The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on prisons and alternative sentencing options, to be taken at 1 p.m. and to conclude at 2.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes each, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes each, and the Minister to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; No. 2, the Air Navigation and Transport (Arms Embargo) Bill 2024 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 2.30 p.m., with proceedings thereon, if not previously concluded, to be brought to a conclusion at 4.30 p.m. by the putting one question from the Chair, which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Government; No. 3, statements on disability matters, to be taken at 4.30 p.m. and to conclude at 6.10 p.m., if not previously, concluded, with time allocated to the opening remarks the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes each, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes each, and the Minister to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; and No. 4, statements on homelessness (resumed), to be taken at 6.15 p.m. and to conclude at 7.15 p.m., if not previously concluded, with time allocated to the contribution of all Senators not to exceed four minutes, and the Minister to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate.

I want to raise a report that was issued yesterday in Northern Ireland in relation to approximately 500 women, many of whom were trafficked, who were available for prostitution on legal websites. While the selling of prostitution is illegal in Northern Ireland, as it is here, the websites are not illegal. Obviously, many of these women are very vulnerable. Many of them have come into the country through trafficking and some, sadly, have turned to prostitution because of addiction, poverty and other issues in their lives. It is really important that we help and support these women.

However, we cannot see this a situation isolated to Northern Ireland. Obviously, it is happening every day in our towns and cities and on our streets. We must do more. Looking at the statistics in Northern Ireland, over the past 11 years, 134 arrests were made but there were only five convictions. We need to see what the statistics are here. We need to have a debate with the Minister for justice in relation to this.

I want to give a shout out to Ruhama in particular, which does a lot of really good work in this area. It supported almost 1,300 women last year. Some 36% of those had sought its help for the first time, and many of these had been trafficked. Ruhama has opened a house, called Rose’s House, which has been open for approximately two years now. It is an accommodation space for those who can be rescued out of human trafficking. The Minister, Jim O’Callaghan, has done a lot of work in this area. Only this March, he had a review of exploitation and prostitution. He is considering recommendations. It would be very opportune to bring the Minister in on this matter, but also to learn about the efforts going on at EU level to identify some of the perpetrators. This is really important work that needs to be done.

Last night, I hosted a meeting in the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge, with the Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue, on the upcoming sports capital grants. I thank all those who came. We have wonderful volunteers in my county of Kildare, but also around the country, in terms of supporting many different types of sport. It is incumbent on us to help and support them. One of the big issues, particularly in Dublin, Kildare, Meath and possibly Galway – in areas where there are developing populations - is the scarcity of land. It is important that the Minister of State for sport has a matrix in relation to the population base when trying to match resources and land that local authorities or other State organisations may have. I would like to see a debate on that within this House.

Recently, Senator Boyle gave me one of the reports from the health committee, which did a recent report on dental services. They constitute an issue that I have raised in this House numerous times. We know that we have not been producing enough dentists historically and that we do not have enough dentistry places. Last September, we welcomed the addition of 20 new places, but there is still a lack of places. Only something like 8% to 10% of applicants are getting places on dental courses in Ireland. This is not meeting demand. That resonates throughout the country. We are seeing three-, four- and five-month waiting lists to get into dentistry. We all receive calls in our offices every day of the week. Medical card holders are unable to find a dentist who will accept them. Dentists are not accepting new medical card holders. It was great to see that the report pointed out the need for more dentists and dental places, but it also pointed out there was an opportunity to give dental hygienists more responsibilities to alleviate some of the pressure on our dentists.

I would like us to have a debate on dentistry, maybe get someone in from the Department of Health, and see whether we can have a good wholesome conversation and try to address some of these issues. It is not only affecting my area or Senator Duffy's area; it is affecting everybody's area. It is a topic that we need to have a discussion about. Dental health has a lasting impact on overall health. Addressing dental health early can reduce some of the financial pressures on other areas within the health service, as can having that conversation about dental check-ups for primary school children because we all know the waiting list extends to that as well. I would welcome the opportunity to have that conversation.

