The Order of Business is No.1, statements on community safety, to be taken at 5.15 p.m., with time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not exceeding ten minutes, group spokespersons not exceeding ten minutes and all Senators not exceeding five minutes. Time may be shared and the Minister is to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate.
An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader of the House.
It seems unbelievable that it was three years yesterday that we woke up to the news that Russia had invaded Ukraine. Since then, we have had three years of a war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine. There have been many fatalities with people displaced and Europe has been in a state of chaos. We have to think of all the Ukrainians, both those in Ukraine and those who have left. We must also think of those who have come to Ireland. I want to thank all the Irish hosts who have supported Ukrainian individuals and families, particularly Angie Goff for helping Irish hosts.
A total of 57% of those who have come to Ireland are staying with Irish hosts who have opened their homes and hearts to support people fleeing war. There is no doubt we need a strong and united Europe against the tyranny of Putin. It is important that we have the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade come in and have a debate regarding the situation in Ukraine.
I want to mention the just transition funding announced yesterday, which will allocate €6 million in funding to really important projects. That funding will go to Laois, Offaly, Longford, parts of Galway - I understand it is the Ballinasloe area - and parts of Kildare, the Clane, Maynooth and Athy areas. This is to try to rebalance employment opportunities that have gone because the extraction of peat has ceased. Some of the projects in Kildare are particularly good. We have four funded projects, one of which is the refurbishment of an old vacant secondary school that will be used to create economic opportunities and training.
I never understood why the area of the Kildare-Rathangan MD has been left out. Rathangan, if anybody knows it, is very much in the heart of the bog of Allen. As a village, it grew because of migrants from other parts of Ireland coming to settle there and work in the bogs. I understand EMRA is the regulatory authority in Ireland but it would be important to have a discussion around future funding and the geographical area. I would like a debate in this House with the Minister on this issue.
In the brief time I have left, I want to refer to eating disorders. An estimated 200,000 people in Ireland will experience an eating disorder at some time in their lives.
There is a myth that eating disorders only affect young people and girls. However, approximately 25% are men and it is generally felt that men are not presenting. People need help. There are only three inpatient beds in the country. Twenty more were promised but have not been delivered. In budget 2024, funding was announced for five new posts within the HSE south-west Dublin, west Wicklow and Kildare area to commence an adult eating disorder team. We need clarification on that because it is very hard to get the information. I would like to see a debate in the House on eating disorders, which of course are not just about losing weight as there are psychiatric conditions and mental health elements involved.
The time of year is looming when St. Patrick’s Day approaches and officeholders of this House, the other House and Ministers of the Government visit all over the world, showcase all that is good about Ireland and, importantly, meet the diaspora in those countries. We have a debt to our Irish diaspora in the sense that they are our own kinship and they had to off and leave in difficult times. Apart from that, they are a great resource for Ireland abroad, they are great ambassadors for Ireland, they are very good at marketing Ireland abroad, they are very good lobbyists for Ireland abroad and they are very good at showcasing Ireland. They are actively promoting Ireland abroad. They maintain a loyalty to the home country and a patriotism. It is quite wonderful.
In light of that, I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the role of the Irish diaspora internationally, how we can tap in more to the resource that they are, how we can be supportive of them and how we can have tighter links with them. It is incumbent on us to have this debate. I ask the Leader to request the Minister of State with responsibility for the diaspora, Deputy Richmond, to come in for this debate. If we could have it before St. Patrick’s Day, it would be much more apt, so people in this Chamber of all political parties and none could come forward and give their ideas of what should be said to the diaspora, what we should be asking from the diaspora and what we should be offering the diaspora.
I had occasion last year to meet the Cavan diaspora in New York and join them on their parade. I was accompanied on that occasion by newly elected Senator Sarah O’Reilly, among others. We all did it in our own time and of our own initiative. It was wonderful. They were delighted we were there to help to lead the parade. We immensely enjoyed meeting them and interacting with them. If Sarah were addressing this question on another occasion, I think she would testify to how impactful and valuable it was in terms of the tourism product and potential investment in this country, for example. It is an important link. The thing I have most enjoyed in my public life down the years have been the visits to our diaspora, whether it is in London, Luton or right through America. It is very special.
I ask the Leader to invite the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, who is a distinguished former Member of this House, to discuss this topic here. I think he will bring great energy to his new Department. If we could do it before St. Patrick’s Day, it would make more sense.
I rise today to echo what my colleague, Senator Fiona O’Loughlin said, in calling on the Leader of the House to organise a debate on Ukraine as we mark three years since Russia’s brutal and illegal invasion - three years of war, suffering and absolute displacement of the Ukrainian people, but also extraordinary resilience from the Ukrainian people. From the start - I will echo what Fiona said – Ireland has stood with Ukraine. Our Government has provided humanitarian aid and supported EU sanctions. We have welcomed more than 110,000 Ukrainian refugees to our shores. The generosity of the Irish people has been remarkable. However, we must ensure our support does not end there.
