Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 27 Sep 2022

Vol. 288 No. 6

Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters

Mental Health Services

Senator Fiona O'Loughlin

I appreciate that the Cathaoirleach has selected this important Commencement matter. I raised it last week on the Order of Business and the Cathaoirleach rightly pointed out that I should do so as part of a Commencement debate.

Recently, during a constituency clinic in Newbridge, I met Olive Cross, who heads up a group called Therapists For Change. This is a group of 900 psychotherapists who have come together to work towards improving the mental health service in Ireland and to professionalise the service they are offering. These are very highly skilled and educated practitioners. At present, we have over 8,000 psychotherapists and counsellors qualified, accredited and insured in Ireland, which is a very valuable resource. The issue I raise with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is in regard to the registration of these professionals. As it stands, the HSE will not employ someone with a level 8 honours degree in psychotherapy and counselling without them having a second allied health degree, such as social care, speech therapy or nursing.

We all know the number of people who need support with their mental health. However, in many instances, people are using medication and are being prescribed medication when they really need talk therapy, and the underlying issue is not actually being dealt with. It is very important that they have the opportunity to access these professionals.

We are aware of previous issues with rogue psychotherapists. In 2019, the then Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, appointed 13 experts in the field to a new board. This board was tasked with ensuring high standards of professional conduct, education, training and competence among counsellors and psychotherapists. We were told at that stage that the new board would undertake a substantial piece of work before it launched a register. That is obviously something that Therapists For Change is very keen to see established. It was envisaged that this would take up to two years but it is now three years later and we have not heard anything. I want to know where this project is at and when we can expect to see progress.

This is very important. Ensuring that the people of Ireland receive timely, high-quality and impartial counselling and psychotherapy is of paramount importance. A recent report from Jigsaw noted that, in 2021, it had received its highest ever number of referrals and it saw a 104% increase in demand for its online live chat service and a 144% increase in demand for its email support. In February, the HSE’s child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, reported a 40% increase. Recent analysis from the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, has shown the impact of Covid, with 40% of young men and 55% of young women classified as depressed, which is very concerning news for all of us. We all know of the waiting lists for people trying to access psychology services.

I have painted the picture. As the Minister of State knows, I could go on with stark statistics in the area of mental health in this country. We have seen failures in the past. We have all lost someone to suicide. We all know someone who has suffered with their mental health. Most of us, if we are to be honest, can say that we have at times suffered with our own mental health. We need to do what we can to ensure people get the services they deserve. The overriding message that I took away from my dealings with Therapists For Change is that they want to be able to help.

Its members want to be able, in a regulated and compassionate way, to relieve the pain faced by so many. At the moment, they are being blocked from doing this due to the lack of a central registration process and by burdensome admittance criteria. Psychotherapists have been promised regulation but it has not been delivered. As an addendum to that, students who are looking to go into this area need to see a clear path to how they can receive accreditation to do the work. I appreciate the Minister of State listening and I hope there will be a response on this issue.

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Anne Rabbitte)

I thank Senator O'Loughlin for giving me an opportunity, on behalf of the Minister for Health, to inform the House of the progress made to date on the establishment of the registration board for psychotherapists. The Minister apologises for not being able to come to the Chamber to take the matter.

The Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 provides for the protection of the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct, professional education, training and competence through statutory registration of health and social care professions designated under the Act. The legislation is being implemented on a phased basis as registration boards and their registers are being established. Out of the 17 professions designated for regulation, 12 registration boards are currently operating for 15 professions. A profession for regulation is either designated in the Act or can be designated by means of an order made by the Minister for Health under the Act when, following a consultation process, he or she considers it is appropriate and in the public interest that the profession be so designated.

As the Senator will be aware, regulations under SI 170 of 2018 were made by the then Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, in 2018. The effect of those regulations is to designate the professions of counsellor and psychotherapist under the 2005 Act and to establish one registration board for both professions. The Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board was established in November 2018 and its members were duly appointed in February 2019. The board held its inaugural meeting in May 2019 and has held a total of 20 meetings since it was established. Its work includes consideration of the titles to be protected, the minimum qualifications to be required of existing practitioners and the qualifications that will be required for future graduates.

