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Seanad
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

CCTV debate request

Summary

The Leader responds to Senator Duffy, saying he will seek a debate with the Minister on CCTV funding and GDPR issues and acknowledging the security benefits raised.

I thank all Senators for their contributions. Senator Duffy raised the issue of the importance of CCTV in communities. He mentioned the complexities around GDPR. As we know, CCTV footage of identifiable individuals is considered to be personal data so a case must be made for the need to examine the data. He quite rightly talked about security, missing persons and all that goes with that. I will request a debate with the Minister on the matter. That would be worthwhile. Most people would agree. The issue around GDPR, as the Senator rightly said, is one of the relevant issues.

Senator Duffy also wished St. Muredach's College well in the Connacht final. I am sure he will be there cheering them on from the sideline.

Senator Rabbitte raised the issue of a protest tomorrow morning by residents of Cregmore, Grange and Ballymoneen regarding a battery plant that was granted planning permission during the Covid-19 pandemic. She called for flexibility in the planning process to allow individuals, in this case the plant, to make submissions on the extension of the duration of planning permission. I am not sure how that complies with the present Planning and Development Act. She may wish to bring in a Private Members' Bill to make changes to the Planning and Development Act for the purpose of allowing submissions. That would obviously not have an impact on the planning application in question but would impact future applications. I wish the residents well in their protest. In many situations such as this, there are great concerns in communities.

Senator Collins raised a similar issue in relation to wind turbines, planning applications, the impact of changes to maps and the planning guidelines for wind farms.

I will request a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, on the matter. I know there has been a long-running saga when it comes to updating the wind farm guidelines. The Minister of State has been working on that matter. We all agree that it is time for updated guidelines on wind energy.

Senator Conway called for a portrait of W.B. Yeats to be hung in the Houses and for Leas-Chathaoirleach, who is chair of the arts and portraits committee of the Seanad, to engage on the matter. I am sure she will take what the Senator said on board.

Senator Conway also provided a very interesting history of the riots in the Abbey Theatre when the "The Plough and the Stars” was first put on there and the intervention by W.B. Yeats at the time. We look forward to the work of the commission on that matter.

Senator Ollie Crowe referred to the new savings scheme proposal by the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance. Some €170 billion is being held on deposit in banks and financial institutions by people across the country. That money is not generating any returns, and the idea is to redirect some of it into investment. The Tánaiste is looking to bring proposals to the Government by Easter and then engage with institutions and the public thereafter before possibly making decisions in advance of the budget. I look forward to that.

Senator Boyhan referred to vacant and derelict properties. As he knows, there are incentives to support the bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use through the croí cónaithe and town centre first schemes. The Senator spoke about the derelict sites tax and the fact that the owners of these properties have had notice for a year now to the effect that they should engage and apply to draw down grants to do up properties before the tax comes into force. It is important that this carrot-and-stick approach is being used in order to bringing these properties back to a liveable state to allow them to either sold on or leased out to people who desperately require housing.

Senator Andrews referred to Deputy Joanna Byrne, the co-chair of Drogheda United, and her being victimised, if you like, by certain elements in relation to her comments on Israel, which, as I understand it, she made in a personal capacity. I am not sure what the answer is, but I am sure that if there were a rally by her local community to show support, it would send an important message as to any suggestion that she should be removed from her position.

Senator McCarthy again referred to people he has helped in his work with Tiglin and those who have a dual diagnosis. He stated that there are glaring gaps in services for those are addicted to drugs, who may have suicidal ideation as a result and who do not get help because of that. I will request a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, on the issue of dual diagnosis. I know the matter was brought up here during the debate on the Mental Health Bill. I am not sure what the Minister of State’s plans are in relation to the Report Stage debate as to whether there will be any changes made in terms of the issue of dual diagnosis.

Senator Sarah O’Reilly raised concerns about special needs places in a school in Castleblayney. I do not have the details. If the Senator tables a Commencement matter, she might get a more direct response from the Minister. It is important that all families have every chance to get places early, and they every right to do so, and that they do not go through the stress caused by both the waiting and uncertainty involved.

Senator Tully referred to the roads allocation for County Cavan. I do not have the figures in front of me in respect of that matter. I take the Senator's word about the level of investment involved. Obviously, there are differences in relation to national roads funding, local roads funding, the various safety measures and the different schemes. There are seven or eight different lists in relation to specific grants that councils receive. I do not have all the figures, but I will request a debate with the Minister for Transport on the issue of roads funding. As I have said for years, there was never enough roads funding during my time as a local councillor and there never has been since. There is always a need for more funding for roads. There is nothing worse than seeing a freshly laid road developing potholes as soon as it comes into use. In Galway, it has been great to see a move over the past decade to the use of blacktop, which is more durable and better lasting than ordinary tar and chip.

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