I thank the Minister of State for his detailed response. Maximum sentences are fine but what we need minimum sentences also. All I can talk about is Galway city. What is frustrating people in Galway city and county is the large percentage of cases where someone found guilty serves no time at all. Even though they have been found guilty, they are walking out the door and that is outraging people. It is outraging families across the city and across the county. Maximum sentences do not really matter if they are not be…

I thank the Minister of State for being here. I will keep my contribution local because I only have two and a half minutes. Over the past couple of years, I have repeatedly referred to the growing antisocial behaviour problem in Eyre Square. This issue has already had horrific and life-altering consequences. Indeed, a young woman recently lost the sight in one eye after fireworks were thrown at her when she was waiting for a bus. The situation is out of control. That such incidents are happening in Galway city in d…

I wish to bring to the attention of the House the fact that I was rushing during my contribution in order to try to keep to the time limit. The word I wanted to use was "gangs" in order to highlight the fact that gangs were gathering around Eyre Square.

I just want to be clear as to what goes on in the evening.

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This is welcome legislation, which reflects a key commitment in the programme for Government and the action plan for insurance reform to enhance and reform the PIAB process. The data from the Central Bank report are clear. They show that prior to the introduction of reforms, it took twice as long for claimants to go down the legal route, compared with the PIAB process, and they ultimately ended up with a similarly sized settlement. From 2015 to the end of 2020, the aver…

Next Tuesday.

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I extend our sincere sympathies to our friend and colleague, the Clerk-Assistant of the Seanad, Bridget Doody, on the death of her brother Patrick, and also to his family and extended family. The proposed cancer centre at University Hospital Galway will cater for more than 1 million people in the west and north west. It is part of the national development plan and it needs to be prioritised by Government. As Members, and certainly the Acting Leader, will be aware, six and a half …

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, to the House. She is a fellow Galwegian who is often in the House and does great work for us. The issue I want to raise is the two new orthopaedic operating theatres in Merlin Park Hospital in Galway, which the Minister of State will be aware cost €10.5 million. They opened last June and were due to be fully operational shortly thereafter. It is now five years since surgical appointments had to be cancelled when a leaky roof at Merlin Park led to the closure of the …

I sincerely thank the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, for her response. What I like about her is that she gave her own response. Outside the written script, she calls it as she sees it. That is what the House heard. It is incomprehensible that on 9 January 2023 we will increase services by 60%. That will not happen. It is frustrating - I hear that in the Minister of State's voice as well - that we receive bland answers in this House. If I could explain in my own language to the people in Galway city, who electe…

The position of Cathaoirleach is coming up in a few weeks. Perhaps the Acting Chairperson should put his name forward. He was running the House the last evening we were here and he was flying through the business of the House. I commend him on continuing to do that work. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. He has been here a number of times now. I thank him for his help and support. I welcome the draft regulations. We all recognise the importance of data protection and of ensuring people have the privacy …

Now.

I am surprised that the Leas-Chathaoirleach made it back.

I want to raise an issue which I have discussed in the House a number of times in the last couple of years. I refer to the problem of antisocial behaviour in Eyre Square in the heart of Galway city. This has been an ongoing issue during the last two years. Although there have been quieter periods in that time, the problem has never been effectively addressed or stamped out. This situation cannot be allowed to persist. I was born and raised 400 yards from Eyre Square, so I am familiar with the area. I spoke to resid…

Next Tuesday.

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I welcome the Bill, which all Senators should acknowledge represents the greatest reform of consumer law in more than 40 years. It consolidates and updates existing legislation on the sale of goods and supply of services in order to ensure that our legislation is fit for purpose in the modern digital age. Consumers will have the same rights and protections in respect of digital content and services, such as streaming, downloads and cloud products, as they do with tradit…

Next Tuesday.

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Coveney, to the Chamber and thank him for his time. The motion is aimed at expressing our solidarity with the people of Iran, particularly the women and girls who are fighting for basic human freedoms. Like all Members, I am sure, I have seen clips online of these women standing up for themselves and each other despite the great personal risk they are taking on in doing so. Their courage is inspiring. I recognise that we live in a world where different countries have different culture…

There is a unity of purpose between my colleagues and I on this very serious issue for Clifden. As has been stated, I certainly got the impression at the meeting that it was a case of death by a thousand cuts. As Senators Kyne and O'Reilly outlined, there is a considerable issue with the increasing population in Clifden and the surrounding areas. We ask the Minister of State for her full support and for an update for the people of Connemara.

The major issue here is referrals. As Senators Kyne and O'Reilly outlined, the issue is that the hospital is not getting the referrals in, which creates uncertainty. The Minister of State alluded to the cost of travelling 80 km on a two-hour journey to Merlin Park. It is not feasible or possible. I ask the Minister of State to do all within her remit to support us on this vital cause.

I will wait another minute.