I will never forget when this crisis became a reality for me. When I was at the Tiglin centre in Greystones for the parade on St. Patrick's Day in 2022, I received a phone call from the then CEO of the Red Cross, Liam O'Dwyer. He was ringing to ask if I could take in a family or two, three or four. By the end of St. Patrick's Day, the buses had arrived with 117 people, mothers and children who had fled from their country with only one bag. I remember one particular child. He was 13 years of age and had cerebral palsy. His father carried him from the taxi. His name was Rodion Kudryk. He is now part of our community in Greystones. With the kindness of the Irish people and the safety we have provided, he is now a pillar. He has a new electric wheelchair and is certainly part of our Greystones community. I was asked by the Ukrainian ambassador, H.E. Larysa Gerasko, to speak at the peace rally this past weekend and I saw once again the strength of the Ukrainian people both here and abroad. I realised that their fight is not over and that our responsibility to stand with them remains. That is why I urge the Leader of the House to organise a debate. We must affirm and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Ukraine. We must assess Ireland's ongoing role and ensure that we are doing everything possible politically, economically and diplomatically to support their fight for freedom. The war continues and the need remains. Ireland must stand firm.
The craft sector in Ireland is valuable not only to our economy but also, importantly, to our international reputation. Craft practitioners and makers all over Ireland provide an invaluable contribution to our culture. Many of them are based in rural enterprises, contributing to local rural economies. They need State support. They need support from the State body that was established to do just that. I question why Design and Crafts Council Ireland would threaten legal action against its own members for putting forward constructive criticism in a feedback process sought by DCCI itself. This followed participation in an international craft exposition, Collect 2024. There is deep concern among practitioners. Many of them are based in my own county of Kilkenny but they are also all over Ireland. There is deep concern and deep fear as to the future of their sector. They have asked me to propose that we request that DCCI withdraw that legal action. The craftspeople are seeking an apology from DCCI and also ask that the Minister might intervene in some kind of mediation process. Practitioners raised valid and constructive concerns having participated in Collect 2024. This feedback process was sought by DCCI. That is the critical thing here. Not to take on board those concerns and not to help to improve future events DCCI might lead out on, particularly international trade fairs, would be to devalue the sector itself and the practitioners who rely on this for their living. I ask that the Minister, Deputy Burke, intervene to try to resolve this impasse. Perhaps he could also look at a review of DCCI in light of what has happened here. As I have said, there are significant concerns among practitioners and makers, many of whom have contributed a great deal to Ireland's economy and culture. DCCI should have an open and transparent process. If it seeks feedback on participation in an international craft fair and if valid concerns are raised as part of such a process, those concerns should be taken on board and used to provide lessons for the future. It should not be left hanging over the participants who took part.
Before I call on the next speaker, I welcome the former Captain of the Guard, John Flaherty, to the Gallery. He is most welcome. I am sure he is delighted to be on the other side of the glass and not to have to keep law and order for a change.
On 1 March 2017, Enda Kenny recognised the Traveller community as an ethnic minority group. Since then, we have seen pure tokenism for our community.
We are not truly recognised in Ireland as an ethnic minority group. This brings me to the issue of the joint committee which focused on matters that impact the Traveller community, such as health, mental health, education, employment and accommodation. During the last term, the committee also focused on Travellers in the justice system. That committee, of which I was Chairperson, was dissolved in November 2024. We are looking to re-establish the Traveller committee in order that Travellers can have a meaningful voice within these Houses, especially when it comes to legislation and policies that impact our community. There was a missed opportunity for us to work with the Roma community while we were working on issues that impact Travellers. We would love to see the committee re-established. We worked very closely with local authorities and had great relationships with them and communities. I ask the Leader for as much support as possible from this House to re-establish the Traveller committee. One in every 11 deaths in our community is caused by suicide. Traveller women live 12 years less than women in the general population and Traveller men live 15 years less than men in the general population. We have many crises within our community, such as addiction, homelessness, health and mental health. I would really appreciate the Leader’s support for the re-establishment of the Traveller committee. We worked to make it a long-standing committee to truly recognise Travellers as an ethnic minority group. The committee members fought for that at the time. We were just on the edge of getting it when the general election was called.
St. Patrick's Day is fast approaching and, after six years, my community of Tallaght will see its parade return. My community is often portrayed in a negative manner. The absence of a St. Patrick's Day parade in the area for the six years since 2019 was very much evident in the hearts of all the people of Tallaght. South Dublin County Council recognised the need to have a parade and, in conjunction with local groups, organisations and sports clubs, it is due to make a return this year. I have many fond memories of taking part in the parade with my local GAA club as a child. It is a vital day to bring our community together and to showcase and uplift it. I call on the Minister to release funds centrally to support such vital community initiatives. All too often, we focus on the negative. When we can bring a community together and showcase what is wonderful about it, that should be supported.