While the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board has begun working towards regulation of those professions, a substantial body of work requires to be undertaken before a register may be opened. The work of the board is significantly more challenging than it is for registration boards for some of the more established professions, owing to the many different educational pathways into the professions and the variety of specialties and titles used. To date, the board has made progress in a number of areas. This includes the identification, verification and comprehensive assessment of legacy and historical qualifications to determine whether they are appropriate for transitioning existing practitioners onto the respective registers when open. The board has also conducted scoping and research on the regulation of counsellors and psychotherapists internationally. In addition, it has commenced the drafting of separate and distinct standards of proficiency for both counsellors and psychotherapists.

To add my own tuppence worth, I could not agree more with the Senator that young people who are qualifying as psychotherapists and counsellors need clear pathways to professionalism. As Minister of State with responsibility for disability services, I am concerned that parents who seek an assessment of needs from private practitioners are protected. They must be sure the people from whom they seek a service meet the professional criteria. We need a proper register for those practitioners. Far too often, when parents have sought a private assessment of needs, the practitioners are not recognised. This issue is relevant not just in one field but right across the board, including the disability sector. I welcome the Senator's Commencement matter.

Senator Fiona O'Loughlin

I thank the Minister of State for responding to my Commencement matter. I appreciate that she has outlined the progress made in terms of what the registration board must examine. However, I am concerned that no timeline was mentioned in the response she was given by the Department of Health. The reality is that while we await proper and appropriate accreditation, there is nothing to stop me, her or anybody else with no qualification or training from opening a counselling service tomorrow morning. That is a danger to which members of the are exposed.

As I mentioned, in the absence of the HSE being able to refer people who need counselling and psychotherapy reports, people on waiting lists are accessing medication as a support. Obviously medication has its place but in the majority of cases talk therapy gets to the root of the problem. I honestly believe we have a mental health crisis and not only based on some of the statistics I mentioned. This issue must be a priority for the Government and Minister for Health. I would appreciate if the Minister of State conveyed that message and asked for the coherent and cogent timelines we would expect.

Deputy Anne Rabbitte

I trust the Senator will appreciate that, but for the day that is in it, the Minister for Health would be in the Chamber to address this very serious issue. I will inform him that no timelines were outlined and that significant work is required to prevent rogue operators operating in the industry. That is why we need this sector regulated to protect all. I thank the Senator for tabling her Commencement matter.

Hospital Services

Senator Maria Byrne

I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this important topic and the Minister of State for coming to the House to address the issue.

I recently met members of a concerned support group which works with diabetics in the mid-west. The issues they raised included long waiting lists, having to wait for appointments and insufficient staff numbers. As late as yesterday, I spoke to somebody who has been waiting for eight years to see a consultant endocrinologist at University Hospital Limerick, UHL. Yesterday, the individual in question received a phone call to say that a diagnosis would be done over the phone on Thursday. While I know this involves the public health system, a wait of eight years is unacceptable.

Diabetes is a very serious condition but it can be managed and people can have a great quality of life. The other day, I attended a briefing in the audiovisual room and I am grateful to the people who contributed. While I know a little about diabetes, I still found the briefing an eye-opener. Meeting members of the support groups has been education for me as regards the current shortages.

How many vacant posts are there for consultant endocrinologists, advanced nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, staff nurses and dieticians in the University Limerick Hospitals Group, ULHG? These staff are very important and play a key role in treating and working with people who are diabetic. Many people have type 1 diabetes, while many others have type 2 diabetes or are borderline diabetic. Having proper staff in place helps people to change their lifestyle and eating habits and prevents the development of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The person to whom I referred had hair eight years ago but now has none. That person is still waiting to see a consultant, which is a serious situation.

This person does not know whether they have diabetes because they have not seen anyone. They have been attending his own doctor but they have waited eight years. That is not acceptable. That is why I put down tabled a question regarding how many vacancies there are and whether they are being filled. One or two nurse practitioner positions have been filled but there are still many vacancies. If the positions are being filled across the sector, how many staff do we expect at UHL in the near future? If vacancies are not being filled, when is it planned to fill them?

Deputy Anne Rabbitte

I thank the Senator for the opportunity to address the House on this important matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly. I assure the Senator that the Government remains fully committed to improving patient services and ensuring patient-centred care throughout the country. That commitment can be seen through the unprecedented level of funding that is being targeted right across the health service from budget 2022. This investment is benefiting many patients throughout the country and will ensure hospitals can continue to develop the services they provide, including diabetic services in the mid-west region. The University Limerick Hospitals Group has advised that it has made positive progress recently in recruiting staff for the adult diabetic services. Following successful recruitment campaigns a consultant endocrinologist commenced post in UHL in May 2022 and an additional consultant endocrinologist is due to take up post in October 2022. That is welcome, although it is little comfort for the person waiting eight years. It is a positive step in the right direction.

