The Order of Business is No. 1, Employment Permits Bill 2022 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to adjourn at 3 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 139, motion 2, Private Members' business regarding reform of waste management, to be taken at 3.30 p.m., with the time allocated for the debate not to exceed two hours.
An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
Today, as the Acting Leader will be aware, Ireland has taken a very significant decision, along with Norway and Spain, to formally recognise the state of Palestine. That formal recognition will take effect from next week, from 28 May. This has been a long process. In fact, looking back on the records, the late Brian Lenihan Snr., as far back as 1980, spoke about a two-state solution and about recognising the rights of both the Israeli and Palestinian people. I commend the Government on the decision and the work of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and officials in his Department. This is welcome for the people of Palestine and should be a further step toward the two-state solution which we believe will underpin peace in the Middle East.
It is also important to note that this should not be interpreted as in any way a recognition of Hamas or its backers in Iran. The Government and Ireland continue to condemn Hamas for the atrocity of 7 October and to call for the release of the hostages held by that death cult. This is, however, important for the ordinary people of Palestine, who have suffered so much in recent months and over the years. It is important that we reflect on the reasons Ireland is to recognise the state of Palestine. I encourage those who have the opportunity to read the piece written by our ambassador to Israel, Sonya McGuinness, in Haaretz, the Israeli newspaper, on why this recognition is happening. She talks about the fact that the achievement of peace, security and dignity for all Israelis and Palestinians is core to the Irish decision.
While our focus is on conflict in the Middle East, I also note today that the conflict in Ukraine and Putin's horrific invasion continue. The media now report that Putin has ordered nuclear weapons trials within the area and that there are military exercises to simulate the launch of tactical nuclear weapons. It is important that we continue to show solidarity with the people and the Government of Ukraine against this aggressor. I ask that we consider statements on foreign policy generally and invite the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to the House to talk about these issues.
Finally, I request that the Minister for Education come in to give us an update on the school transport scheme, particularly around the selection of proposed pilots. This is a big issue in a number of communities. The new pilot scheme is to be introduced. In my case, in north Wexford, a major protest was organised over the weekend. I would be grateful if the Acting Leader would invite the Minister here to make a statement on those issues.
A couple of weeks ago, I met with Retailers Against Smuggling, a group that will have met many in this House already, to discuss some of the issues around illegal cigarette smuggling and retailers. When I say "retailers", I am talking about shop owners. Shop owners are really losing out. One of the reasons for that is the fact that Revenue has only three scanners around all our ports in Ireland, which are used to try to detect anything coming in. I would really like to have a debate in the coming weeks about what more support we can give our ports and points of entry in this country to try to cut down the level of illegal smuggling coming into the country. It is not only taking money away from the taxpayer and the Exchequer; it is also making it much harder for people to make money in our smaller shops, where the margin is quite tight already. For many people, this can be a large portion of their turnover each year. I say that based on data from the Irish Maritime Development Office, which indicates that Irish ports saw over 1.15 million roll-on-roll-off arrivals and over 1.1 million load-on-load-off container arrivals in 2023. That is clearly a huge amount, so three scanners to try to scan all that is clearly just not enough. After my meeting with Retailers Against Smuggling, it was really brought home to me that we need to do far more around our ports. It would save the taxpayer money when it comes to Exchequer revenue and, equally, would ensure we can maintain the margin of profitability for some of our smaller retailers and shops. I would really appreciate a debate about security around our ports at some stage.
I welcome to the Public Gallery and to the House an esteemed Member, Richard Bruton TD. You are very welcome. Maybe you are making a comeback to the Seanad as a future career. You have a guest with you as well. You are very welcome to Leinster House. Céad míle fáilte.
I, too, welcome Deputy Richard Bruton.