Through the six years in my role as a county councillor prior to being elected to the Seanad, County Mayo was plagued with the challenge of the housing crisis, which impacted right across the county. In council buildings I sat next to people in desperate domestic situations who were looking for a new lease of life and to get on the housing ladder.
At a county development plan level, we are told it is down to our local area plan. I sat on the Northern and Western Regional Assembly and we were told in respect of regional spatial strategies that it goes back to the local area plan. When we had the opportunity to create the Ballina local area plan, similar to Castlebar and Westport, we made multiple submissions to have land zoned in order to unlock the housing crisis in each and every one of these towns. Every recommendation and measure we suggested to improve and unlock the housing challenge in each of these towns was rejected by the Office of the Planning Regulator and the Minister. A local area plan for Ballina was signed off on last week but all of the recommendations of the local councillors were rejected. This means Ballina has been set back by approximately 400 to 500 houses.
We need to return power and decision-making to councillors, who, being on the ground and in the community, know best. The Northern and Western Regional Assembly identified that Mayo was delivering on 30% of its housing target, based on land zoned, so we need to increase drastically the amount of land zoned, by three times at least, just to ensure we keep up with demand. I have tried to raise a Commencement matter on this and would like to have the opportunity next week to discuss it with the Minister for housing. There is a crisis throughout the country. I have outlined the challenge faced on the ground. If we do not address it, it will create huge problems across society. I ask that the Minister for housing come here to address this. If there were a cooling-off period for him to reconsider the sign-offs, I would welcome it. If a judicial review is what it takes, that should be carried out to ensure we get people living in houses and address the problem and challenge of the housing crisis in Mayo.
There has been a newfound interest in defence in this country. This weekend, there was not one publication that did not have an opinion piece of some sort expressing a view on where defence should be at. They were written by various people. It is a matter of serious concern to me that people in this House and the Lower House find themselves speaking on such things as the triple lock and neutrality without the basic information they need to do so. My colleague Senator Clonan, who is here right now, speaks with informed knowledge of these things, but there are too many Members of this House who speak with uninformed knowledge of what the triple lock is about, what neutrality is about and what is required under international law when we talk about neutrality. We hear terms like “politically neutral” and “militarily neutral”. There is only one form of neutrality, and that is the one that comes under the Hague Convention. Members do not need a lecture from me, nor I am sure from my colleague Senator Clonan. Rather, what is needed are independent people to brief Members of the Oireachtas so that when we make public statements, they will have currency and be based on fact, not opinion. We need to be extremely careful as geopolitical plates are moving in this world. Statements made by politicians are being heard outside the country and we need to be sure that, when our politicians speak, they speak on the basis of knowledge and fact, not on the basis of what they feel or do not feel. Senator Clonan and I differ on the triple lock, which is perfectly reasonable, and I differ from other retired members of the Defence Forces on it while others see it from my point of view, but we can have an informed argument on it. Ultimately, we had a situation in Kabul where we needed to remove people, and the triple lock could have cost us seriously. I ask the Leader to organise the debate.
I raise the issue of broadband access following Storm Éowyn. As Members will be aware, tens of thousands were without broadband for weeks following the storm. Indeed, ComReg said at the end of last week that 3,500 remained without access, a month after the storm. Speaking of my county, the impact was particularly felt in Connemara and across north Galway, where thousands remained without access for weeks. The impact this has cannot be overstated. Businesses were unable to take payments. Remote workers were unable to carry out their work at home and had to return to their offices, which for many involved lengthy journeys every day.
The priority right now needs to be addressing with as much speed as possible the needs of the final 3,500 without broadband access, but following that we need to proceed quickly to having a discussion on how to strengthen our infrastructure to ensure this issue does not arise again after another major storm, be it next year, in two years or later. Given the ways in which we now rely on broadband, it is simply unacceptable for thousands of businesses and tens of thousands of homes to be three weeks or more than a month without broadband access. It does considerable damage to our economy and we must take safeguarding measures to prevent this from arising again. I would be grateful if the Leader of the House raised the matter with the Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, and requested him to join us for a debate as soon as possible.
I ask the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW to come to the House. I would like to get an update in respect of the flooding that took place at Bridge Street, Killybegs, on 23 November. It was one of the worst floods to ever take place in County Donegal. At this time, residents are getting no answers from the relevant Departments. They are afraid to go to sleep in bed at night if there is heavy rain in case it will be the same as 23 November, when they were woken up by fire brigade sirens and people knocking at their doors trying to get them out. All the people want to know is what is happening with the river. Will tree cutting go ahead before 31 March? We need to get answers on that. Looking forward, people are now afraid to go to bed at night if a heavy rain is forecast. The sandbags are still at their front doors. I would like the Minister of State to come to the House to give us an up-to-date plan of what he intends to do, and outline how we can keep these people updated on what is happening.
