Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I take the Leader and the Minister at their word but it is not acceptable and we must lay down a marker.

I ask the Cathaoirleach to indulge me because of the late change to the Order of Business. I have raised the issue of adult mental health services in this country numerous times and have given specific examples in north Dublin. It was recently agreed to seek a debate on the matter. Does the Leader have any update on the scheduling of that debate? It is a serious matter. Resources are not being provided in the sector. I would welcome an opportunity to put forward specific cases to the Minister.

On the protection of life during pregnancy Bill published yesterday evening, as Senator Ned O'Sullivan said yesterday, we all want a respectful and dignified debate that respects all views. The Bill will go to the Joint Committee on Health and Children. I do not agree with the calls yesterday for a debate here while that takes place. The joint committee is the right place for the Bill. I ask the Leader to make sure we have sufficient time to debate the Bill when it comes back from the joint committee.

I do not think it would be appropriate for us to debate it here while a debate is happening in the health committee. However, I ask the Leader to give sufficient time for everyone who wishes to speak on that - and I am sure most people will - when the appropriate time comes.

The Leader kindly gave an answer last week on the online betting tax Bill. Both of us are interested in ensuring it comes into the House quickly. There is a new Bill being prepared. Successive Governments, including this one and the last, have sat on their hands regarding taxing online betting at source. Our independent bookmakers are struggling and going out of business on a weekly basis because of the unlevel playing pitch for multinational online betting companies. Could the Leader impress on the Minister the urgency of that Bill coming to the House?

Could the Leader, in the next couple of weeks, arrange a debate on workers' rights? I ask that in the context of an Adjournment motion I put down yesterday evening on home help workers when the Minister's representative confirmed to me that more than 5,000 home help workers who worked between 2000 and 2008 are entitled to gratuity payments of four and a half weeks per year of service, an average payment of approximately €12,000. It has been confirmed to me that they are owed it and that the Government is in breach of two Labour Court recommendations but has no intention of paying this money. Deputy McGinley kindly said he would bring those views directly to the Minister but it would be an opportunity to debate workers' rights and how the State is treating them. I ask the Leader to schedule that in the coming weeks.