I want to raise a couple of issues here this morning. The first is in relation to Commencement matters. I have submitted a number of Commencement matters in relation to Cluain services, an extraordinary resource in Clonmel, County Tipperary, that provides education, training, activities and respite for people with disabilities and people with mental health issues. It is the only centre in that part of south Tipperary doing this. However, would-be students who are taken on that course have to transfer their disability allowance or social welfare payment over to the Cluain service for the period of their course and this creates a bizarre and unnecessary administrative burden for the Department of Social Protection. For people who are suffering mental health issues or people who have disabilities, this is also onerous. A lot of people who would be able to avail of these services are not doing so because of this bizarre and anomalous administrative requirement, which may have something to do with keeping the numbers on the live register artificially low. I cannot think of a reason for it. When I have submitted the Commencement matters, I get these replies from civil servants, initially from the Department of Health and the HSE stating that it is not their Department and it is not their responsibility and that we should go to the Department of Social Protection. I put the Minister for Social Protection on the Commencement matter and that Department replies stating it is not that Department and it is the HSE and the Department of Health. We are all very busy people here and we have a mandate to represent our constituents. I was a public servant. The clue is in the name, "servant". They are here to assist us and help us. Rather than giving us these cryptic responses to the extent that you will have to figure out yourself who to send it to, could they not join the dots for us as a simple, professional and collegiate courtesy? If they are going to refuse a Commencement matter on the basis that it is not the right Department, would they have the courtesy to say who is responsible? It is wasting time in the system? It is an excellent system. It is not a criticism of the Commencement matter system; it is a criticism of these kind of cryptic responses to say it is not their Department. When they know full well who it is, they should tell us and help us represent our constituents.

There is a second issue I want to bring up. I have just come from a disability matters committee meeting this morning. In that committee meeting, three parents and carers expressed the view to the committee that they hoped their adult children would predecease them, that they would die before they do. What kind of a society are we that parents and carers like me live in fear of what happens to our children when we die? I have written to both the Minister, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, about these issues and I have not even received an acknowledgement. I would like to have a debate in this House. I do not know if it is possible to bring in more than one Minister - similar to the Commencement matter issue, there are these issues around demarcation - to have a proper debate on the abject living conditions for disabled citizens in Ireland, especially as we approach the Presidency of the EU. It is Ireland's absolute shame, and it is unnecessary.

Today, I want to raise something that has been not only on my mind, but brought up to me a lot over the last couple of months. It is a Bill that will be going into the Dáil next week, on vaping and on the banning of flavours. I will give the Leader a rundown. My own story is a lot like many stories. I started smoking in 1992. The first time I ever tried to give them up was in 2012. I went into a vape shop and bought a vape. The first question I was asked was what kind of cigarettes I smoked. They matched you to your tobacco flavour. I lasted two-and-a-half days on the vape. It was disgusting. I could not continue and went back on cigarettes. Seven years ago, I gave them up when I found flavours. Since then, I have stayed off cigarettes. I can guarantee 110% that if the flavours go, it will not only be me back on cigarettes; it will be a lot of people. I have been told that since the tax went on, people are buying tobacco pouches and making their own cigarettes because it works out cheaper now to buy a pouch of tobacco and make cigarettes than to buy the liquid for their vapes.

The rationale behind it is to stop children vaping, and I completely agree. There is a law there. The law was brought in a couple of years ago. Under-18s cannot be sold vapes. We should enforce the law instead of punishing every adult who uses flavoured vapes to stop themselves from smoking tobacco, which, we have been told, is bad for us. I hold my hand up. I did not give them up for health reasons. I never had a health issue when I was on them. I gave them up for money reasons. That was the only reason I gave them up. As I said, if the flavours are gone, it will not be against my belief to go back on cigarettes because it was a money reason for giving them up, not anything else.

We need to enforce the law instead of punishing people. We will have an awful spiral of people going back on cigarettes. We have spent so much time trying to get people off them, with the smoking ban, all the health aspects of it that have come out through the HSE and all the campaigning. We will have an awful turnaround.

We should provide for generic packaging, as we did with cigarettes. They should have generic packaging. Let us take away all those lovely colours and the shop fronts and put them generic. We should have them in behind the boxes, as we have the cigarettes sold in every grocery store and every shop corner. You can buy cigarettes but they are hidden away. They are not in the nice shiny packaging.

There are lots of ways we could do this but a collective punishment is not the way to do it. We will have an awful spiral of people going back on cigarettes. I hold my hand up - I will be honest - I will be the first.

