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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Balbriggan healthcare site

Summary

Senator O’Brien asks the Leader to raise with the Health Minister the availability of a suitable free site in Balbriggan; accompanying remarks concern Labour’s new Whip.

I do have a question for him. First, I want to bring this matter to the attention of colleagues. Second, I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Health if he is aware that the land that was identified is still available, at no cost to the taxpayer, the Exchequer or the people of Balbriggan. It is on a county development plan and two local area plans. Extensive discussions have taken place between the local authority and the HSE over many years. They go all the way back to 1970 with the publication of the County Dublin Areas of Need, CODAN, report, in which areas such as Tallaght, Ballymun, Blanchardstown, Clondalkin and Balbriggan were included. Balbriggan was the only town in north County Dublin that was identified then. Why is the State entering into a lease on the Dublin Street site when there is a free site still available at Castlelands, Balbriggan? The Minister did not explain why he did not proceed with a centre that location.

This is important. I restate that Balbriggan needs a primary care centre. I know that because I live there. I am concerned that no one can see the wood for the trees with regard to why the site was selected. I ask the Minister to stop using the people of Balbriggan as an excuse and as a shield. They are insulted. Last night, when I was in Balbriggan, I heard its inhabitants' concerns that they will not get the primary care centre they deserve because of the way he has dealt with this matter. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister whether he is aware that the site identified by the HSE and Fingal County Council, which is in the development plan and has been in two local area plans since 2002, is available at no cost. It was selected for the specific purpose of developing a primary care centre in Balbriggan, which is badly needed.

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Yesterday, I should have formally congratulated Senator Aideen Hayden, who is taking over as the new Labour Party Whip. I thank Senator Susan O'Keeffe, the outgoing Labour Party Whip, and commend her for all the work she has done. I wish Senator Hayden well in her new role. I know that other Members of the House have spoken on this issue and thank Senator Wilson, in particular, for his kind words yesterday, which we appreciate. I will formally notify the Clerk of the Seanad of the change.

I thank the Leader for confirming that today's Committee Stage debate on the Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill will be adjourned if not concluded. I note that quite a number of amendments have been tabled, including some substantive Government amendments that will be introduced in the Seanad. The move was signalled in the good Second Stage debate last week by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin. He signalled then that the Government would table a series of amendments in the Seanad, which we welcome. Senator Barrett and I were particularly glad to see a change to ensure that the HEA would become a reviewable agency. Some important amendments have been tabled and I am glad that we will now have plenty of time to discuss them.

I note that it is five years ago this week that we debated the Climate Protection Bill 2007, which I introduced as a Private Members' Bill. I know that an ongoing substantial consultation process is being conducted by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, with a view to finally introducing a climate change Bill. It would be good to hold a debate here on the process of consultation and the process leading to the climate change Bill in order to achieve the best framework for climate protection in the forthcoming Bill.

I will say a final word on the Government's legislative programme. I am delighted that the civil registration Bill to legalise humanist weddings has been given a priority A listing in the Government's legislative programme. I hope it will be introduced here within a month.

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