I will start with public consultation for the general scheme of the Seanad electoral (university members) (amendment) Bill. Maybe there is a slot for Richard there. There is a public consultation. I happen to sit on the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and this area falls into our remit. We will inevitably do pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill, which the Government approved last week. It agreed to have a four-week period of public consultation on just the scheme; there is no Bill yet. My ask today of all Senators is to lobby and engage with their respective political contacts. Four weeks is frankly not enough. Tomorrow will mark one week since this announcement, and we have only three more weeks. The close of the consultation is at 5 p.m. on 14 June. There is a European election campaign going on, but the consultation is bigger than the politicians, so I suggest that there should be an eight-week period of consultation. I conveyed that message to the officials in the Department when we met them yesterday for a briefing on the scheme. It is only fair, right and proper. We have been talking about Seanad reform for years, and now the Department suggests we would have a four-week public consultation. Frankly, it is not enough, but that is a matter for the Government, and that is my ask today.
I also want to talk about the Housing Commission and its report. It is a very interesting body of work. The Taoiseach has indicated that he may be in a position to publish it today. It is important because the commission has made many recommendations. It is a 200-page report. It consists of 80 recommendations. It refers to the interventions of the Government in the housing sector and to fundamentally systemic failures in the delivery of housing. It goes on to refer to advocating for a land price register to increase transparency, encouraging public participation and planning processes and delivering enabling infrastructure in housing construction.
It also talks about greater public engagement with the planning process. We have a massive planning Bill coming before the House and there may be potential for that. I do not want to be critical because I think the Government is making progress, slow as it is, but it is important that we have a debate on the commission’s work and recommendations.
Finally, on a positive note, I salute Dublin City Council and the Government for the opening yesterday by the council of 71 new social houses in Springvale Grove in Chapelizod. That is an achievement. It is difficult. There are a lot of obstacles to delivering new housing. I acknowledge that. These are amazing units, built using a light steel gauge manufacturing process, which is a new technology. We must always be to the fore of new technology and innovation to deliver much-needed new homes. It is important to acknowledge the importance of that. I thank the people involved in the delivery of those important social houses.
I welcome the statement from the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, this morning on the decision by the country’s leading mobile phone operators to support her plan for voluntary agreements to keep childhood smartphone-free. Vodafone, Three, Eir, Tesco Mobile, Virgin Media and An Post Mobile have all confirmed that they are supporting the keeping childhood smartphone-free guide for parents and parent associations of primary school aged children. These companies account for some 95% of the Irish mobile phone market. Whenever I meet parents locally, I hear their concerns about the impact on children of smartphones in school, social media and their being constantly online. Having worked on the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act, Senators know what the impact of having unlimited access to mobile phones is and how that can be detrimental to the development of a child’s brain. I have cited previously the work of Dr. Richard Hogan in this area in advocating for age verification. I hope the online code of conduct will confirm that later this year. I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Foley. At her recent social media summit, she asked the companies invited to show leadership in protecting children online. They gave her a commitment that they would reflect on this. Now, some months later, the six mobile phone operators have confirmed their support for these voluntary agreements. It was a very worthwhile announcement this morning.
I welcome Deputy Bruton to the House. I also welcome a group from Castlebar.
I raise the issue of providing an extra respite bed at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Castlebar. There is only one respite bed in the hospital and there is huge demand for respite. We all know the great work that carers carry out. When a respite appointment is cancelled it causes huge disappointment for the people who were going to get a break to find out they will not get one. I ask that we invite the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, to the House for a debate on the provision of respite beds throughout the country, particularly in Castlebar. The hospital has the beds in place but does not have sufficient funding and will require extra funding for an extra bed. That would be a great service to Castlebar, its hinterland and County Mayo as a whole.
I also raise the cloning of phones. Recently, I have received a number of calls from people who say they are getting phone calls but when they return the call, the person on the other end says they had not rung. I have received one or two of these myself. I wonder about the whole area of the cloning of phones. Who does it? There is no record of who rang in the first place but someone is using some carrier and someone else's number to call someone else. It could be a dangerous set-up – I do not know – and I ask that the Government look into this issue of the cloning of phones to see who is responsible and what are the consequences.
I welcome the guests of Senator Burke from Castlebar. I also welcome the sister of the Minister of State, Deputy Kieran O'Donnell, who is in the House too. I am glad our guests from Castlebar are here with the father of the House. He has been here a long time and is still serving.