Senator Duffy touched on the issue I will raise. The headline of an article in yesterday's Irish Independent, written by Fionnán Sheahan, stated that targeted zoning of land by councillors for large-scale housing will be overruled. According to the article, a Government source stated that "Local councillors and TDs can often be to the forefront in objecting to the building of houses or rezoning of land as they side with "Nimby" objectors." It gets worse. The article continues:
"You can't be limited by what a local authority wants to do on zoning. Councillors are a law unto themselves. Local authorities will have to be directed on where to zone land," a government source said.
A Government source who understood anything about how a county development plan is adopted would not make that statement. It is national policy and national legislation that prevents our councillors from zoning land and controlling the zoning of land. It was the NPF that decided what the national population growth was. It was the regional assemblies that then dictated where that population growth went into our counties. It was national policy that decided the headroom in relation to zoning of land. The quantum of land zoned in a county development plan has nothing to do with councillors but has everything to do with national policy. It is disrespectful if a Government source is now trying to blame councillors and county councils for not having the prerequisite zoned land in place. In every one of the counties I visited in respect of the previous plans, every one of the councillors made proposals for the zoning of land. It was national policy and the Office of the Planning Regulator that prevented all those lands being zoned. It was because of national policy. To come now and try to blame councillors and county council officials for not being proactive in land zoning is completely disrespectful.
As we look out the windows of the Chamber this afternoon we will see, dare I say it, signs of spring or a good summer ahead. Unfortunately, the issue I will raise is the flooding events in west Cork during the past weekend. It was yet another flooding event for many of the rural communities I represent, including Rossmore, Ardcahan, which is near Dunmanway, and Halfway. Ballinascarty, which is close to Clonakilty, was probably the worst-hit area. We saw both residential and commercial properties flooded yet again. In addition to many private properties suffering damage, public infrastructure and roads were damaged, predominantly due to rivers bursting their banks. I commend my local councillor, Councillor John Michael Foley, on raising the matter at Cork County Council yesterday. I have invited Kevin Boxer Moran to visit west Cork to see the damage for himself.
We have a crisis in our rivers and streams in this country. To put it simply, they are full and choked up with gravel, silt and a build-up of debris from years of no proper maintenance. There is no doubt that we have a climate change issue in this country and globally. We see change in the increased levels of rainfall, but we have also seen change in recent years in that we no longer maintain and clear our rivers as we used to. I love nature. I love west Cork and our unique and special landscape. We have a biodiversity crisis.
I am on the side of protecting our streams and rivers, but not at the cost of our people or property. We need to find balance.
I might sound alarmist, but Cork County Council had to visit Ballinascarty and Dunmanway last weekend to assist people who were caught up in the flooding. We need to find solutions. Landowners are afraid to clear and maintain rivers because of their fear that Inland Fisheries Ireland and local authorities will get involved. We need to bring about a commonsense solution. We, as a State, need to step in. We need to bring Inland Fisheries Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of the environment to the table to find a solution. That is why I am asking the Leader, similar to what was asked by Senator Boyle, to invite the Minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works to attend the Chamber for an informed debate about the proper maintenance of our rivers to ensure a commonsense plan. As one local in Ballinascarty put it, we want to keep the river in the river.
Before I move to the next speaker, I welcome to the Gallery former Senator, Deputy Marie Sherlock. I thank her for coming back to visit us. I know she is missing us terribly, as we are missing her. I call Senator Flaherty.
I echo the sentiments of several of my colleagues by requesting the presence of the Minister for housing as a matter of urgency. Housing was the stand-out issue during the term of the previous Government and will be again in the lifetime of the current Government. There are obviously outstanding issues. It was heartening this morning to hear positive numbers for the Croí Cónaithe scheme, which is gathering momentum. Donegal is the county with the highest take-up of the scheme. At a parliamentary party meeting, the current Taoiseach tried to lay claim to the project. He said he had a Eureka moment when he was walking around west Cork. I had to remind him that every rural councillor came up with the same idea over the past generation. Either way, we have a good scheme, although we need to review it. Auctioneers will tell you that the starting point for a valuation for any derelict or old property in rural Ireland is €70,000 before they even look at it. That is fuelled by the scheme. Equally, construction costs have soared. There is momentum building behind the scheme and there is considerable interest in it because it is one of the quickest, most secure, easiest and most cost beneficial ways to get a new home or a starter home in Ireland at the moment. It is great for rural communities because it brings life back to them. However, we urgently need to review the scheme. If we are going to review it, we must send out a clear message to let people know that a review is coming, that it will be timely and we will make a quick decision in that regard. On that point and in respect of other housing issues, I want the Minister for housing to come to the Chamber as soon as possible.
