The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re report of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach under Seanad Standing Order 116 on a proposal for a Council directive on Business in Europe: Framework for Income Taxation (BEFIT), COM (2023) 532 - reasoned opinion, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, motion re proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of a proposal for the recommendation of a Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations for agreements between the European Union and Iceland on the transfer of passenger name record data, to be taken on conclusion of No. 1, without debate; No. 3, motion re proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of a proposal for the recommendation of a Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations for agreements between the European Union and the Kingdom of Norway on the transfer of passenger name record data, to be taken on conclusion of No. 2, without debate; No. 4, motion re the proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of a proposal for the recommendation of a Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations for agreements between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation on the transfer of passenger name record data, to be taken on conclusion of No. 3, without debate; No. 5, Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill 2022 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to adjourn at 2.30 p.m., if not previously concluded; No. 6, Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023 - Committee Stage (resumed), to be taken at 2.30 p.m. and to adjourn at 7 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 7, Private Members' business, Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2024 – Second Stage, to be taken at 7 p.m. or on the conclusion of No. 6, whichever is the later, with the time allocated to this debate not to exceed two hours.
An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. I wish to raise a number of points. The first relates to Sir Ernest Shackleton, about whom I have spoken about in these esteemed Houses previously. There are celebrations planned in London and Dublin this weekend for the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Antarctic explorer, Ernest Shackleton, who was born just outside Kilkea in Athy. He was part of three very famous expeditions to the icy regions of Antarctica, leading two of them. The most famous was on board the ship Endurance. He was one of the most renowned explorers we have ever had and was very much known for his strong leadership qualities. He was the epitome of vision, courage and strong leadership. In Kildare, we are hugely proud of our connection with Shackleton. Thanks to funding we are getting from the Government, we are in the process of developing what is going to be a world-class museum in Athy town in respect of Shackleton. Every year there is a wonderful weekend based around Shackleton and his values and vision. I pay tribute to the Frank Taaffe, the chairperson, to Judith O'Brien and to a really good organisation. Shackleton was awarded the prestigious Polar Medal for all of his expeditions. That medal is in England and is now up for sale. I would really like the Government to purchase it - in order to avoid it disappearing into a private collection - and donate it to the museum in Kildare. It would be a significant purchase.
On the application process for children going to primary and secondary school, I was contacted the other day by the board of management of the national school in Ballymore. The latter is a small town There is only one primary school. There have been a lot of enrolments for next September. There are 16 extra children that the school cannot cater for. The school has the physical capacity but because of the archaic rules the Department of Education applies in relation to how teacher numbers are calculated, going by the previous end of September, the school cannot apply for a new teacher. As a result, 16 children will be left without places. We need to have a debate on the enrolment policies for primary and secondary schools. We have large towns in which there are a number of schools. As is absolutely their right, parents apply to a number of schools. However, we cannot correlate the figures to make sure that we have enough places for all children. We need to have a debate on the matter.
The recent report on Tusla's children's residential centres throughout the country does not make for good reading. The report highlights wider organisational issues in promoting a culture of quality and safety in children's residential centres. This impacts the ability to build relationships of trust and undertake therapeutic work with the children involved. The deteriorating relationships within the peer group and recent serious incidents involving child protection matters indicate a lack of effective safety planning and monitoring of risks and progress. The effectiveness of behavioural approaches and the use of restrictive procedures requires comprehensive review and assessment for impact with a wider discussion of the balance of safety and children's rights. The reduced staff team and the lack of interim arrangements to mitigate the risks are impacting the effective delivery of safe services for young people. There is a lack of effective monitoring, recording and reviewing of the use of restrictive practices in the service along with a need for improvement in the management oversight of practices and understanding of restrictive practices.
The design of the premises continues to be a matter of concern in that it restricts staff's ability to manage incidents and risks presented by challenging behaviour. Children under the age of 12 should not be put into these centres, and they are. Significant changes to the management structures and the staffing challenges are impacting the oversight capacity and the supervision of the managerial team. There are gaps in staff supervision and in team meetings leading to a lack of familiarity with decisions and discussions of these meetings. Based on this report, there is evidence that there are significant operational and management challenges in promoting a culture of quality and safety in children's residential centres. These issues need to be addressed to ensure the effective delivery of safe services for young people and to enable wraparound services to be undertaken with these children. The use of restrictive practices and behavioural approaches also requires comprehensive review and assessment for impact to ensure the balance of safety and children's rights. Additionally, there is a need for improvement in the oversight capacity of the management team and regular staff supervision to address the gaps in safety and the quality of care for young people.
