Before I call on the Acting Leader, I join those who raised the issue of the Garvaghy Road in expressing my concerns about what has developed over the past week. We unfortunately will remember what happened there nearly 30 years ago and the estimated 21 murders that happened around the Garvaghy Road and because of the issues around it not just 28 years ago but in the years leading up to it. There were numerous parades blocked and allowed through over those years which led directly to the murders of an estimated 21 people.

We do not want to go back to those days. We hope that the Irish Government, working with their colleagues in Northern Ireland, but also Britain, the United States and Europe, make sure that the situation is resolved peacefully and that the peaceful situation that has existed for many years in the Garvaghy Road community would be allowed to continue.

I will begin with the Garvaghy Road, as it is something that has been raised by many, including Senators Conway, Murphy, Cosgrove, Blaney and Sarah O'Reilly. As the Cathaoirleach rightly mentioned, it is something that we did not see coming down the tracks. It took us all by surprise, first, in terms of the decision that was made by the Parades Commission. No one in this House wants to go back to the scenes of the past. As we know, peace is something that needs to be protected and worked upon every day. We have made great strides across the island in improving relations across communities, but it also shows the sensitivity that still exists in the North in both communities.

The Secretary for State spoke earlier this morning about both sides needing to double down on compromising. He is travelling to Belfast today to re-engage with communities and civil leaders there. Dialogue is the best way forward but it does bring attention to the sensitivities that do exist on this issue. I hope that a resolution can be found this week because it is such a sensitive issue. As Senator Conor Murphy said in his contribution, it has the effect of retraumatising people who have grown up in that area, both young and old. The new and younger generation in particular, which has benefited from the peace process, do not want to see these wounds being reopened on the Garvaghy Road or anywhere else across the island. I hope that a positive resolution to this dispute between both communities is brought to a conclusion this week.

Senator Comyn raised the proliferation of vape shops across Ireland, and in particular in her home county of Louth. It is something that has been raised here many times by many Senators. It requires an all-of-government approach to address the proliferation of these shops. The issue is raised with me regularly. It is also raised with representatives, councillors, Senators and Oireachtas Members, because people have a civic pride in their town and they feel that the cynical targeting of young people in particular with different flavouring and colouring really does not add anything to a town. I have spoken with the Leader on this and he hopes to bring forward proposals to the Seanad that we can all discuss and debate. It will require a whole-of-government approach. Senator Comyn has my full support in working to help try and address that for every town across Ireland.

Senator Comyn also raised the shingles vaccine, which is something I previously raised in a Commencement matter. I understand that no decision has been made on it. I also understand the real importance of the issue. People do not really appreciate the effect shingles can have until they get it themselves, in terms of the debilitating illness that it is. I encourage her to table a Commencement matter on it. I am sure the Minister wants to see it realised. I believe there are conversations ongoing, so I do not want to pre-empt any commercial discussions, but it is something that would be very well received by us all here.

Senator Nelson Murray raised the publication of the legislation on insurance reform - the judicial council (amendment) Bill - the general scheme of which was published in January this year.

The Senator has been a long-time advocate of insurance reform and has done brilliant work in this House and in her party to help to improve conditions and make them more friendly for businesses, which are already under pressure. I will take it up with the Leader to make sure this item is put on the agenda as soon as possible. The Minister, as Senator Nelson Murray mentioned, is no stranger to this House and has led many Bills through the Seanad in his Ministry and I would like to think the legislation will come before the House sooner than later.

Senator Clifford-Lee raised an important issue in her area, specifically the limitations on car parking at the train station at Rush and Lusk. It is a victim of its success, with the increased use of public transport and the expansion of both towns with housing developments, but if it cannot be adequately accessed by bus transport or active travel infrastructure, that creates a big challenge. I work with the Senator on the transport committee and it is something we can work on together to advocate for it. She has requested a debate on growing communities on the peripheries of cities like Dublin, Cork and different areas where there is a big population and pressure is put on satellite towns. It is a good and worthwhile proposal and I will discuss it with the Leader to consider whether we can facilitate that discussion.

Senator Victor Boyhan discussed the horticulture sector and, in particular, the €2 billion worth of imports of fruit and vegetables to Ireland. We have a strong climate with conditions that could support improvements to increase exports, which stand at €495 million currently. There is merit in an overall conversation in this space to see what Ireland can do from a food security point of view, and from an industrial point of view in terms of creating new jobs, to make sure we maximise what we produce. The Senator has discussed it with the Leader's office and I hope his request can be facilitated.

Senator Joe Flaherty discussed the proliferation of solar farms, in particular in his home county of Longford, where in an area with a 15 km radius, more than 850 acres of solar farms are being developed. While we all want to ensure we have a decarbonised future with wind and solar energy and other renewable projects, we also need to have planning clarity on this. It has been discussed here at length. I encourage Senator Flaherty to put down a Commencement matter on it and I will speak to the Leader to ensure it is highlighted, because every community needs clarity on it.

Senator Keogan discussed the sensitive nature of child trafficking in Ireland. It is a sensitive topic and a lot of the contribution made involves serious content. If there is a lack of resourcing, that is a more general discussion we can have, as Senator Scahill encouraged. However, there will be a good opportunity through the justice committee to discuss and raise it, as there potentially also is through a Commencement matter to make sure those issues are highlighted. It is important that every child in this country is protected, especially those who are most vulnerable, and everything needs to be done to enable and support that.