I raise an issue in my home town of Enniscorthy, namely, the need for Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, to fund a town bus service. At the moment, there are four seven-day-a-week services that are funded by Transport for Ireland. They crisscross the town, servicing various different routes. Unfortunately, this means there is no designated service in the town at the moment. While great work for Enniscorthy has been done by Ms Mary B. O'Leary, the general manager of the Transport for Ireland Local Link service, the reality is that approximately 13,000 people are now residing in the town. We have a target, through the Enniscorthy decarbonisation zone, of a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030. While great work is under way to ensure a viable transport service, without funding from TII and the Minister for Transport, the concept and idea cannot be implemented. I call on the Minister for Transport and TII to accept the findings of the survey that is being done at the moment in collaboration with UCD and Trinity College Dublin and fund this service so that the people residing in Enniscorthy can have their own designated town bus service.
We are now five weeks from Storm Éowyn and while ESB crews worked tirelessly to restore power, broadband services remain in total disarray. Many people across Cavan and Monaghan are still without a connection for broadband, landlines and network coverage. People are completely stranded, especially those working from home and those whose livelihood depends on connectivity. I will take the example of a family in my constituency who recently brought home their newborn baby. What should be a time of celebration is consumed with anxiety and stress, as they have to drive 10 km to an out farm because they cannot access their calving camera.
It might sound like a small thing to us, but it is extremely frustrating for them. They are not alone. Many rural areas already suffer from poor mobile phone networks, making landlines and broadband essential, yet broadband providers are nowhere to be found. There is no customer service, no accountability and no urgency to restore services.
People are looking to the Government for help. They feel ignored and badly let down. I invite the Minister to drive around Cavan and Monaghan and see for himself the appalling state of communications infrastructure there - Eir lines holding up falling trees, cables drooping dangerously low and dangling along ditches, and thousands of poles like little leaning towers of Pisa. The damage is so obvious, with no sign of a provider service crew. How is this acceptable? Broadband providers seem to be answerable to nobody.
If this were Dublin, it would be sorted in days. Why is rural Ireland being left behind again and again? I call on the Minister for communications, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and the Minister of State, Deputy Alan Dillon, to hold broadband providers to account. There should be no more excuses, no more evading answers and no more delays. People have already waited five weeks.
I would like to request from the Leader a debate on, and an exploration from the Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, of, a second railway station for Drogheda, County Louth. Drogheda is Ireland's largest town and is currently being serviced by one train station on the south side of the town which is under severe pressure as it stands. There is not enough parking to service the commuters. If you are not there by 6.45 a.m., there is not a hope of any parking.
The idea of a north-side train station was in a local area plan originally and then was dropped from the local area plan. I would like to see it put back in and see the possibility. Almost 7,500 new houses are being built on the north side of the town. I would like to see a new north-side railway station on the site of the third part of the northern access route, the port access northern cross route or, as it is more commonly known, the PANCR road. It would be ideally located there. The second phase is just beginning. It is almost shovel ready. The third stage would then be the ideal point to put in a tunnel to be able to access a train station.
What is happening at the moment is that all the commuter traffic is going through the town and blocking the town, because there is a toll leading in and out of Drogheda and people are obviously using the town centre to avoid that toll. It makes absolute common sense to put a northern rail station there which could act as an entire transport hub for that part of the county. I could envisage traffic coming from Slane, Castlebellingham, Dunleer and from all that part of the county to park and ride there and get the train across to the other side, making sure the commuters leaving Drogheda are there at the best possible time. We are told it is coming down the track - pardon the pun - that we will be in the fairer fares scheme. That has been long delayed. It is about time Drogheda was seen as a proper commuter hub for the north east.
I formally request the presence of the Minister for arts, media and communication, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, before this Chamber to address a number of profoundly concerning developments that have transpired within his Department. I am not referring in this instance to the inherited €7 million IT controversy or the oversized scanner.
The first matter pertains to the recent disclosure, only last week, that An Garda Síochána has been authorised to survey the private communications of the Irish publication Gript. This authorisation was granted by a District Court judge utilising a legal mechanism designed primarily for the investigation of drug trafficking, money laundering and the financing of terrorist organisations. The Minister must clarify whether his Department views this as an inappropriate application of this legal instrument. Following the revelation, the publication sought clarification from An Garda Síochána regarding whether this instrument has been employed to investigate other publications, a query to which the Garda did not provide a response. Should the Garda decline to answer, I urge the Minister to come before us and provide that information.