I also welcome the people from Castlebar. It is my mother’s home town. She is a Quigley from Snugborough. It is great to have them here and it is good of the father of the House to bring them.
On a serious note, we had a debate in this House before the referendum. Serious questions were asked about the tax implications, the implications for social welfare law and other parts of the law. The answers that were given, I believe, misled this House. The Minister responsible must come to this House and explain how he answered as he did and spent €20 million of citizens’ hard-earned tax money to drive two referendums, one on family and the other on care, over the line. The citizens of this country never asked for them and promptly dismissed them when given the opportunity. The revelations in one of the newspapers today are extraordinary. In particular, my colleague Senator McDowell’s column in The Irish Times is shattering, from my perspective.
If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it is a duck. Dublin Airport Authority tried to buy the former Q Park some months ago. I referred the matter to the Competition Authority, which blocked the purchase stating it was anti-competitive. I learned yesterday that Dublin Airport Authority is attempting to enter into a short-term lease agreement for this parking at the airport. That would give Dublin Airport some 90% to 95% of all parking for Dublin Airport. It is utterly outrageous. I am shocked to hear the Competition Authority has expressed no interest whatever in blocking the leasing of this carpark. If buying and operating it is uncompetitive, surely to God leasing and operating it is equally so. Why has the National Asset Management Agency not gone back to the market? I understand there are people who are willing to pay in excess of €70 million for this site. NAMA’s job is to collect money for the hard-pressed taxpayers who pulled this country out of the terrible mess it was in in 2008. I ask that this matter be brought to the Leader’s office.
I have raised many times the challenges facing small businesses as a result of the increased cost of doing business, inflation and cost-of-living pressures. Unfortunately, this is very relevant in the food sector. Between January and April, there were more than 200 closures of small restaurants and cafés. It is not confined to that sector. Food is vital to the pub industry, accounting for 35%, on average, of pub turnover. In some cases, the figure is as high as 50%. I very much support the call made by pubs that the Government, in its upcoming budget, reduce the VAT rate from 13.5% to 9%, which, in fairness, the Government did previously during the pandemic.
On the cost of living and inflation, I was talking to a restaurateur recently who put this in context for me. He outlined that before the war in Ukraine started, a bucket of Hellmann's mayonnaise cost something like €22. That same bucket now costs €44. That puts the matter in perspective. Every restaurant uses that product in preparing food. These small businesses are vitally important to our small towns and villages. They are the heartbeat of our towns and villages. It is crucial that we keep them alive. The Government must be conscious at all times of the increases it implements and the effect these have on business. We saw that in the case of the increase in the minimum wage, which is very welcome. We saw it with auto enrolment and the additional costs involved in that as well as the introduction of additional sick leave entitlements. That all has an effect on business but particularly small business. The Government needs to be very conscious of that. I would be grateful if the Leader could arrange a debate with the Minister in the context of the upcoming budget in September or October so that we can support the call for the VAT rate in the food industry to be reduced from the current rate of 13.5% to 9%.
I raise an issue that requires immediate attention and action. I call on the Minister for children to come to this House and address the content of the recent report from the Ombudsman for Children. It paints a stark picture of the challenges facing the youth of Ireland. It is disheartening to learn many children experience uncertainty and instability, with complex complaints on the rise.
The statistics are alarming. The ombudsman received 1,790 complaints in 2023, with a notable increase in the complexity of cases. Education, health and care services are areas where children face significant challenges. The ombudsman's report reveals a disturbing trend of the State neglecting its commitments to children, particularly in the areas I mentioned. The State's inability to provide adequate school places, address bullying, ensure access to mental health services and support children with disabilities is a clear indication of its failure to prioritise the well-being of our youth. The lack of oversight in early learning settings and the struggle faced by parents of children with complex disabilities are further evidence of the Government's negligence in safeguarding the rights of children. Some 40% of complaints were about education, with primary concerns relating to school places, school transport and bullying. Some 23% of complaints related to health services and another 23% were Tusla-related.