Clearly, a lot of work and reparation needs to take place within the centres. We need the Minister for children to address this House on how he plans to achieve this. I have always said that these centres should not exist. If we had a good, functioning foster care system in this country, these children would have a family and a family home to go to. These centres are not a safe place for children to grow up.
I know that a discussion is scheduled in the next week or two related to the issue I wish to raise. Statements on the Middle East will be held next week, but I ask not for statements, but actions. We must discuss actions in respect of the appalling situation we are seeing in Gaza.
I want to begin first by highlighting that Ireland sometimes, sadly, has had the practice of speaking very sincerely, emphatically and in a strong way, but failing to follow through on that with meaningful action. One very important matter is a test of that, and it is actually happening this week. I previously raised it as a Commencement matter in this Chamber. The corporate sustainability due diligence directive at the European Union is under way and a final vote is due to take place this week. Again, we must ensure that we do not simply talk about the importance of human rights, ethics and environmental standards for corporations; we must actually hold them to account.
I have heard concerning signals that Ireland may be considering abstaining from that crucial tool. I hope that is not the case. Previously, when I engaged with the Minister on this matter, he was very clear that he intended to support it. Yet, it is important that Ireland would follow through and strongly support that kind of accountability for corporations through the due diligence directive.
We must follow through again with accountability. We need to look at accountability in our wider trade agreements. While this is a matter of individual corporations and human rights and environmental standards, let us speak about the human rights standards for the European Union as a whole. I refer specifically to the human rights clauses, which are attached as conditions of the EU-Israel association agreement. I welcome the fact that the Taoiseach has written to say he wants a review of that agreement, but a review is not enough. A review is a long process, and we are now at a point of urgency. Some 1.4 million people are trapped in Rafah, and an apparent extraordinary disregard for international human rights is being displayed. In that context, we need to use the other tool that is immediately available to us in the European Union, namely, Article 82 of the EU-Israel association agreement, which allows us to suspend the preferential conditions of trade with Israel in that agreement. That tool can be immediately used. Again, if there is to be a review, that is fine. Let the review happen after the suspension. Let the suspension be the case and the norm. That action would be meaningful and that is what I hope to hear in the discussion next week.
Last, I come to the issue of the occupied-----
Go raibh maith agat.
I will just conclude. I refer to the occupied territories Bill, which is now being spoken about regarding legal opinions. There have been legal opinions on it for years from James Crawford, Michael Lynn and Professor Takis Tridimas. They all clearly say that Ireland should be applying this. Not only has the Government failed to deliver on the occupied territories Bill or to follow through on the Bill, which I am very proud to co-sponsor-----
Thank you.
Sorry, the discretion of the Cathaoirleach is key because-----
Senator, you are a minute over time.
I am a minute over time. I will finish on this. Not only has Ireland failed, and not only has the Government blocked the occupied territories Bill, but they have actually been investing in illegal settlements. Now is the time to follow through. I would just note that the same problem of business as usual, while ignoring human rights-----
Please, Senator.
The same problem of ignoring human rights while there is business as usual is related to another occupied territory. I am referring to Western Sahara, where they have been told-----
Senator Higgins, you are abusing the Order of Business.
Western Sahara has been occupied by Morocco but we are continuing with business as usual. I am imploring for action to be taken.
Senator Higgins, resume your seat. Please be fair to all Members. The points you make are diluted by your going over time. Please understand this.
I, too, want to raise the issue of Palestine this morning. At this point, our hearts are broken as we have watched the genocide unfold in front of our eyes over the last number of months. It has called into question the myth of western democracy when we sit back and watch what the Israeli occupied forces are meting out to the Palestinian people. There is a level of hypocrisy by the West in its response to the actions of Israel when compared to the swiftness - and rightly so - with which sanctions were introduced against Russia. It is very telling that we are still here months later and no action has been taken against Israel for what it is doing. Israel will continue to act with impunity because it is allowed to act with impunity.
