Seán Kyne
Galway West · Fine Gael · Ireland
“Yes, there will be public engagement later today and again tomorrow. Residents in the Shantalla area hope to be able to pop in there tomorrow as well, and councillors will be engaging. I will certainly pass on the Minister's strong view on pushing on with a decision on the transfer of land in relation to the helipad project.”
“I thank the Minister for that response. Certainly, the appointment of the design team is hugely welcome and a positive step. She will be aware of the Mater Hospital during the Covid pandemic and the 98-bed block that was built in two years. These things can be done where there is urgency.”
“In University Hospital Galway over recent years we have seen investment in a 75-bed en suite ward, a temporary emergency department and the new radiation oncology building, but so much more is needed.”
“Both blocks A and B are primarily bed-based accommodation, supported by well-established HSE guidance and standard approval layouts. Considering the loss of a number of years in Galway, would the Minister see merit in engaging with the Department of public expenditure and reform on fast-tracking these design stages?”
“De réir MARA, má tá daoine ag baint agus ag bailiú feamainne le haghaidh úsáid tráchtála, nó méid mór le haghaidh úsáid pearsanta, ní mór dóibh iarratas a dhéanamh ar cheadúnas úsáide ó MARA. Tá na rudaí seo fíorthábhachtach. Níl sé soiléir céard atá ag teastáil ó bhainteoirí feamainne.”
“I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. I welcome the fact that he expects the MPPS to be brought to the Government in the coming weeks. May I assume, therefore, that MARA is not granting licences pending the MPPS? Is that in abeyance? Is there a formal process?”
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Every one of 1,542 lines we hold for Seán Kyne, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 27 of 31.
“Before I invite the next speaker, I welcome guests of Deputy Catherine Ardagh, the teachers and pupils of Coláiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon. You are welcome to the Seanad and I hope you enjoy your day. The next speaker is Senator Eileen Flynn.”
“I am not sure if figures are available to show whether demand is matching supply. Are we achieving that or are children being left without? That is important. It is also important for us to look at the range of other factors called for in the motion. I welcome, in particular, the renewed focus of the Government on the area of disability. When we have the resources, it is important that we look at those who are the most vulnerable, in need and deserving. Special children and their families, who have a lot of challenges, deserve the very best from society and Government, and that will require investment. I welcome the proposals that have been put forward by the Government in the amendment to the motion.”
“As a result of the severity of their additional needs, some children cherish and need routine. They need to know where they are going and what is ahead of them. They need to know how to travel there, what time to leave the house, what time to come home, who else is on the bus and whatever else. Those are all important details for children with additional needs. We and they need that certainty. We need to continue to invest in buildings, staff, facilities and therapy services, all of which are important. The summer programme has been successful and it is important we continue to expand it. That is mentioned in the proposal. It has been of great benefit to children and their parents. I welcome the commitment to continue the programme. The support for additional summer school places is welcome.”
“Finding school places is stressful, particularly under our current system. Some places may have different models but the application process to find a school can be quite difficult. This can be even more stressful when a child has additional needs. There are often delays with the application process and in the context of decisions being made, which can be stressful, particularly for the pupils. It is important that we liaise and engage with parents to achieve the best outcomes for their children and reduce the burden on parents so that they know what lies ahead in their children's educational journeys. Certainty is important. It is important that parents know what is ahead and where their children will be going so they can ensure that places are available.”
“I want to mention the Ábalta Special School in Galway that has gone through huge challenges in trying to find a suitable alternative site. We have parents travelling all the way from Ennis in County Clare to Galway city for the Ábalta Special School, which is a significant challenge. Initially, there were plans to move to Clarinbridge and the GRETB has now taken over patronage of that school. In conjunction with the Educate Together school in Oranmore, it has plans to locate on that campus, which is welcome. Ábalta provides an important service to parents in Galway and elsewhere and the ETB is going to increase the number of pupils within that school, which is welcome. As part of its amendment, the Government is calling to ensure every child who needs a space in special education will have one.”
“In the specific area of special education, we are now spending almost €3 billion - a 48% increase in funding since 2020 - and providing another 400 special classes and 300 additional special school places this year. Sixteen new special schools are being established, all to ensure every child who needs a special place has one. We are also providing funding for the training and upskilling of teachers and SNAs who support children with special needs. The Minister for Education, Deputy McEntee, has requested the inclusion of a placement in a special needs setting for all teachers doing their teaching education. This is a positive proposal and I commend the Minister of State and Government for their role in that as well.”