Last Friday, the family of Scarlett Faulkner brought her remains to St. Munchin's Church in Clancy Strand in Limerick and they said their goodbyes. Tragically, two days later, the body of her brother, Jason Faulkner, was recovered from the Abbey river in Limerick. It is a second devastating blow for the family and friends of the tight-knit community and I would like to extend my deepest condolences to them. The HSE Mid-West is very involved in supporting the wider group and family group. The local resource officer for suicide is on site with the family, the Limerick Traveller Network is on site and the National Office for Suicide Prevention is supporting. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, is co-ordinating closely with the HSE Mid-West lead, Sandra Broderick, on this matter. I would ask if we could have at an appropriate time a debate on suicide prevention and mental health challenges across our country with our young people and to bring the Minister in so that she can update us on the work that she and her Department are doing in this area.

I have raised on many occasions here on the floor of Seanad Éireann how important and strategic the River Moy is in County Mayo. It begins in east Mayo and flows through north Mayo and out to the Atlantic Ocean. It has been fished by many people. It is known nationally and internationally. The late and great Jack Charlton fished there many a summer after World Cups. Later this afternoon the climate, energy and environment committee will have a discussion on the salmon decline in the River Moy. I would like to take the opportunity this morning to acknowledge the work of the Moy Action Group, members of which - Martin Parker, Simon Leonard, Peter McHugh, Rob Cording and Ian Canavan - are here in the Gallery this morning, and acknowledge the work and leadership that they have brought to the table on behalf of fishermen and women in County Mayo. The ask is clear: that we have accurate data. There is no denying that there are challenges facing the River Moy and salmon stocks right around the world but the accuracy of data is part of that question. From the Leader's experience advocating for fishermen in Galway, he has been a strong supporter of them.

I acknowledge the work of the team from Moy Action Group and look forward to the discussion we will have later today. It is often commented upon that it is important to listen to communities and people on the ground because they are the eyes and ears. They understand it intimately, care about biodiversity and the precious ecosystem that is the River Moy and what can be done to protect it. It is also important to have clear data on the number of smolts and salmon in the river and what needs to be done to protect and enhance it for future generations. Blanket bans and closures are not always the answer. I will also highlight Thomas McMahon in Foxford in Mayo, who has innovated with an app that can help be part of that solution. Councillor Neil Cruise has been very supportive of it too. In respect of the measures that will be proposed later today in the conversation we will have, I ask for Commencement debates on them and that we have the relevant Minister to make them a reality.

RTÉ will air an "RTÉ Investigates" programme titled "Inside the Care System" tonight at 9.35 p.m. I am highlighting it in the context of our debate on the Mental Health Bill last week and other areas of welfare. "RTÉ Investigates" spent the last year inside the family law court system documenting an unfolding crisis in the care of Ireland's most vulnerable children. It is described as heartbreaking, with the potential to cause lasting damage. In the documentary that will air tonight, we will hear directly from young people who have been through the care system in their own words. I also take this opportunity to thank the documentary's producer and director, Lydia Murphy.

Rarely does the public hear from young people who are experiencing a care system under increasing pressure, from staff shortages to mounting condemnation from the Judiciary over its failure to meet its lawful obligations to protect children in care in this State. A teenager who we will hear tonight will talk about how he spent months in an adolescent psychiatric unit. Senators will recall many of us discussed this issue last week. When he no longer needed the treatment he had to remain in the psychiatric unit because, as Tusla says, and this will be outlined tonight in the programme, they had no residential placement available for him. Controversial care homes known as special emergency arrangements, SEAs, mean that children are being placed in accommodation to facilitate them. These are provided by private operators, including rented apartments and houses, bed and breakfasts and hotels. However, these are unregulated and unregistered, private-run facilities that cannot be inspected by the regulatory authority. Remarkably, these SEAs are State-funded from Tusla's budget. It is a shocking indictment of a system that we have allowed go on in this State. I urge every Member of this House to tune in to "RTÉ Investigates" at 9.35 this evening.

I welcome to the Gallery Deputy Liam Quaide from Cork and his guests. I thank them for being here.

In January, I stood in this Chamber and called for the abolition of the universal social charge. Today, in light of the recent protests, the ongoing energy crisis and the relentless cost-of-living crisis, I find myself compelled to make that call again but I want to go further. In recent weeks, we have heard much talk from Government about increased expenditure, more subsidies and so on, justified by the ever-growing projections of a budget surplus. There is another model that deserves serious consideration; reducing and abolishing the burdensome taxes rather than endlessly expanding spending, most especially the USC. The truth is that it is far more efficient to leave money in working people's pockets than to take it from them, funnel it through an inefficient State apparatus and return a fraction of it through complex schemes and supports.