In December 2020, the University Limerick Hospitals Group received funding to recruit three additional dietetic posts for the treatment of adult diabetes. The funding was made available through the national clinical programme for diabetes and these posts include two senior dieticians and one staff grade dietician. These posts have now been filled. The adult diabetes service is also supported by a dedicated team of four clinical nurse specialists, CNS, and staff nurses. Four diabetic CNS posts have been approved for UHL and following recruitment campaigns, all four CNS are now in place. Three diabetic staff nurses are also in post in the hospital.

UHL recently became a dose adjustment for normal eating, DAFNE, accredited centre. Staff training is currently taking place and the University Limerick Hospitals Group anticipates that this programme will commence in quarter 4 2022. It is clear that significant work has been progressed in the hospital regarding the development of its diabetes service and some of that work is ongoing. The group informed the Department of Health that diabetes services continue to be a core focus for it and it remains committed to improving this service for patients in Limerick and across the mid-west.

Senator Byrne has asked clearly for the staffing of the service in a tabular format. Unfortunately, that was not available at such short notice but the Department has advised me to inform her that as soon as it comes to hand it will be forwarded directly to her.

Senator Maria Byrne

I thank the Minister of State of her comprehensive response. I welcome the fact that staffing levels have increased. However, for quite some time there was a limited number of staff and that has created a fear factor among people who have the condition. As I said it is a serious condition but once managed, people can have a good quality of life. It is most welcome that staffing levels have increased in recent times. It is totally unacceptable for people to have to wait eight years for an appointment. I welcome the fact that a second consultant has been appointed. It sounds as though an assistant is due to start. That is most welcome. Staff nurses and nurse specialists are covering other areas as well. The clinic is not run every day of the week.

People do not have the confidence, because it was not being run every day of the week, and getting an appointment was driving them to other centres of excellence. While the endocrinologist that is there is excellent, getting an appointment is the biggest problem, because of all the other clinics the endocrinologist has to cover. It is welcome but there is much more to be done. I look forward to the figures coming because there are certain areas where there is a shortage and if staff were there, it would give people with this condition much more confidence to attend the clinics. The shortage of staff was the problem all along so I thank the Minister of State.

Deputy Anne Rabbitte

When the HSE provides the documentation, it will clearly outline exactly what posts are filled and the whole-time-equivalence the Senator talked about regarding how often the clinic is run. I hope the HSE's response also addresses pediatric diabetes in order that we know exactly what will be covered. We in Galway travel down to Limerick for the support on its pediatric diabetes site but I know we are backing up down in Galway and I wonder if the post is still filled in Limerick. I look forward to the Senator getting a response on it. I look forward to the Minister getting the response on it and I think perhaps, on return of that, there might be a further Commencement matter taken.

Transport Costs

Acting Chairperson (Senator Fiona O'Loughlin)

I could not believe more in the third Commencement matter. I raised it in the House last week and I am fully supportive of this. The Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, is very welcome.

Senator Mark Wall

I welcome the Minister of State into the House and I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this Commencement matter. I hope the Minister of State comes with good news. I have heard, in the past number of days, that the young adult card will be extended to 16- to 18-year-olds. I hope the Minister of State will confirm that in his reply. I and, indeed, other colleagues have called for this on a number of occasions in this House.

Over the past number of weeks, I have been contacted by a large number of students and parents who are worried about the cost, especially those who are starting third-level education for the first time. Some of those are only 16, 17 or 18 years of age. They sit alongside colleagues and other fellow students who are aged 19 and who are paying twice what those students pay. That is not acceptable.

I will give some examples in my own area of Kildare South. A 17-year-old who is just beginning first year in Maynooth University is paying €90, compared to the student's older sibling who is paying €45 to take the same bus. In South East Technological University Carlow, we have students who are paying €35 while those under 19 are paying €70. There is an accommodation crisis, of which I am sure the Minister of State will be aware, and a climate crisis. We need to look after those younger people who are travelling and have been left with no option but to travel to third level education.

I hope the Minister of State will confirm in his reply that he has extended this card to 16- and 18-year-olds. That extension would be accepted and welcomed by a great many people, because it is totally unacceptable to have one sibling paying less than another on the same bus or young people paying up to €200 and €250 per month more than those who are older.