The most shocking case reported must be that of a non-verbal, intellectually disabled boy with autism who was restrained by a wetsuit. This is appalling neglect. The complaints noted a lack of oversight regarding local authority housing for disabled children, which is why I call on the Minister and Department of children to deal with this issue immediately. Children, the most vulnerable members of our society, are bearing the brunt of crises such as housing shortages and rising living costs. It is unacceptable the State is failing to fulfil its obligations to these children, neglecting access to essential services and education and failing to support those with disabilities.
I rise to address a very grave issue, the resurgence of animal cruelty, specifically through the barbaric practice of cockfighting. Despite our progress in animal welfare and this cruel practice being outlawed almost 200 years ago, this disgusting spectacle has seen a troubling revival. Footage obtained by Noteworthy shows horrific battles being held in backyards as well as in purpose-built cockpits, where the birds fight until they collapse. Those involved in this sadistic sport range in ages and backgrounds, including animal breeders, members of the Defence Forces and a foreign government official based in Ireland.
This is not just a remnant of a cruel past; it is a blatant act of violence that inflicts unnecessary suffering on defenceless creatures for mere entertainment and profit. The animals are often drugged, equipped with sharp spurs and forced to fight to the death, resulting in horrific injuries and death. This resurgence signals not only a disregard for animal welfare laws but a disturbing tolerance for cruelty. The suffering and stress the animals endure is inconceivable.
We have to get real about animal welfare in Ireland. On a number of occasions here this year, I have highlighted the cruelty faced by animals. On Tuesday, 20 February, I had a Commencement matter on dog breeding; on 27 February, I raised the need for a wildlife crime unit; and on Wednesday, 6 March, I raised the horrific conditions faced by pigs in pig farming, revealed by undercover work by the National Animal Rights Association. In previous years, I raised cruelty in the dairy industry, Dublin Zoo and multiple places and organisations we deem to be not only perfectly acceptable but bastions of Irish life. At what point will we have a conversation in this House, a House where we have historically hashed out difficult and controversial topics, about the fact unfettered animal cruelty is going unpunished because our laws are not fit for purpose, we do not have a designated animal welfare crime unit and our animal rescues are astonishingly underfunded and overworked? We also have deplorable animal cruelty in our legal and State-sanctioned animal extortion industries, such as pig farming, the dairy industry, live exports of weaned calves and plenty of others the Acting Leader and I know all about. I ask the Acting Leader to facilitate a much-needed and overdue debate on the reality of animal welfare in Ireland.
I commend the work of the Minister for Health. Yesterday he held a briefing with the Dáil members of the health committee in advance of Report Stage of the assisted human reproduction Bill. I believe Report Stage is due for next week. That is a fantastic development. The time between now and the end of term will fly by quickly and I ask we make sure there is adequate time in our schedule to facilitate a full and, I expect, robust debate on that Bill in this House.
The urgency of this legislation cannot be underestimated. The Acting Leader and I have girls in the same class in school and this time last year we were getting them ready for Holy Communion. It never occurred to us we would not dress them that morning, go to the hairdressers and do the other bits and pieces we did. However, in the past week I have been contacted by mothers being denied exactly that because they have no legal standing in this country with regard to their much-wanted child. These are women who have suffered life-changing health issues and had to resort to surrogacy in order to have their babies, only to find in the breakdown of their marriage that their lack of legal standing is weaponised by the biological fathers. One distraught woman was on to me in the past week who is being denied that and being treated as a guest at her own child's Holy Communion. We have managed to reverse that situation but that is the reason we need a legislative pathway for women and second fathers to make applications to the courts. That is in that legislation and it cannot come soon enough.
I welcome the €6.8 million announced by the Government to tackle assessment of need places. I know from dealing with families in Limerick that the number of people on the waiting list locally and nationally is very large. The €6.8 million is due to cover 2,500 children nationally and it is most welcome that private assessments will be paid for by the State. I understand families will not have to pay out in advance and that the State will pay the private provider directly. This is really welcome because I work with a school to do with disabilities and it has a huge waiting list for assessments of need. It will be a big relief to families because the waiting time was putting them under a lot of stress. I commend the Government. This was led by the new Department that was set up by the Taoiseach, with all Departments working together to look at areas where there is a need and where there have been long waiting lists.