At present, the State is demonstrably inefficient, perhaps the most inefficient in western Europe. Anyone who looks at the delays, overruns and ballooning costs knows this to be true. This Government will run out of road if it continues to substitute subsidies for real reform. We cannot subsidise our way out of every crisis while ignoring the structural problems at the heart of public spending. Fianna Fáil backbenchers were told they would have influence at budget times. If that influence is real, I call on them to use it to reduce taxes, not to invent more and new subsidies that merely mask the problem. We can halve prices at the pump through tax abolition tomorrow. Likewise, every euro taken in USC is a euro that cannot be used by a household to make an energy bill, fill a trolley or cover childcare. Until inefficiency within the State is tackled head-on we should be reducing the burden on ordinary people, not increasing it under the guise of compassion. Abolishing the USC would be a clear signal that this House understands that the best way to help people through a cost-of-living crisis is not always more government but more freedom to keep the money they earn.

It is disappointing to hear Government Senators looking for time to debate mental health issues when the Government guillotined the Mental Health Bill just last week.

Hear, hear.

The Minister with responsibility for sport, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, a couple of weeks ago lost his shit over idiots throwing-----

Stop, stop.

He lost his-----

No, sorry. This is going to stop. A number of Senators have been using bad language in this Chamber inappropriately, not today, but I am just saying. The Seanad is not going to have inappropriate language inside. That is not going to continue. The next time someone does something like that we are suspending the House. Continue, Senator.

Could you just start the clock again?

Having not applied by the Standing Orders, I will allow you extra time but use it carefully and appropriately. Be cautious of your language.

A number of weeks ago, the Minister with responsibility for sport lost the plot-----

That is better.

----over idiots throwing flares onto a pitch in Dundalk. He started threatening to pull funding and to ban clubs from playing. It was hysterical. Yet, the same Minister has no problem playing a team that represents a country-----

The Senator should be careful about what he is saying about Government members as well.

What did I say?

I am not repeating it because I am not helping. When you are referring to anybody, try to temper the language.

I am actually not sure what I was supposed to have said there. The Minister with responsibility for sport, while critical of a few idiots and threatening sports groups and clubs about playing, has no issue about playing genocidal Israel in an international match. Israel has killed over 70,000 or 80,000 Palestinians in Gaza, including over 20,000 children. How can a Government Minister stand over playing genocidal Israel when clearly the country is out of control? How can the Government on the one hand talk about suspending the trade pact with Israel, yet at the same time also welcome apartheid Israel over here to play an international football match with open arms?

The Government says it is going to pass the occupied territories Bill but at the same time it is willing to play genocidal, apartheid Israel. In what world does that make sense? The hypocrisy is beyond staggering. Is the Government going to security-screen the players and management? Is it going to allow the members of the team and management who were active in genocide enter the country? It is extraordinary and it is shameful. What is the FAI doing in considering to play a match against Israel? The CEO of the FAI does not live under a rock. He knows what Israel is doing, yet he is happy to play a team that is part of its sportswashing efforts. The FAI congress believes Israel should not be in UEFA but the CEO is ignoring Irish football and ignoring their own FAI congress.

I welcome to Seanad Éireann guests of Deputy Matt Carthy from Greece, who are students from University College Dublin.

It is no surprise that today I want to talk about the Defence Forces. In particular, I want to talk about the adjudication of 27 September 2010. We ask representative bodies to go to adjudication to resolve issues that exist within an organisation. The Defence Forces is suffering recruitment and retention issues. That adjudication of 2010 awarded the Army Ranger Wing and those who cook, the chefs, in the Defence Forces an increase in pay backdated to 1 June 2006. Surely it is time for the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to be re-amalgamated into the Department of Finance. What is the point of having an adjudication if the Department of public expenditure is going to step in and say "No"?

I know this is right across the House and across all political parties. The long arm of the Department of public expenditure is reaching into every corner within the public service. Surely to God if the Department of Defence is agreeable under adjudication to give an award, it should be given and there should be no further discussion about it. It is time to get rid of the Department of public expenditure, amalgamate the two under one Minister and leave us one senior Minister who can take over the Department of Defence and can see to it that we have a proper defence Department. Coming from a garrison town, as the Leader does, I know the Leader will want to bring the Minister for Defence in here and have a discussion on this.