Senator Robbie Gallagher

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I very much welcome the 50% public-transport fare reduction for young people aged between 19 and 23. It is a positive development. It makes public transport more accessible for younger people who are attending colleges and universities or doing apprenticeships and training courses. It makes public transport more of an option for those people, as well as helping our emissions from a transport perspective. It is very positive.

I have a number of issues with it.

One issue that I have raised along with my colleagues in the House is that the younger cohort of students, namely those doing their leaving certificate examinations at 17 or 18 years of age, unfortunately do not qualify for this. That is something I would like to see addressed. I look forward to the Minister of State's response on that.

The other issue I wish to raise is more of an issue for those of us who live in the Border counties, including Monaghan, Cavan, Donegal and Louth. In that geographic region, there are many students who travel up north to go to college in places such as Belfast and Derry. Unfortunately, the scheme does not cover them either. Therefore, I have two asks: first, that the scheme be extended so 16-, 17- and 18-year-olds will also be able to avail of the 50% reduction; and second, that the Minister of State consider allowing the students who travel up north for their education to be included in the scheme.

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Malcolm Noonan)

I thank both Senators for raising this issue. Both are correct in the sense that the initiative has been very transformative and positive. It has been very well received. The numbers speak for themselves in terms of both climate action and reducing costs for students.

I understand that the Senators' questions concern plans that the Minister may have to expand the young adult card and student Leap card fare initiative to include all students attending third level education so they can avail of the 50% fare discount on both public service obligation, PSO, and commercial bus operator services.

The Department of Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding in regard to public transport. However, the Department is not involved directly in the day-to-day operation of public transport services nationally. It is the National Transport Authority, NTA, that has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally by way of public transport service contracts, and for the allocation of associated funding to the relevant transport operators.

I reassure the Senators that the Government is strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options, and public transport plays a key role in meeting this goal. To support this objective, in budget 2022 the Department of Transport secured €538 million of funding for PSO and Local Link services provided by State operators and under contract by the NTA this year. A cost-efficient public transport sector, including affordable and accessible public transport services, is vital to a functioning economy.

As Senators are all aware, in recognising the importance of incentivising more young people to use public transport, as part of budget 2022 the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, secured €25 million in funding for the introduction of the young adult card. This exciting initiative allows any young person nationwide between the ages of 19 and 23 to avail of an entitlement to discounted travel and to increase the level of discount over and above the current student discount to an average of 50% across all services, including city, intercity and rural services. Mature students in full-time education are also included in the scheme, as are eligible visitors to Ireland within the young adult age cohort.

The young adult card was initially introduced on PSO services on 9 May, and since then there has been extensive engagement between the Department of Transport, the NTA and representatives from the commercial bus sector to agree upon extending the initiative to commercial bus services as well. That extension has now been agreed and has been in place since 4 September.

This extension of the scheme to the commercial sector means the 50% fare discount for holders of a young adult card, namely those aged between 19 and 23, or a student Leap card is now available on bus services provided by participating commercial bus operators. It is important to note that the discount is in addition to the 20% average fare discount on PSO services that was introduced in May as part of a suite of Government measures to help combat the rising cost of living.

Specifically on the Senators' questions on the eligibility requirements for the young adult card, I am happy to clarify that I have been advised that the NTA is widening the age rules of the scheme to allow 16-, 17-, and 18-year-old students in third level education to apply for the student Leap card so they can also avail of the 50% discount. This is in line with the approach taken with mature students in full-time third level education.

On Senator Gallagher's question on students who travel to the North, the issue of the Border counties is one we can raise with the NTA on foot of this Commencement debate. What I have announced is good and welcome news all round. I thank both Senators for raising the matter.

Senator Mark Wall

The Minister of State kept us waiting right until the very end to announce the good news, but it is very good news that he announced today, as before. I want to welcome this initiative. As the Minister of State said, it is very positive for students and public travel in this country.

The one issue I would like to bring to his attention is the commercial bus operators, to ensure that they are offering this service to as many students as possible. That is essential to this working. Particularly in rural areas, it is commercial bus operators that operate the scheme, as the Minister of State is probably aware. To get as big a bang for our buck as possible, we need to ensure that those bus operators are carrying out the scheme.

It is very positive news. I thank the Minister of State for confirming that with us today.

Senator Robbie Gallagher

I, too, would like to welcome the fact that this scheme is being extended to cover 16-, 17- and 18-year-olds. That is a very positive development.

I have a question for the Minister of State in relation to that extension. Is there a timeframe for its introduction? Many people will be asking when this will come into vogue.