It is true to say that the Irish Government has been more outspoken than other EU countries and the US, but words are not enough at this stage. We saw the Israeli ambassador on our public broadcaster attempting to link the death of six-year-old Hind Rajab to Hamas. She spoke about the two paramedics who went to rescue a six-year-old child who called for help after she had just witnessed her entire family being destroyed by the IOF. The paramedics who went to rescue her were slaughtered with Hind. Nobody can defend that. We saw the Israeli ambassador on our TV screens trying to link it to Hamas. It is sickening to try to defend this in some way. At this point, her position is untenable, and she should be expelled. She certainly should not be given airtime on our public broadcaster.
Civilians fled to Rafah because they were told they would be safe there. The agenda of the Netanyahu Government is now very clear. It has said it out loud - it is not even saying it quietly anymore. Its agenda is to displace the people of Palestine from Gaza altogether. It wants them to go over the border into Egypt. That is a war crime and Ireland has to join the ICJ case against Israel. We have to recognise the state of Palestine. We have to bring in the occupied territories Bill.
As Senator Higgins has said, a review of the EU-Israel association pact is not enough at this stage. It needs to be suspended with immediate effect. We cannot have words anymore. We are all getting emails every day from people who are pleading. They are desperate and they feel helpless because of what they are seeing before their eyes. They want their politicians and their Government to act. I know there will be statements next week, but the time for words is over.
Much like others, I want to be associated with remarks in relation to the actions that need to be taken to address the crisis that has unfolded in the Gaza Strip. I had an opportunity to reflect on that yesterday.
I again ask the Leader to try to arrange a debate in this House, if possible, at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss migration and related issues. I raised this issue before. Quite frankly, many politicians from all political parties over the years have tried to not engage in this debate, because things were often better left unsaid. That has created a microcosm that has allowed certain far-right actors to put forward untrue tropes and information that have now unfortunately become part of common parlance. It is incumbent on all of us who believe in the importance of migration and truth in relation to this matter to stand up and fight back from a position of unity. We should start that in this House. I am concerned that some parties and individuals are observing the polls. Much of the misinformation has been unchallenged by mainstream politics. I am concerned that we are starting to lose the battle here. The polls are showing, sadly, that the general populace are believing the misinformation that is being disseminated. I am concerned that this may have a domino effect on mainstream politics. We need to begin the process of challenging the misinformation and disinformation that, unfortunately, many right-minded and solid people are believing because they are hearing it so consistently but are not hearing it being challenged. It is incumbent on us to have that debate and to take the gloves off. We must fight back against this outrageous slur that has been created around the issue of migration.
At the outset, I welcome the Report of the Citizens' Assembly on Drug Use and its 36 recommendations. Why am I doing that today? I am doing that because I want to go further and welcome that Cabinet yesterday approved the establishment of a special Oireachtas committee to consider the Report of the Citizens' Assembly on Drug Use. That is the right thing to do, first of all, to thank the assembly for the enormous work it did. There is much thought in the 36 recommendations. It is important that it come back to the Oireachtas because, ultimately, the Oireachtas determines law and makes decisions. As I said, I was particularly pleased yesterday that the proposal was brought to Cabinet by the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, who has ultimate responsibility for public health, well-being and the national drugs strategy. I acknowledge her huge work and commitment on this. She always said it was her intention that we would come back and discuss it in detail in the Oireachtas.
I was also pleased that the Taoiseach officially announced on the floor of the Dáil yesterday that he will seek an Independent TD to chair the committee. That is a measure of political maturity, reasonableness, fairness and pragmatism. The Taoiseach of this country decided that. That is his decision and I warmly welcome it because at times, there is much criticism about parliamentary democracy and it is constantly challenged, particularly when there is a very large coalition. It makes it difficult. I acknowledge and thank the Taoiseach for that decision. Clearly, that is a decision he has taken as leader of our country and it is one I welcome. The Taoiseach went on to say there will be 14 members and that he hopes this committee will be up and running in April. Again, that is important.
