Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Darragh O'Brien spoke about the inability of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, to attend the House. The Minister tendered his apology. I hope the Minister will come here on Thursday next and that he will discuss the fodder crisis then but I do not have confirmation of that. If we do amend the Order of Business I am willing to accept that we can discuss it today without a Minister if that will suffice. It would be better to have the Minister here next Thursday but I am willing to co-operate with the House on that matter. I will amend the Order of Business if Senators want to hold that debate now but there will be no Minister here. I am amenable to the wishes of the House. It does not often happen that Ministers cry off at short notice especially in respect of legislation but it has happened and the Minister apologises.

I take on board Senator Darragh O'Brien's comments on the protection of life during pregnancy Bill. It will go to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children and will come back to both Houses after those hearings. I assured the House yesterday that there will be full and ample time afforded to any Member who wishes to speak on that Bill on all Stages. We will provide ample time and anybody who wishes to speak will be afforded the time to speak. The majority of Members believe that is the time when we should discuss this Bill and that we should leave the heads of the Bill to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children. Senator Mullen disagrees and I understand his feelings on that matter but that is what we intend doing on that Bill.

Senator O'Brien also raised the question of the Betting (Amendment) Bill and online betting. I support his sentiments and will endeavour to find out when that Bill will come to the House. I understand that the Department of Finance is framing it. There had been a link between the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Justice, Equality and Defence, and Finance. All three were involved in it. I hope that will be in the House in the autumn session if not before.

Senator Bacik welcomed the 1,600 jobs for Glanbia, as did Senator Landy and other Members. It is a significant boost to rural communities, especially in the south east. They also welcomed the 100 jobs announced in the ICT sector today in Dublin. All of these announcements are to be welcomed. They show that the action plan for jobs is working and bearing fruit.

Senator Norris and several other Members have commented on the protection of life during pregnancy Bill. We should reserve our comments until we come to discuss the Bill. I do not intend to comment on what Members have said about it.

Senator Mulcahy also welcomed the Glanbia jobs announcement and asked that the Minister, Deputy Bruton, be invited to the House to give an overview of the project. Senator O'Donovan raised the fodder crisis. Yesterday, I announced that a helpline had been set up by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the number of which is 1850 211 990. As stated by the Department no animal should die and it will pay for fodder to be brought to people in crisis. Senator Comiskey outlined the measures put in place by the co-ops, banks, IFA and all others involved. It is up to the Opposition to decide whether it wishes to have that debate today without a Minister or next Thursday with a Minister.

Senator Hayden raised the issue of split mortgages and insolvency procedures. I am sure we will have a further debate on that issue. While the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, will be in the House soon to deal with housing legislation, I am not sure if the Senator's concerns can be addressed in that context. I will try to arrange a debate on the matter.

Senators Cullinane and O'Sullivan asked that particular persons be invited to address this House as a commemoration of the 1913 Lock-out. That matter is on the agenda of the next meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. The Senators also called for a further debate on Harvest 2020.

Senator Keane spoke about the promotions in particular ranks in An Garda Síochána announced yesterday by the Minister, Deputy Shatter, and called, like Senator O'Sullivan, for Garda pay to be addressed by an independent commission.

Senator Leyden seconded the amendment in relation to the debate on the fodder crisis, which issue he also raised yesterday. Senator Landy and several others referred to the announcement by the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, that the sale of harvesting rights will probably not proceed at this point in time. Senator Landy also welcomed the briefing on the Waterford Crystal workers' situation in the AV room at 2 p.m. today and the jobs announced by Glanbia.

Senators Ó Murchú, Coghlan and Mullen asked about the protection of life during pregnancy Bill 2013. We will deal with the matters raised by the Senators when the Bill comes before the House.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh asked about the Leader programme. I do not agree with him that the Leader programme is in disarray. I understand significant funding was announced in some areas only last week. I am sure that the Minister, Deputy Hogan, would be willing to come to the House to update Senators on the matter.

Senator White raised the issue of the Good Friday Agreement. I can assure the Senator that there is no disengagement whatsoever in this regard on behalf of the Irish Government. On the Narrow Water Bridge, which was also raised in the House on many occasions by Senators D'Arcy and Brennan, I am confident that the finance to allow that project to proceed will be made available.