“We have a good track record with our students and graduates who get a good start and go through university, as well as a tolerant society based on a high-quality, accessible education system that has been the envy of many countries and has consistently produced sought-after graduates. New school buildings have been a priority in the past and the result is there for all to see across the country. We have built a large number of schools and school extensions and, as a result of this investment, the number of prefabs has declined dramatically. There is, of course, a need to do more as our population and the needs of pupils continue to grow and we have plans in place to do that.”
“The Minister of State is welcome to the House and I join others in wishing him well in his term ahead. It is an important area and one he has an interest in and passion for. I wish him well in all our interests but most importantly the interests of the children with special needs and their parents. I acknowledge the Sinn Féin motion. It is important to have a debate on this topic. Fine Gael and the Government more widely are acutely aware of the importance of education to the people of this country. For generations, successive Governments have looked on education as a fundamental right for everybody, not just a few, and as a means of increasing knowledge and the prosperity of the country.”
“It is good news, and I will certainly ask that the Minister come in at a later date to talk about capital infrastructure and capital plans across the country because it is a very important area.”
“It is good news that lives are being saved, that the groundswell of support for and campaigning for a second cath lab bore fruit and that the results are being seen now in lives being saved. It is very important that we have as close as possible access to healthcare. There is always that conflict between centres of excellence and having sufficient consultants in an area who can provide the maximum care, that they have the best use of their skills and that they are not waiting around for patients. There is always that balance in all this and we have seen that in debates on cancer services and some of the smaller EDs that, unfortunately, were closed. We see the pressures in Limerick as well.”
“They did not paint a great picture of the other House, and it is very important that we establish the committees to do all the very important work of the pre-legislative scrutiny of legislation and the questioning of Ministers, departmental officials, State agencies and interested advocacy groups in all areas. That is very important work that we have not had since last November or late October. We need to get the committees back up and running as soon as possible and for that we need the speaking rights issues and the groupings to be sorted to allow for the establishment of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission and the committees. I hope that can be put in train this week. Finally, Senator Joe Conway spoke of the delivery and the ongoing work of the second cath lab in Waterford.”
“Surrogacy is about creating life and giving life and happiness to families up and down this country, many of whom have gone through IVF and not just the cost but the emotional trauma those life-giving issues can cause. I urge the Senator, if she has the basis to her claims about loopholes, to put those directly to the Minister and they can be dealt with. Senator Craughwell talked about the goings-on in the Dáil. There was a vote yesterday, and hopefully that can put matters to rest. We will know in about five minutes how things will go for the next while but, seriously, the goings-on yesterday were not good.”
“He spoke about the difficulties that communities have in, as is said, shaking the bucket to buy land and then trying to co-fund or match-fund Department funds as well. There is a bigger issue here in this regard. I will certainly invite the Minister in at the earliest opportunity to talk about all matters sport. Senator Keogan talked about the surrogacy legislation. She talked about loopholes. I am not sure exactly what loopholes she has indicated. Perhaps she could put those down to the Minister directly or in a Commencement debate. The surrogacy legislation went through these Houses and was supported by the vast majority. I do not agree that surrogacy is exploititative.”
“We know the importance of sports capital grants and their benefit to communities up and down the community. His party colleague Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn yesterday talked about the GAA and the tremendous work it does regarding the one-team initiatives, and there are so many other clubs that benefit. It is a very valuable scheme. For the last number of years, all clubs that were valid were supported, but there are also sometimes shortfalls as to what they request, and that puts huge pressures then on some of the smaller communities in trying to raise funds to complete very important projects. I will certainly invite the Minister for sport, Deputy O'Donovan, to come in to see what his vision for this is. I know he was in Galway on Saturday with the GAA president, Jarlath Burns, at the turning of the sod of facilities in Oranmore-Maree.”
“I urge people to appeal those, to provide as much information as possible, to provide where possible through their local ESB offices accurate data regarding the number of days they are out and to provide all the additional information if they have had to go out for meals, if they have had to spend money replacing the contents of a freezer and so on. I take the point about the insurance excess and covering the cost of the freezer. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Calleary, to come in and perhaps answer this and provide the up-to-date data on the number of applications received, the numbers granted and the numbers that are under appeal or refused. I will ask him to come in on that. Senator Ahearn sought that the Minister for sport come before the House to address matters pertaining to sports capital grants.”
