I rise to discuss Lyme disease. I give my full support to the people who have spent a number of hours outside the gates of Leinster House today.

Lyme disease is caused by a bacterial infection carried by a tick, as we all know, and has quickly become one of the most common diseases in Europe. It is beyond time that Ireland recognises the dangers of that disease. When we were young and growing up, if one's mother or father saw one getting a tick, there was panic and pandemonium to get this out of one's system and not pick up such. We have an attitude now that this does not matter but it is becoming a massive problem. If we do not deal with it now, in years to come we will regret that we did not move in time.

I know people in my area, including one lady who is so sick she could not come here. That young lady has asked me to come and make the case. That is why I went outside the gates like many others today. When one engages with those people, one sees all the symptoms like muscle pains and dizziness. Sleep disturbance, depression, panic attacks and so many things are linked to Lyme disease. We should take it seriously. One can know from talking to people at the gate how badly they have been affected by it. I fully endorse the calls for a debate. That is the way to go. Let us have a good debate about it and see if we can raise this higher on the agenda because we need to do that.

On the national maternity hospital, I have listened to Professor Higgins and Dr. Rhona Mahony today. People are saying to me today: "For God's sake, will we move on on this?". I accept there are concerns but if one leases a piece of land for 298 years in a legal agreement, then one owns it for that period. Most people say they are happy with what is there and we should move on with the project. I hope we do.

I ask the Deputy Leader to liaise with the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and see if, with the Cathaoirleach's help, he will come to the House for a debate on e-scooters. I know legislation is being proposed and in draft but it has to be addressed sooner rather than later. As we all know, it can take a long time for legislation to get through this House. E-scooters could be dealt with under existing guidelines, at least with regard to some of the issues affecting everyday life at present. Anyone who goes anywhere in any village, town or city in Ireland cannot go 20 yds without coming in contact with an electric scooter.

I am all for them but regulation is needed and there is little guidance or regulation, apart from the age one has to be to have one on the road. There needs to be more enforcement of existing guidelines. I have no doubt that can be done through the Minister and the Department. I ask that we bring the Minister in to have a discussion and tease this issue out in the Upper House.