here to ask them what steps Ireland can take to bring to China's attention that we will not accept the carry-on and appalling behaviour of China in relation to the minority population in the Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region. It is unacceptable and there is now nowhere for China to hide. We know it is happening. There is conclusive proof. One of the most respected international journalistic organisations, the BBC, has verified this information. It spent quite a lot of time carefully doing so. We now know it is happening. Anybody who had any doubts now knows that it is happening, and that includes the Irish Government. The time has come for us to say "Stop" to that and to send a very clear message to China that it cannot be allowed to act with impunity in respect of its own citizens in the way it has. It must end.
I wish to raise urban regeneration, in particular in light of the report which was launched this morning by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The report details not less than 39 recommendations to be taken to address dereliction and to champion urban regeneration. The report, with cross-party support, specifically endorses a number of actions that are captured in Housing for All. I refer to initiatives such as the lease and repair scheme, the buy and renew scheme and the living city scheme but also the commitment to introduce a vacant property tax. There is no faster or more sustainable way to increase our housing stock than to reuse existing buildings that are available and lying vacant in many towns and villages. They are on streets that have public lighting, sewerage and public transportation. They are close to schools, doctors and shops. This report presents an opportunity not just to address the dereliction and the vacancy, but it also captures actions that can actively promote living cities, living rural towns and living villages. I would like if the Leader would schedule time to debate the report. The House could contribute greatly to the championing of the recommendations in the report and to informing the Government on the broad support that it enjoys.
Today marks three months since the start of the war in Ukraine. I want to first acknowledge the Cathaoirleach for visiting Kyiv last week, along with the Ceann Comhairle, and for showing the solidarity that we as a country should show Ukraine.
Hear, hear.
He met with President Zelenskyy and with the Prime Minister. There is a worrying trend within the European Union in the conversation of where the war is going in Ukraine by putting pressure on Ukraine to negotiate with Putin. The Cathaoirleach was there last week. He knows that Ukraine is winning this war. Russia is retreating. Now is not the time to be asking Ukraine to negotiate with an army and country that are losing. Ukraine will win this war.
We have seen even this morning other atrocities in Mariupol, where another mass grave of 200 bodies was found when Ukrainian forces got in there to see these atrocities. However, Ukraine will win this war if we give it the support it needs, whether that is with weapons or with finances to support it to pay its army, doctors and nurses. The will and the resilience of those people is phenomenal, and they will win. It is not the time for us to be saying that they should start talking to Putin.
I understand from a European perspective and from an Irish perspective that this war has an effect on our economy, on the cost of living and on prices going up. However, there is a greater good in giving freedom to people who deserve it and who want to join the European Union.
There is another element that we can play in our role as members of the European Union. A number of neighbouring states of Ukraine, such as Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, have called what Russia has done as genocide. However, no western European country has done that yet. The Cathaoirleach has seen what has happened over there. What has happened there and what Russia has done is genocide. Even the conversations that Putin has had can be called genocide. When one kills mothers and fathers, takes children away into Russia, gives them documentation and passports and tells them they are Russian for the rest of their lives, that is nothing more than genocide. It is taking away a generation. The narrative needs to continue, which it has for three months, in support of Ukraine to win this war. This should not be a time, when they are actually winning, to say, "Let us end it".
I thank Senators Ahearn and Ward for speaking to what is happening in Ukraine and for their continued work behind the scenes with parliamentarians to make sure that the war is eventually won by the people of Ukraine.
I spent most of yesterday in the Scottish Parliament as part of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, BIPA. I was over there for a day or two. What a wonderful place Edinburgh is and what a wonderful place is their Parliament. If ever the Cathaoirleach can make it to Scotland and Edinburgh, he should certainly go to the Scottish Parliament. Its design and everything about the Parliament is amazing. I would urge everyone to go. One thing that struck me was the democratisation of the building itself. The public has free access right through the buildings, the libraries and the reading rooms. All offices have glazed doors. The interface with Edinburgh itself is quite an experience. I recommend everyone to go there.