My ask of the Leader and Cathaoirleach today is that we need to sit down in terms of the Oireachtas. Clearly, the Seanad will have nominees to that committee. We should work constructively and support one another to put in place early the people who are going forward and who will represent the Seanad as part of this committee. Let us talk about it in a mature and political way. Again, I want to particularly thank the Taoiseach for his initiative in agreeing to select or put forward an Independent Member of Dáil Éireann to chair this really important committee.
I read this morning that we are now down to one ship to patrol our western shores. That is deeply worrying. I would like to have a debate in this House on what I call the Atlantic fleet. I believe the assets that exist off the west coast of Ireland and the west coasts of France, Spain and Portugal right the whole way down and whole way up north to Norway, Finland, etc, should be patrolled as a European Union. The time has come for the European family to pool its resources and have a shared Atlantic Ocean that would be patrolled by all states.
The only criteria I would see is that if, for example, a French naval ship was sailing through Irish waters and found a bad actor acting illegally in our waters, it would have the powers of arrest and would be forced to land the offending ship to the nearest port. Therefore, a French ship could land an offending rogue into an Irish port to be dealt with under Irish law. It is the only way.
Consider the amount of data that is crossing through our economic zone. We cannot protect it. As a European family, we could protect it. We have to start as a nation building alliances with like-minded countries to protect the assets that run the economies of the world. That includes undersea cables, gas lines, electricity interconnectors and all of that.
I ask for a debate with the Minister for Defence on that specific issue. It is great to see that we have aligned ourselves to some degree with NATO with respect to intelligence, etc. However, do we honestly believe we were fully at the table with all intelligence? No, we do not. Do I want Ireland not to be neutral? No, I do not. I want us to be neutral, but a neutral country that can stand proud with other countries in this world and not interdependent, as is suggested by some. We are totally dependent. Therefore, I would like to have that debate. I would appreciate it if the Leader could arrange that.
Much has been said recently about the revival of the Irish language. We should start with planning guidelines with regard to Gaeltacht areas. Planning guidelines should be weighted in favour of people living in Gaeltacht areas, whether they are from the area or from outside and want to move into the Gaeltacht areas.
The language is dying in some areas and this could be a way to revive it to keep people in those areas. In the Gaeltacht area in Tuar Mhic Éadaigh, for instance, there were seven or eight national schools at one stage and it has only one national school, or two at most, in that whole area now. There is a good secondary school in it as well.
To get people into those areas, however, planning guidelines do not favour Gaeltacht areas. The do not favour rural areas or people building a house in a rural area. The Minister should look at the planning guidelines, particularly for Gaeltacht areas. It should be weighted in favour of people who are living and raising families in those areas. We need a debate in the House in that regard. There are several Gaeltacht areas in the same position as that in Tuar Mhic Éadaigh in County Mayo. I hope we will at some stage have a debate in the House in that regard.
I call for a debate on the future of small businesses in this country, particularly at a time when, unfortunately, we are beginning to see shops and small bars and restaurants closing their doors, which is a very sad sight to see, not just for the town or village where that business is located but, indeed, for the entire community and local economy.
Many people told me that part of the problem was when the VAT rate increased or reverted back to 13.5%. That has had an adverse effect on many small businesses and small public houses throughout the length and breadth of the country. Some of them told me that 35% of a small pub's turnover could be from food and, in some cases, it could even be up to 50% of turnover.
It is time we had a debate on small businesses and the cost of doing business in Ireland, particularly at a time when we have seen the extension of sick leave recently, the increase in the minimum wage which, again, is welcome, and the auto-enrolment scheme for employees. All these are welcome developments but, unfortunately, they come at a cost. A big business that is employing many people can absorb that cost, but if it is a small business with one, two, three, four or five employees then that additional cost, which some people would perhaps classify as small, can be the difference between surviving and not surviving. It is now time, before we leave it too late, to have a debate on the cost of business and perhaps ask the Government to take a second look at reverting back to a VAT rate of 9%. The Government will tell us that the last time it did that, it cost the Exchequer €1.2 billion. However, I would argue on the flip side that if we lose businesses because of it then we are going to be in a situation whereby we are losing revenue, and that €1.2 billion will be lost in a different way. Therefore, it is not just about the business or about turnover or profit; it is about a community. It is about securing a future for our small pubs and restaurants. It is time we had that debate. I request that the Leader organise that as soon as possible.