It is outrageous. These men, the Army Ranger Wing, are the people you put on the front line every time there is a crisis, and I mean a dangerous crisis. If the Leader could organise a debate on that I would really appreciate it.

A number of months ago we had Professor Steve Kerrigan appear before us and address the petitions committee. He brought in people who had suffered with sepsis or had family members who had passed away. There was a deeply moving testimony from a lady called Sinéad O'Reilly who lost her sister-in-law, Sarah.

Professor Kerrigan reminded us that sepsis is on the increase and we are facing more sepsis in sicker and older communities throughout Ireland. There are fewer effective drugs to treat it. Antibiotics, which we have always relied upon and are the cornerstone, are increasingly failing to treat sepsis. It is becoming a big issue for us and it is shaping outcomes. Doctors are increasingly facing infections that do not respond to first-line or even second-line treatments. That is a problem.

I asked Professor Kerrigan to come in to the audiovisual room. He is coming in today to discuss sepsis, why the incidence is rising and how different countries are facing this epidemic, as he would call it. He is bringing Ciaran Staunton with him to join the discussion. Ciaran has been leading the force. He lost his son, Rory, to sepsis. In New York he has driven state-level legislation, which mandates early-recognition protocols and rapid treatment pathways. His experience is both practical and powerful regarding policy and how it can be directly translated into saving lives.

There is going to be a short address today on how sepsis affects us in Ireland and how we can use the EU Presidency to give sepsis a platform. I encourage all of my colleagues and anyone who can to attend the audiovisual room today at 6 p.m. to hear Professor Steve Kerrigan.

I want to raise the issue of the increase in the broadcast levy. We have a media Minister who is not happy that the wrong people got too much airtime during the fuel protests and wanted Coimisiún na Meán to investigate. We then had his line manager, the Tánaiste, Simon Harris, coming out and saying there was no need for an investigation. After a huge backlash supporting freedom of the press, the media Minister then backtracked on his threat. He then signed off on a €20,000 pay rise for the RTÉ boss, Kevin Bakhurst.

Today we hear that the broadcast levy for small radio stations will increase by 39% and in some cases that translates to €14,000. The Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, IBI, is saying it represents a hike of thousands of euro and that it results in a cumulative increase charge of 69% in two years. No warning was given and no notice. I am calling on the media Minister, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, to intervene on this levy and to come in for statements before this House.

Small, local stations are doing great work. They are doing it on a shoestring and for some it is simply unaffordable. Do not put them on the road. Many rural people rely on their local stations as company. RTÉ was bailed out for €750 million and was rewarded for bad behaviour, slush funds, flip-flops and for wasting taxpayers' money. This is a threat to local radio stations and we need the Minister in to discuss this.

There are many discussions at the moment around the fuel crisis, the energy crisis, Government supports and our energy policy as a nation. The Barryroe oil field is a topic that is raised quite a lot in west Cork and in recent times local media and national media have raised the issue. Not just in recent weeks, I have been engaging with the Ballyroe oil field. I met them long before this fuel protest in recent weeks. I have spoken to many in west Cork to sound out the views of people, including party members in Fine Gael and commercial people and business people. I want to put on the record that I support moving to renewables. I support all of us -whether it is parliamentarians, businesses, industry- all of us as citizens protecting our environment and reducing our emissions going forward.

However, we must be realistic. We cannot move to a state of zero emissions in the short term. We must work towards it. We have a natural resource 50 km off our coast in west Cork that potentially may lead to billions of barrels' worth of oil and gas. It is pragmatic and a commonsense policy to see exactly what is there. There is talk of billions of barrels' worth of oil but nobody knows exactly how much. The company that owns the licensing and the project at the moment is requesting an exploration licence. This was refused in 2023 but it needs to be re-looked at.

The Government needs to look at energy policy and energy security. All our oil and gas is brought to this country. It is imported. It is brought in through ships that use diesel fuel. There is a reduction in terms of emissions if we can use our own fuel. It is my view but I think it is a commonsense view. We need to look at our own resources in terms of an energy crisis. I will be discussing it further but it is worth a debate with the Minister for energy in due course.