I want to talk today about the focus of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly there, which was to meet with representatives from the Scottish Parliament, as well as representatives from Wales and the UK. Unfortunately, on this occasion, Northern Ireland was not present because of the current situation there and its representation at the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. This was about minority languages and about the islands. What struck me when talking about it was how much we have in common with the Scottish and Welsh people. That is something we perhaps did not think enough about in the past. It is obvious in terms of our relationships with the parliamentarians in Scotland and Wales and also around our engagement of the issue of minority languages and support for them. The recurring theme that various Ministers spoke about was the issue of how we can protect language in rural communities, such as by favourably disposing towards it in planning and through similar issues.
I would like more than anything if we could have a focused debate on the islands of Ireland and the unique challenges that are posed for their culture, identity and language. Language is so important because it is part of our identity. We have made great strides regarding the Irish language. However, this is now being focused on in all of the jurisdictions of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. It would also be important that somehow we bring the work of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly into the Chambers.
Maybe we could have a report by the members of BIPA, who are Senators, and make time in our schedule to give some account of our work and engagement with the parliaments within the jurisdiction of BIPA.
I wish to acknowledge the fact that University Hospital Limerick, UHL, and the University of Limerick, UL, are very much involved in clinical trials. On 19 May, they celebrated Clinical Trials Day. Clinical trials are so important from a research perspective, especially for very sick children. I want to acknowledge the work of all involved. It is really important to say, "Thank you", to the people who are working in this area and to wish them all the best for the future.
I commend the Cathaoirleach on travelling to Ukraine and representing this House.
I would like to raise the issue of hormone replacement therapy, HRT. There has been unprecedented investment in women's health under the current Minister for Health, including the opening of menopause clinics in major urban areas. There has also been significant public discourse on the menopause, including on "Liveline" and there is now a huge awareness among women of what exactly the menopause entails. However, with this new information comes massive empowerment and women are now effectively addressing their symptoms head on. This is leading to severe shortages of HRT products in Ireland and the UK. Yesterday, the Irish Pharmacy Union, IPU, asked the Minister to amend the rules so that pharmacists can prescribe alternative HRT treatments to address women's menopausal symptoms. At the moment there is a severe lack of supply of HRT products, in particular, oestrogen patches. The HSE's medicines management programme needs to make it more attractive for pharmaceutical companies to provide HRT to the Irish market. At the moment, were they to enter the market they would have to sell their products at a 60% loss. The women of Ireland ultimately need oestrogen but it is not available and they are really worried. I would like to make sure that this issue is put at the top of the Minister's agenda again.
Before I call the next speaker, I welcome to the Public Gallery members of Longford Men's Shed and thank them for being here today. They are accompanied by Deputy Joe Flaherty who will, I am sure, look after them and make sure they see all the Chambers and some of the other rooms that we have available for their enjoyment. I thank them for coming to Leinster House and to Seanad Éireann. I call Senator Currie.
Our guests are very welcome to the Chamber. It is nice to share it with the public again.
I want to raise passports and menopause. The front page of the Irish Independent today tells us that 40% of passport delays are due to errors. While I accept that there are errors, we must also accept that some delays are not related to errors but are partly due to the enormous volume of passport applications. A huge amount of work is being done by the Passport Office and the Minister for Foreign Affairs to overcome the delays. Adult passport renewals are being processed speedily but when it comes to children's first-time or renewals, there can be delays. What can we do to communicate with people who have holidays booked and who are afraid that they will not get their passports on time? If people have applied for the wrong passport, whether that be for a renewal instead of a first-time passport or vice versa, is there a way to ensure they do not have to start the process all over again when this is identified? Sometimes these issues are not being flagged until a passport is about to be issued and then the applicant has to start all over again. Communication and early detection of issues is key. People who are living in the North do not have ready access to passport service appointments. It is €150 for such appointments, which are available in Dublin and Cork.