I do not think anyone would disagree with that.

Senator Andrews raised the recent football game between Ireland and Israel, which is another very sensitive topic. Many people have many views on this. It is a very sensitive matter. Obviously, the FAI consulted its membership and that membership made a decision to go ahead with the game. The players were consulted by management and their decision was to go ahead with the game. The game went ahead and Ireland won the game. I have the view, and I think my view is shared more broadly, that UEFA has made it very difficult for countries like Ireland, which has a very strong position on Gaza and Palestine, by not making a decision one way or another on Israel's participation in the Nations League games. That has placed a downward pressure on the association and, indeed, the management team and players. As the Senator mentioned, tomorrow an FAI delegation will appear before the Oireachtas committee on sports. It will be a further opportunity to talk through the technicalities of the issue. We all condemn persecution, war and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. No one in the FAI, in Ireland or in this House condones any of that. However, the reality that faced the FAI in the event that it chose not to play the game has put pressure on them. UEFA must bring clarity by making a judgment on behalf of all associations and not singling out Ireland to do the work on that.

Senator Andrews also raised the huge success of Aoife and Lisa O'Rourke, as did Senator Scahill. On behalf of all Senators, I reiterate that it is a huge honour and achievement for them both. It is inspiring for young women in sport. Senator Scahill also mentioned their achievements under the premise of inclusion in sport and ensuring we have sporting access for everyone of all age, gender and ability or otherwise. The O'Rourke sisters are brilliant ambassadors and I convey my sincere congratulations to them on that.

Senator Scahill made an interesting point about the overwhelming nature of reports of fraud cases to the Garda. He made a really good observation about the amount of paperwork and technical work faced by gardaí in each station. As a fellow member of the same Garda jurisdiction in Roscommon and Mayo, we all want to see more gardaí being freed up to be on the beat and be a presence in communities, and support community policing, and active and proactive policing because that is the most constructive form we can take. I encourage the Senator to raise the issue with the committee and table a Commencement matter to continue the advocacy for it. The Senator has my support because, as he has said, the CSO excludes fraud in the financial sector, which is overwhelming the system and definitely more needs to be done in that area.

Senator Gallagher raised two points ahead of the upcoming budget, the first of which related to the closure of 2,200 pubs in recent years. Obviously there has been a cultural change. Pubs open and close for various reasons so there is not just one small measure. However, pubs are a lifeline in many rural areas.

He addressed pubs that do not sell food but are often a home for community, whether that is people meeting up for a community meeting, having a game of cards, having a gathering after a funeral or a celebration of a community achievement. They offer a really important link for rural Ireland. The Senator called for supports in the upcoming budget for that. We cannot pre-empt the budget but we hope that there are supports in that space. Senator Gallagher also raised smuggling issues, in particular in respect of tobacco, and while over a number of years the rates of smoking have decreased across Ireland, primarily due to the increase in cost and other societal changes, smuggling is the black market that has been an unintended consequence of that price increase. Even solid fuels, which are in a regulated environment, represent a sector which has also been undermined by black market sales. We should have a broader conversation on smuggling because it is unregulated, we do not know the contents of it and it is costing the State both in health and finances.

Senator Craughwell raised the issue of investment in the defence sector, in particular taking issue with the 43% increase for defence because of the impact of inflation on that figure. The buying power is not as pronounced as the headline figure makes itself out to be. He has rightly said that we need to invest more in defence, especially in a more polarised world in the last number of years. Budget day is just around the corner. The Senator would share my support and I hope that we see an increased investment in defence. Senator Craughwell has been a long-time advocate for increased measures in defence spending and brings a lot of expertise to the space. I hope that is realised in the budget.

Senator Blaney congratulated the Irish football team on their win. I would like to share that. It is an incredibly difficult time for them as players, their families and their supporters. There are multiple different views in every household on many different issues but this is a particularly sensitive one that has put the players under a lot of pressure. I hope that we can all get behind the team in their fixture against Austria on Thursday. They lost to Kosovo, have beaten Israel, and have a chance now to really kick on in the group with a win over Austria.

Senator Stephenson has raised the recommendation for a commission of investigation for those with spina bifida and scoliosis. This has been an incredibly difficult issue for many families and for patients. I have met many and have worked with the Minister, who has been sincere and generous with her time in meeting families that have been affected in multiple different ways. I welcome the commission of investigation into it. Clarity and accountability are needed about the matter. I hope that the commission of investigation's scope is broad enough to ensure that all cases are properly considered and those who are affected are listened to because it is important that these voices are listened to and that the reforms are made to protect children to prevent anything that has happened previously in that area.

Senator Pauline Tully attended a protest outside on Kildare Street today and attended the session in the audiovisual room about the Every Child Matters campaign, in particular relating to the lack of support for children with disabilities. She has relayed her views on the CDNT and is asking for a debate on it.

I totally understand. Daily, I meet families affected where there are children or adults with disabilities in the household. While the Government has invested a significant amount in disability and is very sincere in trying to address this problem, there is a long way to go. I think we all recognise that. Budget day is around the corner. I am not trying to pin all the hopes of every issue on it but I hope to see improvements for the disability sector on budget day.

I think those were all the matters raised with me.

I welcome guests of the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Ardagh, from Presentation school in Warrenmount. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann today.