I want to raise the issue of vaping and the proliferation of vape shops that are popping up right across our main urban areas in County Wexford. I am not against vaping for adults. I recognise it is something that quite a considerable number of people are engaging in. However, I am speaking about the direct targeting of young children and teenagers under the age of 18 through flashy, cartoon-style advertisements across our main urban streets, particularly on the main streets of towns like Enniscorthy, New Ross and Wexford.

There is a deliberate attempt by these shopfront owners using flashy neon lighting to attract and sell vapes to children so that when they are walking down the main street, their eyes are caught by these shiny bright lights outside of these vape shops. It is something we need to have the Minister for planning come in on. We need clear national guidance on what a shopfront for a vape shop can be, how vape shops can market themselves and particularly about how many vape shops can be on one main street within a proximate location to schools or a proximate location where young people are hanging out. To be clear, I am not against vaping and am not looking for a ban on vaping. I am not against vapes being sold to over-18s but given the proliferation of these shops and how many are starting to come, their frontal design with neon lights and all that goes with it, we need clear national guidelines and, if necessary, legislation in this area.

I fully agree with Senator Byrne. I note that, in Australia, vaping is illegal except if you have a prescription. As a result, the amount of vaping in Australia is among the lowest in the world. It is not good for you and it is not healthy.

Hear, hear.

Senator Byrne's point on the proliferation of these awful-looking shops the length and breadth of the country was well made. I note in Ennis how a fantastic music shop that we all grew up with is now a vape shop. We need to address this. Perhaps we could have a debate on it at some stage.

Today, the HSE was at the health committee on the matter of vaccines. One of the issues discussed was the misinformation that seemed to be proliferating on social media about vaccines. Last week, I spoke about the treatment of Senator Flynn by the social media platforms and by individuals on those platforms who were let away with it by them. We are a country that prides itself as being at the cutting edge of tech. Nine of the ten leading tech companies in the world have their European headquarters here in Ireland. We should be the solution, and be finding the solution, to this hate speech and misinformation on social media. We have the ability in this country and the intelligence. We have the technological expertise to find a way. We should not be looking to Europe, the United States or other countries to resolve this problem. This problem is one that we can find the solution to. I do not have the solution because I am not a tech expert but the expertise is in this country because we have created so much in the tech world over the years. I urge that some sort of a structure or formula be found whereby we can channel the expertise and the experts in technology in this country to find a solution to these awful problems.

I thank all Senators this morning for their contributions, starting with Senator O’Loughlin, who raised the issue of prostitution and the recent report from Northern Ireland. She said we were not immune to those issues here. She commended Ruhama and the Rose's House accommodation. She also said we needed to learn from EU efforts and she called for a debate on this matter. We will request that from the Minister, Deputy Jim O’Callaghan. She also raised the sports capital grants, a recent meeting with the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, and the issue of scarcity of land for sports facilities, particularly in urban areas. I will request a debate with the Minister of State in advance of the sports capital grants.

Senator Scahill raised a report from the health committee on dental services and the lack of spaces for those applying to become dentists and he called for a debate on the report. That would be a very worthy debate to have. I have suggested previously that retired dentists might be rehired to carry out checks within schools. They would not have to do procedural work but they could have an important role in ensuring that those very important health check-ups were carried out in schools. I will request a debate on that report.

Senator Clonan has raised the Cluain services in Clonmel in south Tipperary and the work it is doing. There are some concerns regarding disability allowance being required to be transferred to Cluain as part of that. He has put down a Commencement matter debate on this but it has fallen between two Departments. We might be able to check to see which Department might be best placed to answer that Commencement matter. There should not be buck passing. The Senator is right that his issue is not being dealt with because of that.

Senator Clonan also raised the issue of disability and asked for a debate. There is a debate today at 4.30 p.m. on disability matters. I am sure there will be a good turnout on that very important issue.

Senators Collins, Cathal Byrne and Martin Conway raised vaping, the proliferation of vape shops and the possibility of legislative changes to ban flavours. Senator Collins spoke about the implications of that. The Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025 is due in this House, if not next week, then very soon. There is a second Bill regarding the licensing of premises. A lot of concerns have been raised with me locally on the proliferation of vape shops. Since they are classed as retail, as I understand it, there is no requirement in relation to planning or change of use but there are efforts being made through legislation to introduce licences to ensure that vape shops have to have a licence to open, with perhaps other changes in relation to signage, colours and everything else there also. Senator Collins made a valid point in relation to it. Vaping was always talked about as an alternative to smoking rather than an attempt to bring people into smoking. She raised a valid point in relation to the implications there for her as a former smoker.