The second issue involves the Abbey Theatre’s refusal to host a play that addresses the experiences of the victims and survivors of the 7 October massacre in Israel, which debuted in New York last year. After several weeks of being denied the opportunity to privately rent the theatre space on the grounds of prior bookings, the playwrights, Phelim McAleer and Ann McElhinney, were subsequently informed that their work was deemed incompatible with the remit of the theatre’s programming aims and ambitions. Meanwhile, the director of the theatre, Mr. Mark O’Brien, publicly shared his meeting with a Palestinian theatre group on social media. Considering the Abbey Theatre receives up to 80% of its funding from the Government, how does the Minister plan to guarantee that such venues remain true spaces for free expressions and artistic creativity? I ask this House to reflect on the fact that the Abbey Theatre was once a venue that braved through the street riots during the premiere of Synge’s The Playboy of the Western World, which is now a celebrated part of our national artistic heritage. What future awaits our art scene if this is the current state of affairs?
I rise today to speak to the subject of special needs and disability, not from the usual angle but from the angle of the families of these people. Through my current work and also through a previous life, I have assisted families with assessments of need applications, therapy applications, etc. I always found it difficult to deal with the families because many of them are hurt and let down. While I thought that might just be me being a sensitive soul - although many Senators might not think I am, I am - over the weekend, I spoke to a few councillors who are also helping families that are trying to move on with their lives with members who have a disability. I feel compelled to bring this issue up today to try to get the Minister in and to start a debate on this matter. I feel very helpless.
We can do things for the person with the disability - we can move them, try to get them up the queue, or try to get some monetary supports for them - but what about the families? For example, I spoke to one mother who has a six-month-old baby with special needs. She described it as like planning to go to France on holidays but the plane lands in Spain and you have a new life to plan. Everything just happens together. These families have a lot going on. It is also hard on siblings who have someone with additional needs in the family. It is called additional needs for a reason. There is a lot going on. I ask for some discussion on this matter for these families, please.
I wish to raise the issue of the triple lock. It has been reported widely that the Government is considering removing the triple lock and will introduce legislation to do so in the coming weeks. I have some serious questions for everyone in this House in this regard. I am trying to be as constructive as I can. The triple lock consists of a UN Security Council resolution, or UN Assembly approval, as well as Dáil and Oireachtas approval. Those are the three layers. If the UN dimension is removed, it does not revert to a double lock, but rather just one. A simple Dáil majority could send Irish men and women to a conflict zone. I am worried about that because we need to know what other mechanisms will be in place. At the moment, we can only send 12 troops overseas without the mandate of the triple lock. For example, we have sent troops to Afghanistan from 2002 onwards. Irish troops served in Afghanistan with NATO in that peace enforcement mission. I am not even sure many Irish people are aware that Irish troops, under the Irish flag, served in Afghanistan for quite a lengthy period of time. Why not just raise that number, which is within the gift of the Government, from 12, which is effectively section strength, to, let us say, 120, which is company strength? That could deal with the emergencies that arise, like repatriating citizens from an airport or carrying out humanitarian or emergency response work, and we could leave the triple lock in place.
It would remove the difficulty the UN Security Council mandate poses. If we are just going to go to a simple majority, will it be a free vote? It should be a free vote? Nobody in here should be whipped into sending Irish troops abroad and into harm's way. It should be a free conscience vote. If we are sending troops overseas, there has to be some sort of veto or safety valve. Should the Council of State be convened to review a Government decision? I trust the Government but it does not always get things right and we need to be really careful about that. Let us not have our troops sent abroad by simple Government majority in the same way it has guillotined legislation through this House without reference to any argument. We need to be very careful about our military non-alignment and neutral status. Despite what has been said in the media over and over again, our international partners have no problem with our military non-alignment. They respect it. It is a national competency. It is being framed at the moment in the context of the Trump Presidency and the war in Ukraine as something we should get rid of or be ashamed of. That is not the case, so let us not use the triple lock as a stepping stone - a manufacture of consent - to dilute, erode or remove our neutrality.
There is much debate and commentary about the lack of prison spaces in our country. There is no doubt that there is urgent need for prison places and we should get on with it as a matter of urgency because it is so badly needed. With the best will in the world, it will take years to have a new prison or two new prisons as the case may be. With that in mind, it is a very opportune time for us to have a debate on and conversation about community service, how we can expand community service and what we can learn from other jurisdictions about how they handle community service because there is no doubt that it has a role to play. In light of the current revolving door situation in our prisons, it is an apt subject. I ask the Leader to request that the Minister for Justice come to the House so we can have a debate on it. It costs in the region of €85,000 per annum to keep someone incarcerated in our prisons for 12 months. This is a serious amount of money. There are loads of things at which we can look across community service, such as litter picking, taking graffiti off a wall or tidying up our towns. Surely there is a role that could be played with regard to our forests in the wake of the recent storm we had. These are just a number of areas we should be exploring. We also need to explore who supervises these workers when they are out there. I would be grateful if we could organise a debate on the expansion of community service as soon as possible.