“What we want is not to have carers having to drive long distances but to be spending that time caring for and looking after people. A lot of additional work needs to be done there. Senator Boyhan talked about the postcode lottery as well. Senator Tully raised the humanitarian assistance scheme. I welcome the fact that we tried to get out a scheme as fast as possible and that it was not means-tested because that can sometimes complicate and delay issues. However, we have seen a standard refusal letter being sent to too many people.”
“I think most of us would want to spend our last days, our later stages of life, at home and we want that to be the case for people. As I have said before, however, not all families are the same. Not all families are the same size. Some older people have a lot of family and some may not. Some may have family abroad or in other parts of the country and they just cannot be there 24-7 or for the most part. Home care is therefore so important. The Minister of State made the point, and it needs to be brought up, about having a more geographical focus on the provision of care. There are carers having to drive long distances to care for somebody and then drive back, whereas if there were somebody more locally based, I think it would alleviate those issues.”
“I wish her continued success in very important work in terms of research into cancer and the supports for cancer sufferers and their families. I refer to the works of, for example, the facility in Galway, and I am sure there are other facilities across the country. Community support or cancer support facilities were funded on a permanent basis, or at least for the coming years, in the recent budget and they do tremendous work in supporting families and those who suffer from cancer. Senator Boyhan also talked about Home and Community Care Ireland and waiting lists for home care. Fine Gael had Private Members' Business a number of weeks ago that was supported across all parties and none within this House. The Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, was here to talk about these issues of home care.”
“I am not sure if that is the case but it is promising that research continues and I hope researchers will find the cause of and cure for Alzheimer's disease. The Senator asked me to invite the Taoiseach to the House, which I will initiate. Obviously, the shared island scheme has been hugely beneficial, both financially and in bringing both parts of this island together. The importance of an all-Ireland economy is evident, and it is important we invite the Taoiseach in to let us know his plans and the Government's plans regarding the all-Ireland economy and our shared island. I will certainly initiate that. Senator Boyhan talked of the Irish Cancer Society and mentioned that former Senator Averil Power, its CEO, is here in the Houses.”
“I thank all Senators for their contributions. The first speaker was Senator O'Loughlin. She initially talked about dementia supports and welcomed to the House the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, which is holding two workshops here later today. I acknowledge and commend the Senator's work on the all-party group on dementia over the years. Dementia is a very serious illness. It is a sad illness in that people's memories of loved ones and families are greatly impacted. The all-party group does great work. Obviously, the research into finding what causes Alzheimer's disease and finding a cure for dementia is something we would all support. The latest research, and you cannot believe everything online, suggests that dementia is in some way linked to gum disease.”
“The Order of Business is No. 1, Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2023 - Second Stage, to be taken at 1 p.m. and to conclude at 3 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes each, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes each, time may be shared and the Minister to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; and Private Members' business No. 31, motion 1, motion re provision of special education, to be taken at 3.30 p.m., with the time allocated to this debate not to exceed two hours.”
“There is a series of unofficial bus stops all over the country. These are not bus stops that went through the planning system although they might have been recognised as bus stops along national and regional routes for 30, 40 or 50 years. In this regard, particularly when it comes to picking up schoolchildren, much concern is expressed regarding safety. This relates to early starts, dark mornings and parents parking outside schools so their children will not get wet. We need to continue to roll out programmes for adequate and safe bus shelters and places at which parents can drop off their children in the knowledge they will be safe and dry and from which they can be taken on to school by bus. Initiatives like these can improve the safety of children, who are our most vulnerable citizens.”
“In Galway, the scheme will be open again in the middle of the summer. There are sufficient numbers for the scheme and it has been opened every two years. Really, there needs to be an increase in the funding for the scheme because it is about improving safety. It is about taking out bad bends and improving visibility at junctions on national, regional and local roads. It is a very beneficial scheme and one I believe would absolutely improve safety if its funding were increased. It is often said that if land is available from a landowner, be it at a junction or to allow for footpath installation, it goes a long way. Various schemes, whether they concern safe routes to school, community involvement, SOLAS or rural social initiatives, can assist so much in making roads safer for residents.”
“The model of road construction has probably changed because, once upon a time, it was a case of building wide national roads, carriageways and hard shoulders, as straight as possible. That has changed somewhat now because there seem to be narrower carriageways and hard shoulders that act as a deterrent. We often hear the phrase "a fast stretch of road". What does that mean? It means the stretch of road encourages speeding because it is wide, straight or whatever. The view that motorists have become more impatient since Covid may be anecdotal. I am not sure there is any evidence for it, but perhaps there is. Perhaps the statistics show it. With regard to funding streams, the community involvement scheme entails one of the streams of funding I believe is most beneficial to local authorities.”