I welcome the news today that the Taoiseach has written to the President of the European Commission, Ms Ursula von der Leyen, regarding the situation in Palestine and proposed some sort of economic sanctions against Israel. It is an example of Ireland and this Government standing up to Israel and showing leadership within Europe. I sincerely hope the Taoiseach's letter to the president will result in a chain reaction that will see economic sanctions. I do not agree with expelling ambassadors or any of that. Ambassadors need to hear what is happening and be able to feed that back. The far more effective way is economic sanctions.
Of course, we all want the negotiations with a view to a ceasefire that are taking place at the moment to bear fruit. We need a cessation and not a temporary ceasefire. Let us hope that happens.
I agree about the challenges faced by small businesses at the moment. We have seen a number of increases recently, including an increase to the minimum wage. The plastic bottle return scheme has been introduced along with a whole raft of other initiatives. Each of them is laudable on its own and is the right thing to do but their combined effect on small businesses is negative. I welcome the fact that an increased cost of doing business grant will hop into people's bank accounts. That needs to happen sooner rather than later because people are struggling. The increased cost of doing business grant needs to be looked at with a view to increasing it. It is designed to pay 50% of rates up to a maximum of €5,000. We need to consider increasing that further. A debate with the relevant Minister would be welcome.
Before I call on the next speaker, I welcome Ms Maggie Maloney and the Duhill community group from County Tipperary. They are very welcome to Leinster House. I am glad to say their county is not the home of hurling but they are very welcome. I hope they have a pleasant and enjoyable day in Leinster House. Their timing is opportune because their native county man, Senator Ahearn, is the next speaker. He is doing our guests proud in Leinster House.
I thank the Cathaoirleach but correct him on his pronunciation of "Duhill". I welcome all my fellow Tipperary people. I am the only Tipperary person in the Seanad and we cannot have enough Tipperary people in here. I welcome them today. I know they are in good hands with Councillor Máirín McGrath and I hope they enjoy their visit. I am about to bring up a topic in which they might be interested.
A number of people have recently come into my office in Clonmel to speak about their pensions. The Government increased pensions by €12 at the start of the year. There was also a double payment at the end of January, which was very welcome to the many people who needed it because of the cost-of-living crisis and the challenges we have especially in January, after Christmas. A number of people, including couples and women, have had an issue whereby their occupational pensions are penalised because of the increase in the State pension. The increase of €12 to the State pension meant the overall pension per month for some people has increased and the tax they are paying has increased dramatically, meaning that their take-home money after tax is less than it was before the €12 increase. I ask for the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, to come to the House to address this issue and to consider what can be done to support our pensioners.
One couple came into my office in Clonmel during the week. The occupational pension they are getting as a top-up is worth €1,700 per month. They used to pay between €100 and €200 per month in tax but that has now risen to €400 or €500. That is a massive increase for an elderly couple. Another lady's occupational pension was worth just over €1,200 and is now worth almost €1,000, which is a drop of almost €200 per month. Over a year, that is a significant drop. An awful lot of other pensioners in Tipperary have been affected and the Minister needs to make some tax changes as quickly as possible.
I also welcome Councillor Máirín McGrath, who is also very welcome.
I constantly raise the issue of University Hospital Limerick, as the Leader is aware. I know the current CEO is on leave and I wish her the very best. Ms Sonya Cotter, the assistant national director of the HSE, has today taken over the running of the hospital and I wish her and the new team the very best of luck. Many changes had to be made at the helm in terms of the running of the hospital. I wish them every success.
Monday was a great day in Limerick because 57 cost-rental homes were allocated by the Circle Voluntary Housing Association at The Mills in Castletroy. It is a new housing development in which 113 homes have been acquired under the cost-rental scheme, part of the Government housing scheme. I wish the 57 residents and families who have moved into new homes since Monday all the very best of luck.
The matters of small businesses, the VAT rate and business supports have been raised by others and I raised them yesterday. From what I have heard from businesses, €5,000 is not going to keep them alive. That must be re-examined because an amount of businesses are on their last legs. The scheme will pay 50% of rates up to a maximum of €5,000, which is too small a sum to keep businesses alive. Those businesses are supporting many families. The Minister needs to come to the House so we can debate the issue.