I want to raise an issue that occurred in the past 24 hours. We heard how a former Member of this House, Lynn Boylan, who is now an MEP, was refused entry and deported when attempting to visit Israel as a part of an official EU delegation in an official capacity on an Irish diplomatic passport. Two Members of the European Parliament and their officials were denied entry to Israel and denied the right to perform their roles in terms of international observation and international diplomacy.
This points to a time when we are still seeing extraordinary breaches of human rights. These include 162 healthcare workers for whose release the UN has been calling, reports of mistreatment and torture, six children frozen overnight because shelter was not allowed to enter the Gaza Strip, a new massive expansion of settlements and the tanks that rolled through the West Bank very recently. These are all important. It is important that we look at them.
The Taoiseach spoke yesterday about the international rules-based order and how important it is, but the international rules-based order and international law are important in the principle that they are applied everywhere and for everyone. Ireland has the opportunity to be the champions on international law and the international rules-based order by showing that we take breaches of those rules and laws very seriously and take actions such as the appropriate basic action of passing the full occupied territories Bill. That is just one piece.
Giving leadership in these ways is how Ireland shows courage. There is nothing in the triple lock that stops Ireland from providing leadership on international law and its implementation. There is nothing that stops us showing leadership when it comes to the areas I have spoken about on previous occasions, such as data and online regulation. We have seen the attempts to disrupt the German elections, for example. There is a reason people are giving out about regulation. It is because regulation has an impact. Finally-----
You are-----
I will come to my conclusion.
I know, but you are over time.
As I come to it-----
I want to point out that I have given a lot of latitude, but there is a clock for a reason.
If you want to-----
I will conclude.
Senator, I am making a general point. If you want your three minutes, come in for the start. If your speech is going to take over three minutes, you might want to bring it up as a Commencement matter.
That is fine. I join with what Senator Clonan said. We need policies that are clear and we do not need to dismantle our triple lock if Ireland is going to show leadership. That we are doing it because other countries were embarrassed sends a sign we need a triple lock and we cannot trust our Government to say "No" when it needs to say "No" and to say "Yes" in terms of the implementation of international law when it needs to say "Yes".
I thank all Senators for their contributions today. Senators O'Loughlin and McCarthy spoke about the Ukraine war. We will have a minute's silence tomorrow after the Order of Business to mark the third anniversary of the war. I urge Members to be in attendance. I will bring forward the larger point on a debate with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence on what is an important issue.
The €6 million in funding for the just transition was mentioned. I believe Kildare did quite well out of that funding, with some €1.9 million in total. The aim of that funding is to rebalance employment opportunities.
A debate on eating disorders was also sought, and I will ask for that in the future. It is possibly linked to mental health issues and is a real issue for many people who are suffering.
Senator Joe O'Reilly spoke about the importance of the St. Patrick's Day visits to showcase all that is positive. He asked that the Minister of State, Neale Richmond, who has responsibility for the diaspora and international development, comes to the House. I will try to arrange that debate. It is an important issue in the run-up to St. Patrick's Day.
Senator Malcolm Noonan spoke about craft practitioners. I am not fully aware of the issue at stake. Perhaps he could request a Commencement debate on the topic. I will raise the issue with the Minister, Peter Burke.
Senator Eileen Flynn spoke about the recognition of Travellers as an ethnic minority. Legislation to that effect was passed by the Houses in 2017. She called for the continuation of the special committee on Travellers and Travellers' rights. I will raise the matter with the Tánaiste and leader of our party. I am not sure when the committees will be established. There have been a number of calls relating to disability, drugs and Traveller rights. I will ask for the Senator's request to be included. I commend her work on the issue, as well as that of former Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, who did a lot of work as Vice Chair of the committee, and all of the members who participated.
Senator Costello spoke about the Tallaght parade returning, and I wish all involved well in their endeavours on St. Patrick's Day. It is important the work of volunteers, sports clubs, local authorities and everyone involved in the St. Patrick's Day parade in the community is acknowledged.
I hope the sun shines, there is a good crowd and people appreciate their local community, whether it be in Tallaght or elsewhere.
Senator Mark Duffy spoke about the challenges of the housing crisis in Mayo. That is replicated across the country. He made very important points about the county development plans, local area plans, the Office of the Planning Regulator, the Minister and zoning decisions being overruled. As I understand, the Senator has put down a Commencement matter. I urge him to continue to put down that Commencement matter - maybe the Cathaoirleach's office might look favourably on it - and to raise the matter directly with the Minister. It is a specific issue as regards the Ballina town plan but it is replicated in other areas. I have come across it in Galway and other areas. The Office of the Planning Regulator was set up for a specific reason in the context of previous planning tribunals, but I know the question has been raised on numerous occasions as to whether it is in tune with what is needed in terms of our local area plans and the zoning of land.