“That is God’s honest truth. It is inherent in us, particularly younger people. I remember that when I first started driving, I could not see a car in front of me without trying to overtake it. God knows, my car at the time was not great. It was a matter of impulse, not that I had any place to go in a hurry. Overtaking was something one did. It is just human nature. The role of the Garda is to enforce. It is very easy to blame it. We do so when we refer to the speed limit and say it is not up to the county council to enforce it; it is up to the Garda to do so. The council’s role is to adjudicate on speed limits and to put in place measures to make roads safer or more difficult to speed on.”
“The Minister is very welcome to the Chamber to talk about the important issue of road safety. I agree with some of the speakers who said that when you knock on doors when canvassing or outside election periods and ask people how they are getting on and about issues affecting them, the issue of speeding is brought up so often. This is in both rural and city areas. Given the speed that cars go, we have to ask how many people obey the speed limits. I am referring to the period even before the recent reduction of speed limits on many roads. I am not going to present myself as somebody with a halo over my head. I have had penalty points, as have many others. They are important because, without such deterrents, speed cameras and the threat of a greater power checking the impulse to speed, there would be even more speeding.”
“Senator McCarthy spoke about the closure of Thunders Bakery after five decades. This is an example of the pressures SMEs are under. I do not know the reasons for that closure, but I will request a debate at the earliest opportunity on small businesses, the importance of SMEs and what Government can do to support SMEs across the country.”
“I hope he will continue to communicate about the different, varied and interesting topics of discussion for which he is renowned. Senator Sarah O'Reilly spoke about the ongoing situation in Gaza. Again, subject to confirmation, it is hoped the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs will be before the House next week to discuss matters such as that. I am sure the occupied territories Bill will be on members' lists in terms of the questions they will want to put to him. I acknowledge the ongoing atrocities in Gaza. Senator Flynn spoke about the impact on adults of being diagnosed with various conditions such as autism, dyslexia and ADHD, and the costs of those diagnoses. This is an interesting issue. The Senator might want to put down a Commencement matter in order to get a direct response from the relevant Minister.”
“We all know the urgency relating to house building, commencing and completing housing projects and making houses of all types available across our cities and counties. Senator Harmon mentioned young carers. I acknowledge the motion from the Labour Party that was supported by all parties in the Lower House. The Government commitment to removing the means tests for carers is extremely important. The Senator is right to suggest the importance of young carers, the role they play and the pressures they face in addition to those relating to growing up and education. They face a significant burden, which I acknowledge. Senator Keogan spoke about immigration, free speech and media star Garron Noone. I welcome that he has come back to social media.”
“I suggest that he table a Commencement matter in order to see if the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine can come to the House. Coillte Nature would be more associated with the biodiversity side, which is part of the Senator's former role in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage but, obviously, Coillte falls under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, so he may not get the joined-up thinking he might want. I suggest that he table a Commencement matter. Senator Maria Byrne welcomed the progress on the incremental purchase scheme in Limerick. I congratulate Limerick City and County Council for progressing those schemes, which are very important.”
“We hope this will allow the committees to be established. The Senator is right. There is a lot of work to be done. The committees play an important role in the context of pre-legislative scrutiny. They have to give permission if they are not going ahead with pre-legislative scrutiny, so we need those things to happen to allow Bills to progress from the Attorney General through to drafting and on to the Houses. The committees have an important role in that regard. They also carry out more in-depth scrutiny of various Ministers, Departments and agencies that come within their remits. Senator Noonan spoke about the disbandment of Coillte Nature. I understand that it is being absorbed into the mainstream work of Coillte. I accept that the Senator is not happy with that.”
“There is a commitment that actively farmed land is not taxed but neither should it be zoned if it is not going to be made readily available. Senator Rabbitte called for a debate on cybersecurity. I will request that from the Minister of State, Deputy Niamh Smyth, who is responsible for cybersecurity and AI. Senator Andrews spoke about Pearse House flats. I am not sure whether he tabled a Commencement matter in respect of that issue. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage will be before us next week to discuss housing, The Senator will have the opportunity to raise that matter with him directly at that time. Alternatively, the Senator can table a Commencement matter. Senator Cosgrove referred to speaking rights in the Lower House. I understand the vote on this has been passed.”
