Battle commemoration response
The Leader reports that commemorative events for Clontarf are planned nationwide and undertakes to renew the request for the Heritage Minister to address the Seanad.
Senator Darragh O'Brien and other Senators called for a debate on the 1,000th anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf. I have raised that matter with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, and he has informed me that numerous events have been planned throughout the country, but I will renew my request to him to come to the House and debate the issue.
Senator Darragh O'Brien and other Members spoke about the murder of a young man in Dublin this morning and called for a dedicated Garda unit to deal with gun crime. To the best of my knowledge, there is a Garda unit dealing with serious crime and gun crime. However, I agree with the Senator that Members should have a debate on the issues of gun crime and the criminal justice system, as requested by Senator Ivana Bacik.
On charges for water, the Senator noted that the Taoiseach gave an undertaking on this matter and I am sure it will be honoured. In respect of the White Paper on universal health insurance, it is a discussion document and I will request the Minister to come into the House to have a debate on it when Members return after the recess in May.
Senator Ivana Bacik raised the question of Ukraine and Members will have a debate on this issue on Thursday. Matters in Ukraine are very disturbing and it is an apt opportunity to have a debate on that subject here in this Chamber. Senator Bacik also called for a debate on children's rights in the context of the Children First Bill, which has been mentioned, as well as on the question of the Child and Family Relationships Bill, which is being debated at length in the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. The latter committee does a great deal of work that goes unnoticed to the public. It is one of the busiest committees in these Houses and does a wonderful job.
Senator David Norris raised the nomination of The Guardian and The Washington Post for the Pulitzer Prize and I note his points in this regard. I certainly note his points regarding the young lady who lost her life last year through anaphylactic shock and regarding regulations that should be put in place. I do not know what is the exact legal position but this should not happen again in Ireland. I will find out from the Minister of Health what is the current position and what has changed since that horrific event, which took place last year.