Saolta has today provided an update on the hospitals in its area. General manager James Keane of Portiuncula University Hospital gave an update and spoke to the fact we are seeing reductions in waiting lists for outpatients and inpatients. In the cardiology area alone, there were massive reductions. There is a new consultant, advanced nurse practitioners and cardiophysiologists who work in the community 50% of the time and on-site in the hospital 50% of the time. There have been reductions to waiting lists of up to 65%. This means longer lives for people. It is improving patient outcomes in Ballinasloe and east Galway in the west of Ireland.
I last year advocated strongly to the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, and the Taoiseach's office to ensure an extension project for the emergency department project in Portiuncula University Hospital was included in the HSE capital plan. More than 30,000 people attended Portiuncula University Hospital's emergency department last year. It is probably the only hospital in the Saolta group that has not had any work done to its emergency department. There is a surge in the emergency department in the area, with high numbers of people on trolleys, and an increase in older patients who are 75 and over. It is crucial that we are seeing the extension move from design stage to the construction stage.
A new consultant geriatrician will join the team in Portiuncula University Hospital in May and will work 50% of the time in the community and 50% of the time in the hospital. People will be delighted to know that more people are living in the west. Our maternity hospital is one of the busiest. Some 13,600 babies come into the world in Portiuncula hospital. The midwifery team is participating in a national pilot on enhanced post-natal care. I highlight that the hospital only has 13 single beds for a catchment area of over 400,000 people. That does not include just Ballinasloe but also includes Galway, Roscommon, Westmeath, Offaly and north Tipperary. It is the hospital for Athlone. This hospital increased by 12 the number of single of beds and doubled the number in the hospital by repurposing its outpatients department.
In 2019, I secured a meeting with then Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, and a clinical management team who visited Leinster House. At that point, we got an allocation of funding for that 50-bed ward. The general manager today indicated that the ground floor is now going to be completed. The ward with single-bed en suite rooms will be fully completed in April and an opening is planned for August and September of this year. This is an incredible development and we need to see more of it. All I can say is that I know there will be further demand for investment in that hospital.
I have a brief request to the Leader to raise an issue with the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, or with Revenue. I recently changed my car and the garage proprietor brought me out to his yard and showed me a whole fleet of new cars which are bound and unable to move because of a backlog in registration. The good news is that car sales are apparently up significantly but it looks like there is not a sufficient workforce to cope. People might want to buy a car with a 241 registration plate but some of them may be unable to do so before March. That is not really good enough. If a fellow buys a new car, he should have the privilege of driving it in the year he bought it. I ask the Leader to raise the issue. Whether it is a Revenue matter or a transport matter, I am not sure. I will leave it in the Leader's hands.
I thank Senators for their contributions on the Order of Business. Senator O'Loughlin drew our attention to the 150th anniversary of the death of Ernest Shackleton, who, as we know, was a famous Antarctic explorer with roots in County Kildare.
Shackleton's Polar Medal is for sale in the UK and the Senator has asked that the Government consider purchasing it for use in the museum in Athy that is going to open soon. The Senator wished all those involved with the museum well with its opening.
The Senator also asked for a debate on the application process relating to school enrolment. There are particular challenges regarding the numbers of students being enrolled and having enough teachers to meet the demand. I will discuss with the Senator how we might deal with this issue.
Senator Keogan spoke about the Tusla report on children’s residential centres. She made a very good point that we should not need these centres. Unfortunately, however, we do. She has asked that we do more to have a better functioning foster care system in order that every child would have a home to go to rather than a residential centre. She is concerned about the delivery of safe services in those centres.