“That is certainly something I would be concerned about. Senator Boyhan talked about the residential zoned land tax. There is a balance here because, under the national planning framework and county development plans, every town has an amount of zoned land, and that is the only land that is available for building. If that land is zoned, is being farmed and is not being utilised, it cannot be built on. The purpose of the zoned land tax is to try to encourage land that is zoned to be built on. If it was being actively farmed, there was a policy that allowed that land to be dezoned, which, as a result, allowed other land in the vicinity in the town to be zoned for building. The deadline is this week, and that has been well flagged. It is a very important issue.”
“Senator Ryan discussed the Heathrow disruption and the oversized impact of Dublin in terms of aviation in this country. We have wonderful airports in the west, from Ireland West Airport in Knock to our airports in Shannon, Cork and Kerry. Air access is important for an island nation. I will request a debate on aviation policy. Senator Brady discussed the ongoing damage on forestry, and it is a very visual impact in terms of damage to forestry. If the roots are intact, it can be protected for a period of months or perhaps even years, but obviously there is a serious issue. I will request a debate on this on this matter with the Minister of State, Deputy Healy-Rae. I am surprised to hear of replanting or new planting - I am not sure which - being done right up to the road. I thought we were moving away from those sorts of policies.”
“It is generating interest and perhaps people are using that opportunity to write opinion pieces. Senator Higgins and others discussed the ongoing atrocities in Gaza. We hope the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence will be before the House next week. It is not finalised but that is plan. The Government is doing a lot and has spoken out much more than many other European countries. We know about the ongoing atrocities. We have continued to fund UNRWA. There is food at the border of Jordan waiting to cross that has not been allowed in. We are very conscious of the ongoing issues and the Tánaiste will be better able to express what the Government is doing and the ongoing role of Government, the EU and the UN in respect of those atrocities.”
“We will continue to apply pressure in forthcoming budgets for increased roads funding. Senator Stephenson talked about the triple lock and called for a people's vote on this. This was put to the Lower House. The original decision was made in 2001 to enact the triple lock. It was not made at that stage with a referendum. There will be a fuller debate on that very important issue at a later date. Senator Clonan also raised that issue and has shared his views on it on numerous occasions. He has called for more investment in the Defence Forces, which is very important and is part of the commitment in Government. The Senator talked about opinion pieces. It is obviously a topical issue because it has been discussed at various stages in this House and during Leaders' Questions in the other House.”
“I have spoken to the Minister and have requested he come to the House as soon as possible to talk about communications infrastructure, and he has agreed. We will bring him into the House as soon as we can. The Senator also talked about the accommodation recognition scheme, which is to be debated on Thursday, and he can make those points directly to the Minister then. I see in reports that there is concern about the possible impact on the rental market. We will debate that on Thursday and the motion to continue that scheme will be put to the House. Senator Tully raised the issues of Cavan’s roads. There has been an increase of some 8% in total funding in the past year, up to €715 million. There is never enough, obviously. We could all advocate for additional funding for roads in Cavan, Galway and elsewhere.”
“She welcomed that all three are committed to an amalgamation for the good of the game. She acknowledged the one-club model and the disparity in facilities for ladies and girls who play camogie and Gaelic football across our country. I acknowledge the ongoing work of clubs to try to improve facilities and the importance of sports capital grants, among other things, in that. I will request a debate with the Minister for sport. Senator Mullen referred to an individual in Corcullen, County Galway, without broadband. I understand the latest figures indicate there are still 850 residents without broadband since the storm. It is a very slow response and there are ongoing repairs. Even up to last week, there were trees being removed from some lines in my own area. It is an ongoing issue.”
“I thank all Senators for their contributions this afternoon, starting with Senator O' Loughlin, who brought up the issue of the disappeared and Joe Lynskey. We think of his family and the false dawn. Unfortunately, the remains that were discovered were not those of Joe and they also were not related to the other interred members within that family grave. The remains are, therefore, unknown. I commend the work of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains and the ongoing, very important work that they have. The Senator also called for a debate on adult immunisation and I will request that from Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn referred to the GAA awards and the three separate associations.”
“The Order of Business is No. 1, Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2024 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. and to adjourn at 6 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 2, statements on road safety, to be taken at 6 p.m. and to conclude at 8 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate.”
“If a parcel of land with both peat and carbon has more than 50% peatland, what impact does that have on carbon soils? Can we split out, if you like, the peat and carbon? Is that possible? Is it advisable? Is it necessary? I ask this because I think it is an issue causing some concern in communities.”
