I thank all Members who contributed on the Order of Business. Senator Conway raised the important issue that the National Council for the Blind of Ireland, which has been doing work with the Department of communications for more than 20 years, lost out on a tender process. That was not the Senator's issue. His point was that six visually impaired staff members who have been doing that work for a long time will not be taken on by the new company that has the contract to do the work. The Senator believes it is illegal and that there should be a transfer of staff. He has asked for the Minister to intervene. I hope that happens and that those six staff members are looked after.
Senator Byrne raised a number of issues. He welcomed his colleagues, Emma, Yvonne and Michelle, who are concerned with the Wexford school bus issue, to the Seanad. He also raised the public sector pay talks and again called for section 39 workers to be tied into that agreement.
He also raised a worrying Healthy Ireland survey showing an increase in the use of vapes or e-cigarettes from 6% to 8%. Very worryingly, 20% of women aged 15-24 now use vape products. The vaping Bill is progressing through the Seanad and much work is being done. Many of the vaping companies are the tobacco companies. They got out ahead quite early. It is a concern that there are vaping products or e-cigarettes that have certain flavours or colourful packaging. It seems they are targeting younger people and children, which is really insidious. We are making moves to address that. He also acknowledged that it is the 60th anniversary of the JFK assassination, a poignant date and one to be remembered in the House.
Senator Craughwell mentioned the Niemba ambush and read into the record the names of those impacted. He also called for the development of a diabetes strategy. I suggest that would be appropriate for a Commencement matter to the Minister for Health.
Senator Gavan spoke of aviation policy and welcomed the fact the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, is looking at that. I agree with the Senator’s remarks. There is clearly an imbalance. Those of us west of the Shannon would look to fly from Knock or Shannon if possible and Dublin is the airport of last resort because it is so congested. There is plenty of capacity. I understand the argument is often made that airlines look to get routes out of Dublin but perhaps if there was a more level playing field, the offer of a route from Shannon or Knock would be more attractive to those airlines. Much work needs to happen. It balances the regions and is better for the region. Airports like Shannon and Knock support jobs and industry in the region and there is scope to take pressure off Dublin, which would benefit Dublin and people travelling from Dublin as well. It is a win-win and we look forward to the review of the aviation policy. I concur with Senator Gavan’s remarks on James McClean, as did Senator Davitt. I wish him well in the next chapter, whatever that brings for him.
Senator Davitt spoke of the mounting challenges facing small businesses, including the proposed increases in PRSI. With the challenges of recent years, businesses are under pressure. There has been considerable financial support from Government, which is acknowledged by the business sector, but I take on board the Senator’s comments. We will look to get a debate on that issue in the new term, though it is unlikely with the amount of legislation coming through that we will get that debate in during the coming weeks.
Senator Kyne welcomed the Moycullen bypass and the fast-tracking of the Adare bypass. He has, unsurprisingly, posed the question for people in Galway of what is happening with the outer ring road for Galway city. There is considerable support for that. I acknowledge also that members of the Green Party, in particular, would be opposed to the development of that road. I can attest from personal experience, having lived in Galway and visited there regularly, it is choked with traffic and it is difficult to get to work, school or college. In my view, it is hampering investment and development in the city. The project has vast support. The majority of citizens and public representatives in the city and county support the fast-tracking of the Galway outer ring road.
Senator Keoghan spoke of a report on who is the master of truth. I take on board her comments. Sometimes there is a groupthink element to things that are published and maybe a lack of critical analysis of what is laid before us. Without any bad intentions, one media outlet might take a particular view and that can be replicated because it is the easier route to getting stuff out. Such is the way the media cycle has gone. That is not good for debate, discourse or making sure differing views are aired.
Senator Wall has asked for a debate on defence with the Tánaiste on the plan published yesterday by the Department to implement the recommendations for reform of the Defence Forces. I note with interest the plans to increase the number of women in our Defence Forces. I welcome that a plan will be put in place to reinvigorate our Reserve Defence Force, which at strength had probably more than 9,000 members but is down to fewer than 2,000 now. I welcome that there seems to be a renewed focus on addressing that. He also drew our attention to rail transport, particularly in Athy, and the fare strategy that was due to be published shortly but is delayed, which he welcomes because there is more work to be done, in his view.
In a similar vein, Senator Murphy spoke of the lack of the tea service that was always on the train on west or north-west services to Westport or Sligo. I listened recently to Jim Meade talking about this. They are looking for an external contractor to provide the service but have not been able to get that yet at an affordable price. He was honest in saying that what were quoted to Iarnród Éireann were extortionate prices. They reinstated the services on the Cork line; those were the first to go back. It is the intention of Irish Rail to get those services back up. It is a long journey from Westport to Dublin; you are talking three and a half hours. Along the way, you cannot even get a bottle of water, which is not an acceptable level of service in this day and age. I hope that is fast-tracked. He also welcomed the all-star heading to Roscommon. That is a good news story for the people of Roscommon. Congratulations.
Senator Lombard, interestingly, asked for a debate on local government, which we had in the Seanad Chamber last Thursday for the entire day. We had representatives from AILG, LAMA and their counterparts in Northern Ireland. Many Members of this House contributed to the debate and many individual councillors who had made submissions were also here. I urge the Senator to engage with that process because that committee, under its Chair, Senator Mark Daly, and its rapporteur, Senator Cassells, will put together all of that work and publish a report on what comes out of it. It has the potential to be transformative of how we develop local government policy. I agree with Senator Lombard that the abolition of town councils was wrong. I remind him a party colleague of his brought about that policy. That said, the establishment of municipal districts has had some benefits. In my county of Mayo, we had three town councils in Westport, Castlebar and Ballina. With the MD model, those towns are at a disadvantage because they do not have their own budget for the town but it is of benefit to smaller towns like Claremorris and Ballinrobe. There has been a more equal distribution of funds to those areas. Whatever model we choose, there needs to be greater scope to have councils for other towns, not just to reinstate what was there before. We can do better. There is a democratic deficit. We lost about 600 councillors from the system, or it even more than that?