There is nowhere near the North where appointments are available. I suggest we open a passport office in the north west.
There was a programme about menopause on RTÉ last night. If ever there was an example of women being expected to get on with things, it is the menopause. There is more awareness now but still not enough. It is a red flag when someone suggests women should not accept the first answer they get and that women must go and seek answers for menopause. It is about awareness and affordability. It is also about access to the drugs or hormones that people need. I am quoting my colleague, Councillor Anna Grainger, when I say there should be a champion in every workplace. Let this Chamber be a champion for this issue. I know that Councillor Grainger is such a champion.
Yesterday, I was invited to attend an IFA briefing in Corofin, County Galway. It was hosted by Mr. Stephen Canavan, who is the new IFA county chair for Galway. Now that things are opening up again, we are getting an opportunity to meet people again. We very much had an opportunity to understand the concerns of farmers at that meeting. The high costs are hitting home. Many farmers are not spreading fertiliser, which is causing issues. Normally farmers spread fertiliser if they are doing a first or second cut but that is not happening because they are not getting fertiliser and are not spreading it. Some of the reasons come back to what we have heard anecdotally. Providers, farm suppliers and merchants are not able to provide credit whereas previously, credit would have been made available and farmers would have paid it back when they got their payments in September and October. That is not happening as often now because costs have risen so high. The same applies for the farm suppliers themselves. They are only getting one third of what they would have had for the same cost this time last year.
It is having a considerable impact. Concerns have been raised with me and many of my colleagues who were in attendance at that briefing in Corofin. We need to ensure that supports are being given to farmers at an early stage. More than €55 million is coming through for silage measures. That is a support to ensure there is fodder available in the winter months. There must also be an onus on how we manage cattle coming into the winter months and follow-on sales of cattle. It is going to be crucial that we discuss these matters with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, and consider how we will ensure immediate supports for farmers in the time ahead.
Senators Dolan, Murphy and Kyne raised the IFA meeting in Corofin last night, which outlined the importing costs, the threats to food security, the increase in the cost of fertiliser and the absence of meal. While Senators have welcomed the supports from the Government, they are looking for a debate on food security and I will organise that in the next week or so.
Senator Currie and others talked about passports and highlighted the concerns that were raised in the newspapers this morning. I can cite my own bizarre experience in that regard. One of my constituents contacted me on Sunday morning. Bags were being packed before the family realised the passport of a young adult son in the family was out of date, which caused major panic. I asked them to make the application online on Sunday and the passport arrived in the post this morning. When we can get something that right, one would have to reflect on how we still get so many things wrong. I know the Department is defending the deployment of additional staff of 600 to 900 people, which I welcome. I have an office in Balbriggan and the passport office is just up the road from me. I probably spend too much time there, to be honest. We need to reflect on our communications. An advertising campaign is required so that we do not have people packing their bags on a Sunday morning and discovering an out-of-date passport. The communications between the Department and our citizens has to be brought to the attention of the Minister because it is not accurate and it is not working, as reflected in the contributions of the Senators.
Senators Currie and Ardagh both talked about the unprecedented demand for hormone replacement therapy. I believe that is a result of the debate that has happened not only in this Chamber but also on our airwaves in recent years. That has absolutely made women come forward to say they have an increased awareness and are no longer going to accept being told by doctors or anybody else to just get on with it.
That is a very welcome change in society but we must be aware that increased awareness was always going to bring about increased demand for the product. The competitiveness and attractiveness of the Irish market has to be recognised by the Minister and the teams in the medicines agencies. In a free market, no business will sell its product at a 60% loss compared with other markets. That is just the reality. We certainly need to step up to the plate to make sure we make Ireland competitive and attractive for those businesses so we can supply the needs of Irish women.