I support Senator Gallagher's call for a debate on reducing the VAT rate to 9%. I have called for it for a long time. It is important we have that debate and put a plan in place in the lead-up to the next budget.
I welcome the announcement yesterday that the DART will be extended to Drogheda, County Louth. I commend the previous decision by the shared island unit to fund additional cross-Border Enterprise train services from Belfast to Dundalk. It is now time, with all that investment in our rail system along the east coast, to look properly at the reopening of Dunleer train station. I also request a debate in the House on the all-Ireland rail review and an update from the Minister on progress, actions taken and the short- and medium-term goals we are all looking forward to seeing in this House.
I commend my friend and colleague, Senator Hoey, on her valuable remarks on cockfighting and animal welfare generally. I share her concerns there.
I think our education system is an area where more emphasis needs to be placed on respect for creation and the animal kingdom. We have made a lot of progress over the years in Ireland in this area. It would be terrible if we were to slip backwards.
I do not know how I feel but I think most people in Ireland will have welcomed the announcement of the recognition of the state of Palestine. We are not the first country to do so. Sweden, Poland and others have done this over the years. Whether it is the right time and whether it sends out the right message, I frankly do not know. I certainly agree with my friend and colleague, Senator Malcolm Byrne, that the two-state solution that needs to be emphasised and pressed for cannot be on the basis of any recognition of Hamas or other Iranian-backed groups. I think people looking on will wonder whether this is high-visibility virtue signalling by a small country that might have more impact working behind the scenes at coalition building. This might be more befitting our role. We must ask ourselves today whether this increases our influence with Israel. Perhaps even more importantly, does it increase our influence with the United States? As someone who very much supports the State of Israel and its right to a secure existence, we cannot ignore at the same time that we are further away from a two-state solution than ever. The public line from Israel of opposition to that is of no interest. There is the brutality of 700,000 or more illegal settlers. Israel needs to be brought to the table. Of course the Palestinian community needs to be challenged. Did they ever agree with a two-state solution? Will they live with a two-state solution unless it is imposed from outside? Effectively, that cannot happen without America so there is no future here. Israel's actions in Gaza have horrified the world, just as the evil actions of Hamas have done the same. Ireland must work as much as possible behind the scenes to be a coalition builder and a worker for peace. I am in two minds as to whether we have advanced our position with today's move.
I raise the wonderful news that SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh has been given the go-ahead to hold a very important ladies' international football match. Ireland will play France on 16 July. It is a wonderful opportunity for Cork to show off its wonderful stadium. It is great for women's sport in particular that we have such an international fixture coming to Cork. It needs to be acknowledged. Tallaght has traditionally been the home of ladies' football and now it is coming to Cork and we are looking forward to hosting that wonderful event. I will certainly be there.
As much as I give out about the GAA, I want to acknowledge the significant movement regarding the GAA match assist, which was launched last week. This gives patrons of the GAA who want to attend matches the opportunity to make a phone call and get their tickets rather than going through the online process. Age Action has been calling for this for some time. It is a really good compromise and I want to acknowledge that it is very appropriate for the people involved.
The other issue I want to raise relates to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, CCPC, and its involvement in GAAGO and how this can be looked at. It is really important that we have clarity from the Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy Thomas Byrne, on this issue. We need to find out exactly where we are going with the CCPC, whether it gave clearance for the GAAGO model and if not, why it has not actually given clearance for it. This platform is quite controversial, to say the very least. We need to make sure proper clearance is given to whatever platform that is providing these games online. We need to make sure we have a process we can stand over. The Minister of State needs to come to the Chamber. I read his comments in the paper at the weekend. He made it clear that he was shocked and outraged by it. He needs to come here and clarify where he is regarding this platform to make sure that the competition and consumer protection side of it is okay. If it is not, I want to find out what the Minister of State is going to do about it. There is considerable concern in communities about this issue. It is appropriate now that the Minister of State comes to this Chamber to give his side of the story regarding the issue.