Senator Craughwell talked about experts on defence, and he has pedigree as one, as do Senator Clonan and others. Senator Craughwell talked about the triple lock and neutrality, as did Senators Clonan and Higgins. The Minister and the Government are examining options and proposals. Some would say time and world events have overtaken the triple lock; I know Senator Craughwell would disagree respectfully. I will ask the Minister to come in at the earliest opportunity to discuss these things. I am not sure exactly when a Bill would be brought to Cabinet on this but I will certainly ask the Minister. The Senator suggested increasing the minimum number that could be deployed as an alternative or as a possibility. I will certainly raise that.
Senators Ollie Crowe and Sarah O'Reilly talked about broadband access. This is a hot topic across the country. In Galway County Council yesterday, the issue that arose among councillors was broadband access following Storm Éowyn. We will have an opportunity tomorrow to discuss the fallout of Storm Éowyn and to look to the future. The Minister, James Browne, as I understand, will be in tomorrow. I understand that responsibility for communications will transfer from one Department to the Department of the Minister, Patrick O'Donovan, in the near future. I will ask for a debate with the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, on this matter. I know he recently met with Eir and broadband operators to discuss the issues and their plans for the future. It is certainly a very important issue.
Senators Manus Boyle and Noel O'Donovan raised issues of flooding. Flooding can be so traumatic for communities. They feel helpless. The power of water, whether it be in a town or elsewhere, coming down at them is very difficult and traumatic. On the specific issues, if the Senators want to put down a Commencement matter on specific updates on their local towns, whether it be Killybegs or Ballinascarty, they could do that. We will request an overall debate with the Minister of State, Kevin Boxer Moran, as well regarding flooding and Government responses to it.
Senator Pat Casey spoke about a newspaper article written by Fionnán Sheahan in which "a government source" is reported. I am not sure who the Government source is. The Senator would have to ask the author who that Government source was. I do not believe it was any senior Minister who said that. National policy, as Senator Duffy talked about, as well as the figures and the OPR, determines the levels and amount of land that can be zoned. In the past, there were concerns of overzoning of land. That was changed and tightened up by previous governments. The Office of the Planning Regulator has a role now, together with the national planning framework, which determines the total number of homes that are allowed within different parts of the country. That is broken down then to the local area plans. There may be a case for reviewing that and certainly for upping the figures, and I know the Tánaiste has mentioned that, but I cannot comment as to who or at what level that Government source was. Senator Casey would have to ask the author of the article.
Senator Flaherty requested that the Minister for housing come to the House to discuss positive numbers in regard to the Croí Cónaithe scheme. He called for a debate on housing as soon as possible in order that the Minister, Deputy Browne, can give an update on his priorities as a new Minister, taking on board, of course, the programme for Government.
Senator Cathal Byrne raised a specific issue regarding bus services in Enniscorthy and called for a designated town service. Fianna Fáil will put forward a motion on transport during Private Members' business tomorrow, which might provide an opportunity for the Senator to raise that matter with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. If not, the Senator can put it forward as a Commencement matter.
Senator Comyn spoke about a second railway station for Drogheda. Again, she might make that case tomorrow during the Private Members' business motion put forward by her party. If not, she might consider raising it on the Commencement debate. Drogheda is one of Ireland's largest towns and many people have advocated for it to have city status. I am sure the Senator will continue that fight, as well as for its inclusion under the fairer fares scheme, in the House.
Senator Keogan requested that the Minister for the arts come to the House. I will draw his attention to the two issues she raised, of which I was not aware. It is important we have free speech and that a publicly funded space is available for all sides. That is a fair assessment of the issues. I certainly will draw the Minister's attention to them.
Senator Murphy O'Mahony requested a debate on disability issues. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, to come to the House. A number of Senators have asked in recent weeks for a debate on the challenges for families and the pressures they are under. People come to our offices on behalf of their loved ones, whether small children or adult children, because they are worried about their future. Those children could be in their 50s or 60s. It is a real issue. I will request that the Minister of State come in to speak on issues such as therapies and assessment of needs.
Senator Gallagher talked about the lack of prison spaces and the expansion of the community service programme. He might raise this as a Commencement matter or he can put it to the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, who will be in the Chamber shortly to discuss related matters.
Senator Higgins spoke about former Senator Lynn Boylan being deported from Israel. On the front of every Irish passport is a message from the Minister for Foreign Affairs asking that the bearer of the passport be afforded the right to travel, etc. Israel is a sovereign country that shall determine its own immigration policies. At the same time, Lynn Boylan is an elected representative of this country and an Irish citizen. I certainly hope this will not be a new standard from Israel in respect of allowing people into the country.
Order of Business agreed to.
Cuireadh an Seanad ar fionraí ar 5.03 p.m. agus cuireadh tús leis arís ar 5.17 p.m.
Sitting suspended at 5.03 p.m and resumed at 5.17 p.m.