Seagulls and Grafton Street
The Deputy Leader returned to the seagull issue, saying the birds now terrorised people on Grafton Street and that councils needed to consider better bin systems. Senators interjected with jokes about sausage McMuffins and rural Ireland, but she said the nuisance was serious, especially for children, and would seek a ministerial update.
It is not only a problem near the sea, because seagulls are now so domesticated that they come onto Grafton Street and terrorise people. It is an issue. In Howth, Fingal County Council has installed special bins that make it much less likely that rubbish is strewn around the place. Many councils all over Dublin have to take that into account.
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No, and they are clearly fond of sausage McMuffins.
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I am glad to say that this is one problem with which rural Ireland is not plagued.
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It is an interesting area because it is hard to know what to do about it. It is raised with me quite regularly. It sounds like a funny frivolous issue to raise but it is quite serious, especially for children as I have heard many reports of them being chased by seagulls. It is, as the Senator noted, quite frightening. I will request an update on this from the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Madigan.
Senator Conway raised the issue of Limerick hospital, which I have addressed. He also highlighted the LGBTI+ strategy that was launched this morning and the schools involved in a diversity programme. That is to be commended and, we hope, extended.
Senator Murnane O'Connor raised direct provision and spoke about a billionaire in America, which-----