I remind members of all hues in the House that the FAI, IRFU and the GAA are not Government Departments. The Leader has no direct responsibility for where matches are held, who watches them or how tickets are purchased. I am allowing a certain amount of latitude but I remind Members that the GAA is not a Government Department and the Order of Business is not about bringing the president of the GAA or whoever else into the Chamber. I call an Seanadóir Martin Conway.
Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. I think it is-----
By the way, I will also mention the Arts Council, the Opera House in Cork and the Gaiety Theatre, in case Senator Lombard thinks I am picking on the GAA. I am not. I am talking about everything. The Order of Business is for raising matters of Government responsibility in respect of which the Leader can give a reply. My apologies, Senator Conway, I will set the clock again.
On a point of clarity, each one of those organisations gets substantial Government funding.
Well said, Senator.
Not half enough.
I am opposed to-----
They get substantial Government funding and it is only right and appropriate
They should get ten times more.
Senator Conway, without interruption.
Today's announcement by the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister, Deputy Ryan, regarding Palestine is very welcome. There is never a right time to do these things. I concur with the concerns voiced by Senator Malcolm Byrne. It has to be done appropriately and properly. We will all reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire, the opening of humanitarian aid and a stop to what is going on. It is a truly appalling situation.
I would like to call for a debate on aviation at some stage. I do not necessarily agree with the cap that is being spoken about for Dublin Airport but I certainly believe that we need to see more passengers going through Shannon Airport. We need to see the resource that is our regional airports being used much more smartly than is the case at the moment. I want to commend the senior management team at Shannon Airport because record numbers of passengers are coming through the airport but there is capacity for much more. Shannon has the capacity to alleviate some of the congestion issues in Dublin Airport, bearing in mind that one can now travel from Limerick to Dublin in about two hours. We are enhancing and improving the rail links between Ennis and Dublin. There are proposals to have a hub in Shannon so there would be a connection from Ennis to Shannon to Limerick to Dublin. We need to be smart. We cannot be telling airlines that once Dublin hits a certain level, we do not want any more planes coming into Ireland. Of course we want more planes coming in because it means more tourists. We have to remember that there are other airports outside of Dublin. A debate here on a regionally balanced aviation policy would exercise a lot of people and would be very fruitful.
I remind my good friend Senator Conway that in the same way that the Government allocates money to the Department of Defence, the Department of Justice, An Garda Síochána or the Army, and we do not ask the Garda Commissioner to come here to explain how he spends the money-----
Maybe we should start.
No, no. Thank you. Anois, glaoim ar an Treoraí chun freagra a thabairt ar an Ord Gnó.
Go raibh míle maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. I thank the 15 Senators who contributed to the Order of Business. Senator Malcolm Byrne, on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, raised the recognition today of the state of Palestine which was done in tandem with Norway and Spain. I think most people in Ireland welcome this. Other Senators raised the issue also. The position is that we recognise that a two-state solution is the only way forward for the region. At the moment Hamas and the Palestinian Authority are not committed to that and neither is the Israeli Government. Today, the force of the recognition is international pressure on both of these countries to come together and work towards a two-state solution because we will not accept anything less. The international community is behind a two-state solution. It is the only way that stability and safety can be guaranteed. We are all horrified by what is happening at the moment: the food shortages, the blockages, the thousands of people killed in Gaza, the hostages still held there and the appalling acts of sexual violence against women perpetrated by Hamas. It is all horrific and we cannot idly stand by and let any of this go on. It was proper and fitting of Ireland to act in tandem with two other countries and join many others that have recognised the state of Palestine.
Let us hope that we can use this position to work constructively towards a lasting peaceful solution in the region. I commend in particular an Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, on the work he has done on this. When he took up the role of Minister for Foreign Affairs, even before 7 October, he took an interest in this region because he knew it was volatile and fragile. He visited the region before this kicked off. He has a deep commitment to the area. I am very glad he is at the helm there. We need an immediate ceasefire. We need an unconditional return of the hostages. We need to work towards a two-state solution. Senator Byrne also raised the issue of the school transport scheme, which Senator O'Loughlin also raised yesterday. We should have a debate because it is happening in many constituencies around the country. The school transport system needs to be robust if we are trying to encourage fewer parents to drive to school and encourage a sustainable community. We need to make sure there is a proper school transport scheme that is accessible to everybody. I definitely support a debate on that. We are all getting queries about it now and will be throughout the summer so it is very fitting.