As to students who travel to the North, I would be grateful if the Minister of State could come back to me on that issue after his deliberations with the National Transport Authority, NTA. Bualadh bos. It is very worthwhile and I welcome the news.

Deputy Malcolm Noonan

It is a day of good news all around Leinster House today. It is a welcome development that the eligibility requirements for the scheme are being expanded to allow 16-, 17- and 18-year-old students in third level education to apply for the student Leap card so they can also avail of the 50% discount. I am pleased to be able to reassure Senators Gallagher and Wall that the NTA has already commenced the technical work on expanding the scheme.

I am advised that this work is scheduled to be completed in the coming weeks, at which point those third level students aged 16, 17 and 18 will be able to order a student Leap card and avail of the discount.

On the two specific questions, as I said, we will ask the NTA and get a response on Senator Gallagher's question on the Border counties and particularly on the question on the commercial operators. We will get a response on those.

I thank both Senators for raising this matter. It is certainly a very positive development that young people all over the country and their families will welcome. There is no doubt about it.

Environmental Policy

Senator Lynn Boylan

Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. I dtús báire ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit chuig an Teach. The Minister of State may be aware there is a European Citizens' Initiative at the moment to call on the European Commission to propose an EU legislative Act to ban sponsorships and advertisements by fossil fuel companies. We all know that fossil fuel companies are perpetuating the climate crisis and that advertising climate-damaging products leads to an uplift in their sales. If it did not, why would these companies bother spending millions of euro on ad campaigns? It is very interesting that one case study carried out by the New Weather Institute think tank found regarding a single Audi advertising campaign there was an uplift in sales of up to 132,700 cars. That led to an overall increase of greenhouse gas emissions of 5.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent due to a single advertising campaign by the Audi car company.

We know that banning fossil fuel adverts is a no-brainer. Oil and gas companies have spent decades continuing to mislead the public and politicians on climate change and undercut global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We know that the advertising campaigns focus on idyllic images of wind turbines and solar panels being pumped into our homes, phones and streets.

I have complaints against a number of misleading advertisements in this country by companies such as Applegreen, Bord Gáis and Flogas. It is not fair leaving it to citizens and politicians to be the watchdog and take the individual complaints. Individuals cannot stem the torrent of disinformation; it is just not possible. That is why I am asking that the Government would act to cut the flow at its source.

A ban may seem like a bold move, but Ireland showed great leadership when it did that with tobacco. We can take pride that our State stood up to big tobacco. Now, we have to stand up to the big oil and gas companies by banning fossil fuel advertisements.

Fossil fuel sponsorships are also being used for political access. In 2016, an Unearthed investigation found that BP used its sponsorship deal with the British Museum and a specific Day of the Dead exhibition to further its oil plans in Mexico and Australia.

Freedom of information, FOI, requests revealed that BP had sought to access Mexican and British Government figures at a private event by the British Museum as part of the BP-sponsored Day of the Dead festival just one month before bidding opened for new deepwater drilling permits controlled by the Mexican Government. There are multiple examples of fossil fuel companies using these sponsorships to advance their own business via the granted access of sponsorships. In Ireland, for example, we have the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre and sponsorship of the GAA, and Mag Mell Energy and other gas companies sponsor conferences. I commend the Irish comedians Michael Fry, Hannah Mamalis and Seán Burke, who have done stellar work over recent weeks in making arguments for the European Citizens' Initiative. I do not know if the Minister of State has seen those comedians' videos but, if not, I urge him to take a look at them because they are excellent. If I have not convinced him, the Irish comedians might.

The latest figures show that thousands of Irish people have signed up to the European Citizens' Initiative. However, the proposal has to be considered at a European level, and thousands more would have to sign up at banfossilfuelads.org in order for that to happen. At this point, therefore, we need the Government to show leadership, take that initiative, follow other European countries and ban fossil fuel adverts, rather than waiting for the European Commission to do so.

Deputy Malcolm Noonan

I agree wholeheartedly with all Senator Boylan has said in the sense that we know the divisiveness of advertising in general by companies that are environmentally destructive. As for attempts to compare advertising of tobacco, fast food, gambling and alcohol, they are distinctly different but similar in many ways. I will not name companies but we have seen that one company was able to rebrand itself as Beyond Petroleum for many years.

I have seen the videos the Senator spoke about and they are excellent. I welcome the fact that the Department has signed a number of European citizen initiatives, with Irish citizens also involved in signing them. I urge young people and people all over Ireland to get involved in the European Citizens' Initiative.