Senator Maria Byrne talked about UL and UHL and their progressive attitude towards clinical trials and the success of those trials. Only the other day, I heard a young lady on the radio who is currently participating in a trial speak about what a positive impact it had on her life, which I had never heard before. We should probably cite and praise these facilities more for conducting these trials and continue to encourage them.
Senator Boyhan talked about his trip to the Scottish Parliament with regard to BIPA meetings over the past number of days and has requested a debate on the islands, which I will certainly ask for. Senator Ahearn spoke about the three-month anniversary of the war in Ukraine and his fears the EU might be putting pressure on the Ukrainians to negotiate as opposed to continuing to support them, which I hope we continue to do.
Senators Fitzpatrick and Moynihan talked about the report on urban regeneration that has been released and both are looking for a debate on it. The most obvious thing for all of us, as was cited by the Senators, is to reuse our existing buildings in whatever way, shape or form we can, supported by the Government. It is certainly the low-hanging fruit and something we should encourage.
Senator Ward looked for a debate on the genocide happening in China with regard to the Uyghur population. Yesterday's BBC report made for very stark reading. I will certainly write to the Minister for Foreign Affairs today and make that a matter for priority.
Senator Warfield looked for a debate on the Oxfam report on the increased wealth of the billionaires of the world, especially those in Ireland. I know there are only a few of them but it is hard to see people getting richer when others are struggling so much. I will certainly arrange that debate as quickly as I can.
Senator Conway very much welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Health on Friday evening of the catch-up programme for the HPV vaccine. This very welcome announcement brought to all our social media and news programmes the beautiful face of the late Laura Brennan. We are all mindful of the significant contribution she has made to women's health in Ireland. We remember her and praise the legacy she has left behind.
Senator Murphy not only spoke about the IFA meeting but praised Lisa O'Rourke and Amy Broadhurst. It must have been a wonderful weekend in Roscommon because it certainly lifted the spirits of most people. I am reminded of the amount of success Irish female boxers have had in the past year. It is wonderful to see. I thank the Senator for bringing that to our attention.
Senator Moynihan looked for a debate on dereliction in our towns and cities. The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Hackett, spoke about her anticipation of, and welcome for, EU just transition funds for climate action in the midlands.
Senator Gavan spoke about the very successfully attended protest on Saturday, which was good to see. I will say, tongue-in-cheek, that Prime Minister Boris Johnson will solve this in the next couple of weeks but given we are waiting for the past number of years for it to be solved, I probably do not put much store in that. I hope there will be success in the negotiations in the coming weeks. He also spoke about the medical scientists' strike and looked for the Minister for Health to intervene.
Senator Mullen talked about his support for a debate on food security and also brought to our attention the recent canonisation of Titus Brandsma. The Senator always brings fascinating information to this Chamber, which is very welcome. I acknowledge Titus Brandsma stayed in Ireland, with the brothers at Whitefriar Street in Dublin and in Cork, before he left for a tour of America. He was apparently here to learn how to speak English. In typical Irish fashion we have to lay claim to every beautiful spirit in the world, but he certainly seemed to be one of them. I thank the Senator for bringing that to our attention.
Senator Kyne also looked for a debate on food security but, very importantly, welcomed An Bord Pleanála's decision to give planning permission for the Celtic interconnector between Ireland and France. It will certainly improve our energy security but, more important, when our final ambitions are realised for the volume of wind, solar and sea energy we can create in this country, we will be able to sell that energy across the EU, which will be very important.
Senator Chambers opened our debate by looking for clarification on the national retrofitting scheme.
It is a wonderful scheme that was announced at the beginning of this year. It seems to be frustrating insofar as the registration process for all the organisations that had previously supplied the other schemes are finding it frustrating to get on the list. From our perspective, however, and more importantly, the number of people applying to these one-stop companies and not getting access to the immediate service they expect is causing frustration.
Senator Chambers also congratulated Sally Rooney on her inclusion in Time magazine's 100 most influential people. We wish her continued success because we are all enjoying the fruits of her talents so far.
Order of Business agreed to.