Senator Higgins raised Palestine, Gaza and the Middle East as did Senators Boylan and Dooley. I concur with the sentiments expressed by all Senators. This issue was raised yesterday. We will have statements on the Middle East next Tuesday. The Tánaiste will be present, which will give us an opportunity to make our views known and to hear directly from him about what the Government can and will do. I thank all Senators, particularly those in opposition, for acknowledging that the Government has been very strong in its position on the Middle East and has been an outlier at times, or certainly in the minority, at EU level. But there are processes in place. Senator Higgins mentioned the EU-Israel association agreement. There are processes in place, and it is not as black and white as invoking Article 82. There is a process to do that. The Tánaiste and the Taoiseach have signalled strong intent that sanctions should be imposed on Israel in respect of what is happening. The loss of life is just reprehensible. We are all feeling very helpless as we watch what is happening. We will have a more full debate next week on the matter.
Senator Boyhan spoke about the citizens’ assembly report on the use of drugs and welcomed the establishment of a special committee to be chaired by an Independent Member of Dáil Éireann and asked that committee members from this House would be identified without delay. As the Senator will be aware, there will be a process and the Whips of each group will be contacted when spaces are available and there is a start date for the committee. We believe it will be some time in April. However, normal processes will apply in allocating spaces to Senators to serve on that very important committee.
Senator Craughwell asked for a debate on the Atlantic fleet and shared patrolling of the Atlantic Ocean. It might be appropriate for the Senator to table a Commencement matter, particularly as this is quite a specific question, in order see if that yields some information that might be of use.
Senator Burke asked about the revival of the Irish language and called for planning guidelines in relation to Gaeltachts to be weighted in favour of those who want to live in those areas and who are from those areas. I absolutely concur with those remarks. There has been a revival and we have some excellent Gaeltachts in County Mayo, across the west and, indeed, nationwide. Irish has become very popular and I think schools are teaching the it much better than they used to. That needs to be supported, and the planning system has to support the communities in question to survive and thrive and to grow. That is really important.
Senators Gallagher, Conway and Maria Byrne all referred to the challenges facing small businesses. As I said yesterday, the increased cost of business grant has been made available. The amount of money involved, €257 million, is significant. I accept, however, that capping the grant at €5,000 per business is probably a little lean for some of those involved. It could be perfectly adequate for many businesses, but there might be some for which it would not cover the massive increases they have experienced. A request has gone in to Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for a debate on that matter. I hope that the Minister, Deputy Coveney, or one of the two Ministers of State in the Department might have time available to come to the House in the coming weeks to give Members time to discuss the issue because it is coming up in the House regularly and is clearly a concern across the country. The Government has shown that it is eager to help business. There is an acknowledgement with auto-enrolment and the increase in the minimum wage and statutory sick leave that there is a lot coming at business in a relatively short period and it is putting a lot of pressure on. The Government is keen to do what it can to assist businesses.
Senator Conway stated that there is a need to impose economic sanctions on Israel.
Senator Ahearn referred to the occupational pension, which has been impacted by the increase in the State pension. It would be worth his while tabling a Commencement matter on that. Often we make these changes with the best of intentions but sometimes there are unintended and unforeseen consequences. I am sure a workaround can be found to try and assist people because the intention of the Government was not to make people less well off. It was not the plan to have less money in pensioners pockets; the opposite was the intention.
Senator Maria Byrne spoke about UHL, as she often does. She probably does so weekly. UHL is always top of the agenda in the Seanad. For a multitude of reasons, there are ongoing pressures in that hospital, which serves a huge catchment area. That has to be acknowledged. The Senator has always acknowledged the increase in bed capacity and the level of investment in the hospital. In comparison with other hospitals nationwide, UHL has receive huge investment and there has been a very hands-on approach on the part of the Minister and the Department. There is a push to increase the number of discharges at weekends and to get a more consistent service across the entire week. Hopefully, this will alleviate the pressure. It is great to see some positive news about the 57 new homes being opened by Circle housing in Limerick.
Senator Dolan referred to the Saolta update on hospitals under its remit. She made a particular case for the extension of the emergency department at Portiuncula University Hospital and for the improvement of maternity services there. Portiuncula is a very busy hospital.
Senator O’Sullivan spoke about the backlog relating to car registrations. He is correct. If someone is fortunate enough to be able to purchase a new car, they should be able to take it home in a reasonable period. I suggest that the Senator table a Commencement matter on that. This is a significant issue and a Commencement matter might get the relevant Department to focus on how it can assist people in that position. An administrative backlog of three months is a bit excessive.
The Leader wants me to get up early.
Yes, that is it.