Senator McGahon raised a very interesting issue about Retailers Against Smuggling, which represents shop owners. The fact that our ports are under-resourced is something we really should look at for a number of reasons. He mentioned how taxpayer revenue impacts the revenue for the shops. We do not know what is contained in the cigarettes that are being smuggled in. There are all sorts of bad things in cigarettes, but particularly in smuggled cigarettes. We have absolutely no control over what is in them. People's health is at risk. I support his call in that regard.
Senator Boyhan raised the issue of the public consultation on Seanad reform. It is a very valid point. We should write a letter from this House to the relevant Minister to ask that the closing date be extended because we are all caught up with elections at the moment. I do not think people who are politically active and politically interested in this issue will be able to give it sufficient time. I would, therefore, support that call. I also welcome the 71 social houses in Chapelizod that opened yesterday. Great progress is being made on social houses. It is not enough, but it is definitely a very good start.
Senator Cassells raised the issue of the impact of smartphones on children. It is great that this voluntary agreement has been entered into. As a parent of two small children, it is something I do worry about for the future. Our understanding of the impact of smart devices on children and their evolving brains is only evolving itself. Therefore, it is right and proper that we have a serious discussion on policy and direction for Government because that empowers parents and school communities to impose these bans. It is only for the best for our children. I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Foley, on that breakthrough today.
Senator Burke raised the issue of respite beds. He called for a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, in the House on the provision of respite beds nationally. That is a very good suggestion. People are living longer and healthier lives. In tandem with that, however, we have to make sure that we have the appropriate resources for people to stay at home for as long as they can. Part of that is providing respite care as well. I would support that.
Senator Craughwell raised the issue of the DAA leasing the Q-Park car park at Dublin Airport. He is correct to say that a lease agreement is a valid form of ownership. Therefore, if a freehold was not allowable, I cannot see why the leasehold would be allowable. It would be proper for the competition authority to look at this further.
Senator Gallagher raised the issue of the VAT rate in the hospitality industry. That was also raised by Senator Maria Byrne who has experience of the hospitality sector. We should have a debate with the Minister for Finance on the upcoming budget. As we know, now is the crucial time when all the negotiations are being done. Before the summer break, we should table a debate regarding the upcoming budget. That is something we will look into.
Senator Keogan raised the issue of the Ombudsman for Children report. I have to say, I was really shocked reading parts of it. The complex needs of children are not being catered for sufficiently in this country. She raised particularly local authority housing for children with disabilities. I am sure all Members have queries from constituents who have children with disabilities. They are in completely inadequate housing. This is putting extra stress and strain on the family. That on top of already having a child with additional needs, which can be very difficult and detrimental to the well-being of the whole family. A debate on this report would be right and proper.
Senator Hoey raised the issue of animal cruelty and particularly cockfighting. I was not aware that there was a revival. I do not think I even want to seek out any information on it because it is just so vile. I commend her on raising the issue. It is something we do actually need to know about and we should get information if this is actually happening. I commend her the Senator on her long history of raising issues regarding animal cruelty. An animal welfare debate certainly should be held at some stage. The Senator has raised it under Commencement matters. That is as far as she can push it personally. Maybe a Private Members' Bill or a debate on animal cruelty would be fitting. Perhaps that is something we could look into and maybe do a cross-party Private Members' Bill. I think the Senator would get a lot of support in the House.