The matter the Senator has raised for discussion is really one for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, but I will outline briefly, in the time I have remaining, Ireland's commitment to transitioning away from fossil fuels. It is recognised internationally that that is the best way forward. As a founder member of the Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance, an international coalition of governments and stakeholders working together to facilitate the managed phase-out of oil and gas production, Ireland is committed to that initiative.

Domestically, new solid fuel regulations will come into force on 31 October and will introduce minimum quality standards that will apply to all solid fuels distributed throughout the State. That will ensure that the most polluting fuels can no longer be made available on the Irish market and will assist the public in transitioning to less polluting alternatives. The regulations also ensure that selling non-approved solid fuel products from retail premises, on the Internet or by means of other media will not be permitted. The new regulations are necessary as each year some 1,300 people die prematurely in Ireland due to air pollution from solid fuel burning. It is estimated that over 16,200 life years are lost, while many people also experience a poor quality of life due to the associated short-term and long-term health impacts of pollution. It increases hospitalisation with respiratory illnesses every year as well.

I turn now to the vast programme of work the Government is doing to rapidly replace fossils fuels in our energy system directly with renewable energy sources, led by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and his Department. It is important to emphasise the scale and ambition of the programme the Government is delivering on to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and make Ireland a world leader in the delivery of renewable energy as part of a global drive to a net-zero carbon economy.

The 2021 climate action plan sets out the roadmap to meeting Ireland's target of a 51% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2030, including a suite of measures and actions to increase the share of electricity demand generated from renewable sources to up to 80%. With the agreement of the sectoral emissions ceilings in July of this year, the Government has committed to an increase in the renewable energy targets, including additional resources for solar - more than doubling the target to 5,500 MW - and offshore, moving from 5 GW to 7 GW, with the additional 2 GW earmarked for the production of green hydrogen. The Government is committed to increasing the supply of renewable energy to our grid in line with these targets and the overriding need to accelerate the delivery of renewable energy projects in the context of energy price rises and energy market volatility.

Renewable energy is critical to enabling our transition to a low-carbon economy. Ireland is a world leader in onshore wind energy and we have enormous potential to similarly become a world leader in offshore wind energy and to harness our solar energy resources, including rooftops and ground-mounted solar. I welcome the Senator bringing the issue forward. It is a matter for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Ireland is committed to eliminating our reliance on fossil fuels. That is the way forward. The Senator made a valid point regarding how dangerous, sinister and manipulative the advertising can be. I welcome the European Citizens' Initiative and any issue the State can raise on that.

Senator Lynn Boylan

I thank the Minister of State for endorsing and supporting the European Citizens' Initiative. I encourage anybody who has not yet done so to sign up for it. The Minister of State might have a chat with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he sees him next and suggest that he supports a ban at state level. France and the Netherlands have done this. Lanzarote has gone one step further and banned advertisements altogether across the island, which is my preferred model. We will take it in baby steps. Fossil fuel adverts are misleading and are deliberately trying to give an impression that these companies are focusing away from fossil fuel extraction and looking at renewables when we know the reality is that a tiny percentage is focused on renewables. Theirs is a business-as-usual philosophy.

If the Minister of State wants to help and cannot get a ban over the line, he might have a chat with his Government colleagues about how we regulate advertising in this country. It is a process of self-regulation and it is cumbersome to make a complaint. It takes a long time and advertisements are rarely overturned for being misleading. At the end of the day, they have been run anyway and have done their purpose. It would be good if we could at least tighten the regulation of advertising, if not implement a ban on fossil fuel adverts.

Deputy Malcolm Noonan

As a positive way forward, I support the thrust of the Senator's proposal. One way forward might be to bring the matter before the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment for discussion as well as before the Joint Committee on Climate Action. It would be worthwhile to discuss the impact of such advertising and how we could meet that challenge in an Irish context. Good work has been done in recent years on restricting gambling advertising and advertising in respect of alcohol, and the harm that is doing. A discussion at both those committees, for starters, would be a positive step forward in trying to address the issue. As I said at the outset, I see how sinister and manipulative the advertising can be as companies scramble when they see their business model is failing. It is important that we have these discussions.

Cuireadh an Seanad ar fionraí ar 12.48 p.m. agus cuireadh tús leis arís ar 3.30 p.m.

Sitting suspended at 12.48 p.m. and resumed at 3.30 p.m.