“I thank the Minister for meeting the farm groups in advance of this and in recent weeks. He met members of the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association, INHFA, on a number of occasions on this matter. The association would agree with some of the clarifications provided by the Minister. However, it has a concern about the combining, if you like, of peatlands and mineral soils in the same land parcel identification system, LPIS. If it is over 50% peatland, the whole parcel is viewed or treated as peatland. Will the Minister provide some clarity in that regard? The INHFA feels this is overreach by the Department and will include approximately 100,000 acres of such land, affecting 35,000 farmers. Will the Minister provide clarity?”
“I know there were delays in the scoring mechanism and everything else but the issues around the scheme have left a certain sour taste. I wish the Minister well in sorting out those issues. The good agricultural and environmental condition, GAEC, standard is a part of the CAP strategic plan. We have legal obligations to introduce a GAEC 2 for the protection of wetlands and peatlands. It is a mandatory condition associated with the basic income support for farmers. There were two deferrals before 1 January this year and there can be no further extensions. The standards must be in place before the basic income support for sustainability, BISS, opens, which is now. The Minister is on record as stating that the new standard is expected to have minimal impact on farmers' day-to-day operations, which I welcome.”
“If there is an issue, a week or two weeks should be allowed to provide that information. We should not have a deadline and a cut-off point for the scheme. ACRES has been mentioned. The Minister has inherited difficulties in respect of repayments. As I have said before, the one thing worse than not getting money is getting money and being required to pay it back. Unfortunately, many farmers had to pay back substantial amounts of money under ACRES, which left a sour taste. The scheme has a bad reputation because of that and the delays. I know the Minister is dealing with those issues. It is important for the success of future agri-environmental schemes that we get this sorted, that farmers get paid and have certainty, and that they know, going forward, what they will get up front.”
“In my former life, I prepared a number of the old farm retirement scheme applications, which were notoriously difficult. Solicitors were advised to have nothing to do with them because they were fraught with legal permutations if things went wrong. I appeal for a simpler scheme whereby if additional information or whatever else is needed, liaison can take place with the farmer. We do not want it to be a case of simply putting in an application and if it fails, the farmer is out. The consequences for a farmer in such cases in the past were horrendous. The pressure on farm planners and, as I said, solicitors and others who were dealing with the issues was onerous. Stamp leases, folios and all sorts of different things were required and caused enormous problems. I would urge a back-and-forth approach.”
“The Minister is very welcome to the Chamber. I join others in wishing him well in his term, particularly with the potential of his taking on the Presidency of the EU Council of farm ministers, which would be a very important role as we prepare for the next CAP. CAP has been synonymous with farming all our lives since we joined the EEC, which is now the EU. We realise the importance of, and necessity for, a strong CAP for farming and rural communities. I wish the Minister well in protecting and enhancing the funding for farmers as best we can, as well as the policies and schemes for rural Ireland. I will join others by briefly talking about the farm succession scheme, which is a part of the programme for Government. It supports generational renewal.”
“Before I move to the next speaker, I welcome Deputy Frank Feighan to the Chamber. He is a former Member of this House. I welcome his guests, Damien and Mary Garvey, from Ballintubber in Roscommon. I hope they enjoy Frank’s legendary hospitality over the course of the day.”
“I congratulate and welcome my good friend and colleague, the Minister, Deputy Heydon, to the Chamber for the first time as Minister for agriculture to open proceedings on a debate on Ireland's national plan under the Common Agricultural Policy.”
“Reference has been made to outsourcing services internationally. The Minister has indicated that the money will be spent where necessary but, ideally, the treatment would be in this country. Reviews were carried out in the past, including, for example, the Boston review. Progress has been made on the recommendations of the Boston review into paediatric orthopaedics. Would the Minister like to comment on the implementation of the recommendations? Much progress has been made but some of the recommendations still remain to be implemented.”
“Either everybody is eligible or there are criteria and a cut-off point. The cut-off point must be a specific distance in kilometres. I will seek a debate on the issue. There was always concern about what used to be known as concessionary tickets. There may be a different name for them now. Some children did not have a place available on a school bus. The Senator correctly referred to quality of life and a reduced carbon footprint due to a reduction in car use. It is a no-brainer that additional places would be provided on school buses. The provision is subject to having enough bus drivers and buses, which are ongoing issues. We debated the issue in the last term, including increasing the retirement age for bus drivers by a couple of years, which might be of assistance. They are all the matters that were raised here today.”