Senator Dee Ryan expressed her sympathy to the Faulkner family on the passing of Scarlett and, subsequently, Jason. Our thoughts and prayers go to the Faulkner family, to the parents and extended family, in their sad time. I will request a debate on matters of mental health.

Senator Duffy raised the River Moy, which is a huge asset to Mayo and the rest of the country. The late, great Jack Charlton’s fondness for fishing on the River Moy was acknowledged. Senator Duffy noted the need for accurate data and listening to communities. There is a debate at the environment committee today on this matter and on the reduction of salmon returnees to our waters. There are a number of issues, including climate change and warmer waters, so salmon have to go farther and are at greater risk of predation, such as by seals, as they return. There are also issues of water quality. We look forward to that debate at the committee today.

Senator Boyhan raised an “RTÉ Investigates” programme on RTÉ this evening about the care of Ireland’s most vulnerable. He has encouraged people to watch it. We will wait for the programme to air. If there is a request or a requirement for a debate on the outcomes of that, we will attempt to get that.

Senator Keogan discussed the USC and called for its abolition. As I understand it, it brought in €5.3 billion in both 2023 and 2024. It is a significant amount of money. We have one of the most progressive tax systems in the European Union. We have tried to remove as many people as possible from the USC, particularly those on lower pay, and when the minimum wage rises, the thresholds for paying the USC has also risen. Reducing the tax burden is something I would certainly agree with. We hope the forthcoming budget will look at further measures to reduce the tax burden on our citizens.

Senator Andrews referred to the Minister, Deputy O’Donovan, and the issues relating to the FAI match. I am not sure if he put down a Commencement debate on the Ireland match against Israel. I know UEFA is supportive of the match going ahead and there may be repercussions against the FAI were it to be cancelled. I know there are suggestions that the match would be played behind closed doors, boycotted or protested. I think that would be the best way to show the solidarity that people have in support of Palestine and against the actions of Israel on that. The Senator may wish to put down a Commencement matter debate to the Minister.

Senator Craughwell called for a debate on adjudication on Defence Forces awards for Army Rangers and chefs. The Department of public expenditure has said "No". He might put down a Commencement matter debate on that to the Department of public expenditure. I will request a debate with the Minister, Deputy McEntee, as well.

Senator McCarthy raised Professor Steve Kerrigan, who addressed the committee on sepsis and early recognition protocols. The Senator is encouraging people to attend the audiovisual room this evening at 6 p.m.

Senator Sarah O'Reilly raised the projected increase of 39% in the broadcasting levy by Coimisiún na Meán. That would be of serious concern. She may wish to put down a Commencement matter debate on the matter but I will ask the Minister, Deputy O’Donovan, to attend the House. Coimisiún na Meán does important work in relation to supporting local radio, so it would be slightly strange that there would be an increase of 39% in the levy on them. I will ask the Minister to come in and talk about that.

Senator O’Donovan spoke about the Barryroe oil field and licences. That would be a matter for the Minister for energy directly. I was in that role previously. The former Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, put a unilateral ban on any new licence applications. Barryroe has history in relation to licences, so there may be historical licences there to which the Senator was referring.

Some 40% of our electricity now comes from renewables - the Senator has indicated his support for that - and 50% of energy generated in February this year was by using renewables. We have seen a doubling of wind energy in the past ten years. Solar is now the third largest source of indigenous electricity. I accept that no matter which type of energy generation we are talking about, there will be people who are against it and have issues with it, regardless of whether it is oil, offshore or onshore wind or solar, peaking plants or battery plants. There are always campaigns against these sources of energy, so none of the in respect of them is easy. The licensing issue relating to Barryroe is a matter for the Minister for energy. In light of that, the Senator may wish to table down a Commencement matter in order to seek a debate with him.

Senator Martin Conway referred to vaccines, hate speech and misinformation. He commented on the appalling commentary about our colleague Senator Flynn on social media recently. There were previous attempts made regarding hate speech. I am not sure whether there are any plans in that regard, but the Senator may wish to table a Commencement matter to ask the Minister for justice about his legislative plans. The committee on media is regularly involved in discussing this difficult area. Free speech is important. Hate speech and misinformation have to be challenged.