Senator Seery Kearney raised the issue of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022. We are at the same point on this. It is long overdue. We need to move it on now. There is definitely urgency on it. There are myriad reasons it is urgent, but the specific issues the Senator pointed out are very cruel and an additional blow to women. We both sat on that committee. People do not go into surrogacy lightly. It is the last stage in a very painful health journey. To actually have women in such a vulnerable position, even in relationships that might not be working out or that could be abusive, and this status being used as an extra weapon against women is a particular blow to the already very difficult suffering they have gone through. The Minister has moved this on as quickly as possible. However, I really think we should be prioritising this for the next couple of weeks. I hope it will not be unduly delayed in this House. It has gone through the special Oireachtas committee. It has been gone through very thoroughly at the Joint Committee on Health. I would hope that by the time it reaches here, it will not be unduly delayed. I will certainly be speaking to the Leader to make sure we schedule and finish it before the summer break. If we are not finished it, let us sit for an extra week. I think we are all happy to do that because it is such a crucial piece of legislation for surrogacy, but for the other items contained in the Bill as well. It is way overdue. There are a lot of vulnerable situations around the country. We, as responsible legislators, cannot allow it to continue any further. Therefore, anything I can do, I certainly will do. I will be speaking to the Leader on her return to deal with this as a matter of priority.
Senator Maria Byrne raised the €6.8 million fund for the assessment of needs, which was also raised yesterday by Senator Carrigy. It is really welcome. We all know the difficulties in the system, the frustrations people have with the system and the lack of resources families have to get the assessment of needs their children desperately need. That is really welcome.
Senator McGreehan raised the issue of the DART extension to Drogheda. That is really welcome.
As somebody living in north County Dublin who will benefit from the extension, and has called for it for a longer number of years, it is a good step forward but we need to make sure there are no more delays in the roll-out. The opening of Dunleer railway station is certainly something that should be looked at. I know there are issues around the reopening of the Navan railway station. Senator Cassells has raised the issue on a number of occasions. Perhaps we can seek a debate on national railway policy and the opening and prioritisation of rail transport right around the country. The population is increasing so if we are to develop this country properly, and sustainably, then we need to create rail lines all across this country. That would be a very good debate to have.
Senator Mullen raised the issue of the recognition of Palestine and I hear his reservations about that. It is a bold move in the middle of a conflict. The Taoiseach outlined very well in his statement, and I listened very carefully to his press conference this morning, that recognition is not being done to punish Israel but push forward the two-state solution because neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority has pushed it forward, nor has Israel nor the current Israeli Government and the illegal settlements that they are standing by pushes the possibility for a two-state solution out even further. Our recognition of the state of Palestine does not in any way condone or reward the attack on Israel, which I absolutely condemn and I commend all the work towards peace done by Ireland. We need to send a clear signal to both parties involved that the situation is intolerable, on both sides, and we must work towards a peaceful solution. We cannot deal with any more death and destruction in this region and the stability of the whole region and, indeed, the rest of the world depends on this happening. So I really think recognition is a positive step forward. We need to consider recognition from a position of supporting peace in the region, not supporting one side over the other. We all condemn Hamas and the attacks, the awful situation of the hostages and the brutal rapes of women and men on that day. It was just horrific but what is going on at the moment in Gaza is horrific. Both sides have strayed a long way from the two-state solution envisaged by Oslo and we need to ensure we get that for everybody's sake. I hope that the Senator's reservations will be eased somewhat over the coming weeks. Recognition is a very brave move, on behalf of this country, but we have done it in tandem with other countries.
Senator Tim Lombard raised a couple of issues concerning the GAA. I commend him on his constant advocacy for GAA supporters. In particular, in recent weeks, he wants the Minister of State to come into the Chamber to discuss the situation with GAAGO and that is something I support. As pointed out by Senator Conway, we give a significant amount of funding to the GAA and it is a significant institution in this country. The Minister of State will be in discussions with the GAA on a variety of issues so it is right and proper that he comes in and hears our concerns about this matter.
Finally, Senator Martin Conway raised the issue of Shannon Airport and the need to route more aviation traffic through Shannon Airport, and take it away from Dublin Airport. As somebody based very close to Dublin Airport and in north County Dublin, I support the suggestion because Dublin Airport has issues in respect of increased capacity being sought. We are a small island so we should be able to distribute air traffic around the country.
Is the Order of Business, as proposed, agreed? Agreed.
Order of Business agreed to.
Cuireadh an Seanad ar fionraí ar 12.25 p.m. agus cuireadh tús leis arís ar 12.47 p.m.
Sitting suspended at 12.25 p.m. and resumed at 12.47 p.m.