Seanad Éireann
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Vol. 275 Friday, No. 11 7 May 2021 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES SEANAD ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Insert Date Here 07/05/2021A00100Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 878 07/05/2021B00200Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 880 07/05/2021B00300Culture Policy � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 880 Health Services Staff � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 882 07/05/2021F00400Abortion Services � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 885 07/05/2021J00100Renewable Energy Generation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 888 07/05/2021L00400Schools Building Projects � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 891 07/05/2021N00250Departmental Records � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 893 07/05/2021U00100An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 896 07/05/2021HH00300Protection of Employment (Platform Workers and Bogus Self-Employment) Bill 2021: First Stage� � � � � � � 911 07/05/2021HH01000Civil Legal Aid (Exclusion of Value of Free or Partly Free Board) (Amendment) Bill 2021: First Stage � � � � 912 07/05/2021HH01700Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2021: First Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 912 07/05/2021HH02400Protection of Young Persons (Employment) (Exclusion of Workers in the Fishing and Shipping Sectors) Regula- tions 2021: Motion � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 912 07/05/2021MM00100European Digital Green Certificate: Statements � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 913 07/05/2021HHH00100Education (Leaving Certificate Examinations) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Order for Second Stage � � � � 934 07/05/2021HHH00400Education (Leaving Certificate Examinations) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021: Second Stage � � � � � � � � � � � 934 SEANAD ÉIREANN Dé hAoine, 7 Bealtaine 2021 Friday, 7 May 2021 Chuaigh an Cathaoirleach i gceannas ar 10�30 a�m� Machnamh agus Paidir. Reflection and Prayer. 07/05/2021A00100Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad 07/05/2021A00200An Cathaoirleach: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, Deputy Frankie Feighan� I thank him for coming in today. Before he addresses the first matter I will read out the matters submitted by Senators today� I have received notice from Senator Malcolm Byrne that, on the motion for the Commence- ment of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to make a statement on her plans for the safe reopening of theatres and event venues� I have also received notice from Senator Emer Currie of the following matter: The need for the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health to address the inequitable funding for trainee psychologists across clinical, educational and counselling strands� I have also received notice from Senator Paul Gavan of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Health to legislate to create safe access zones for hospitals� I have also received notice from Senator John McGahon of the following matter: The need for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the Government’s plans to connect solar photovoltaic, PV, to the electricity network� I have also received notice from Senator Pauline O’Reilly of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Education provide an update on school buildings for Gal- way Educate Together Secondary School and Cuan na Gaillimhe CNS� 878 7 May 2021 I have also received notice from Senator Eugene Murphy of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to consider releasing the Land Commission records for the period 1870 to 1921 to coincide with this year of com- memorations� I have also received notice from Senator Ivana Bacik of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Education to provide an update on the opening of autism spectrum disorder, ASD, units in schools in the areas of Dublin 2, 4 and 6� I have also received notice from Senator Sharon Keogan of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Education to provide an update on the remedial works required to Duleek boys and girls national schools, County Meath� I have also received notice from Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide an update on the current level of service being offered by the Passport Office; and if he will consider opening a dedicated passport office in the North of Ireland to meet increased demand. I have also received notice from Senator Micheál Carrigy of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Rural and Community Development to allocate funding under the 2021 community development pilot programme to the Attic House CLG, County Longford� I have also received notice from Senator Garret Ahearn of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the proposed primary care centre for Fethard, County Tipperary� I have also received notice from Senator Robbie Gallagher of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Justice to outline the role of data controllers in community close circuit television, CCTV, schemes; and if she will review the situation that exists in Monaghan town� I have also received notice from Senator Mary Fitzpatrick of the following matter: The need for the Minister of Finance to end tax incentives for investment funds� I have also received notice from Senator Marie Sherlock of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to out- line when she will issue updated guidelines on the recommencement of music, dance and drama classes� I have also received notice from Senator Fiona O’Loughlin of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications to make a statement on just transition funding for counties impacted by the cessation of Bord na Mona activities� 879 Seanad Éireann I have also received notice from Senator Erin McGreehan of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to oversee an audit of polling stations and election day procedures to ensure they are accessible, safe and welcoming places for all citizens� Of the matters raised by the Senators suitable for discussion, I have selected Senators Byrne, Currie, Gavan, McGahon, O’Reilly and Murphy and they will be taken now� I regret that I have had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator McGreehan on the ground that the Minister has no official responsibility in the matter. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise� 07/05/2021B00200Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters 07/05/2021B00300Culture Policy 07/05/2021B00350An Cathaoirleach: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, for his patience and him for coming to the House� 07/05/2021B00400Senator Malcolm Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin� We are all looking forward to seeing our museums and galleries opening next week, but I am hoping that it will not be too long before we see our other centres of culture, such as music, drama and entertainment venues, throughout the country opening as well� The pandemic has made us realise, far more than we ever did before, how important music, the arts, drama and entertainment are to our lives� During this period, there have been many wonderful online ini- tiatives by the artistic and musical communities� The Minister of State might agree, however, that nothing beats a live performance� Unfortunately, we have not seen too many of those� There were periods last summer where we were lucky enough to see live performances� I was lucky to see the first outdoor live play by the Coolgreany drama group last summer. St. Mi- chael’s Theatre in New Ross also moved many of its performances outdoors� During the period of the most intense recent lockdown when the Garda performed “Jerusalema”, which brought a smile to all our faces, communities all around the country also did their own versions� This shows the importance of live performance� Last summer we also saw controlled indoor perfor- mances� I am involved with the Gorey Little Theatre� It operated in a controlled environment, with limited numbers coming in� It was very safe and patrons felt safe� This was replicated in other areas such as the Wexford Arts Centre and right around the country� There was no evi- dence, where is was safely operated, that this contributed in any way to the spread