Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On mental health issues, which the Senator also addressed, we have agreed that the next public consultation will be on this area. Senator O'Brien will be involved in consultation, which will provide an opportunity for the House to discuss mental health.

Senator Bacik and others referred to the budget. All the figures that have been mentioned are no more than speculation at this point, as was noted by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, not later than this morning when he stated no final decisions have been made as yet regarding the budget. We will have to wait until 15 October to discover what will be the precise position.

Senator Fiach Mac Conghail referred to the death of the wonderful poet, Seamus Heaney. I express my sympathy and that of the House to the late Mr. Heaney's wife and family. I certainly could not improve on the contribution made by Senator Mac Conghail. I will allow some time in the coming weeks for statements on the wonderful life of Seamus Heaney.

Senator Hildegarde Naughton referred to traffic management proposals and difficulties in Galway and elsewhere. Such matters have been raised in the House on a number of occasions. While these are, in the first instance, matters for the city and county council, the national aspects of the issue can be debated in the House.

I will certainly contact the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, on the matter.

Senator Norris wondered whether we would debate the Seanad referendum again in the House. We have had a very lengthy debate on it already and we have also had a number of contributions in the House this afternoon. I am sure we will also have more comment on the issue in the coming weeks. I am sure the money spent by parties will be very closely scrutinised by the people responsible for scrutinising moneys spent during election and referendum campaigns.

There have been calls for a debate on Syria. As Senator Norris stated, the Tánaiste and the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, were invited to come to the House. As Senator Norris has stated, the Tánaiste will appear before the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade this afternoon. That debate will take place in the committee and should it prove necessary we can try to get the Tánaiste or the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, to come to the House to discuss the very serious situation in Syria.

Senators Hayden and Landy spoke about NAMA's stock of houses. To date only 397 houses have been transferred for social housing, which is appalling. Far more houses should be transferred given the need for social housing at the moment. Senator Hayden also referred to the capital budget. I hope that item can be addressed in some way in the capital budget.

Senator Cullinane spoke about budget debates. Members, including the Minister for Finance, have received all the pre-budget submissions at this stage. If we can, we will arrange for some Ministers to come to the House to address their budgetary areas. We have a very short time in the run-in to the budget.

Senator Mullins spoke of the remarkable courage of Malala Yousafzai and the example she has given to all, and referred to the importance of education. Senator Walsh also addressed that point. Senator Mullins also spoke about the new SUSI system. We all hope it will work considerably better than it did last year when it had some teething problems. Hopefully they have been sorted and we will have fewer problems this year. I agree with his point about social welfare appeals over carer's allowance and other benefits, which are taking far too long to be addressed. The Minister will be in the House next week to discuss Pathways to Work and I am sure that can be raised with the Minister at that point.

Senators Leyden, Heffernan and Mooney extended their condolences to the family of the former Minister, Michael J. Noonan. I am sure we would all like to express our condolences to the family.

Senator Noone spoke about obesity, calorie counting and lifestyle changes. I am sure she will address that matter when we come to discuss the report of the public consultation committee on lifestyle changes.

I will accept Senator Quinn's amendment to the Order of Business to allow No. 14, which is his Bill on upward-only rent reviews, to be published. I am sure we will be discussing it in the coming weeks.

Senator Gilroy and several other Members called for a debate on the freedom of the press in respect of the recent sacking of a journalist. I certainly will try to have the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, in the Chamber to discuss and have an overall debate on the media and freedom of the press. Senator Walsh called for a debate on the report of the OECD and the troika on unemployment and I certainly will try to arrange that. Senator O'Neill raised the issues of single farm payments, problems with tags on cattle and the difficulties farmers have faced this year. I have requested that the Minister, Deputy Coveney, come into the House to discuss these matters, as well as Common Agricultural Policy reform. While I understand that he will, it will be approximately three to four weeks before he is in a position to do so. Senator Barrett suggested the Referendum Commission may have had some omissions regarding votes for Northern Ireland citizens in particular. I am sure this matter will be raised with the Referendum Commission. The Senator also called for a debate on the reform of the banking system.

Senator Landy raised the issue of a code for voluntary housing. It is a matter he has raised here previously and I note his points in that regard and those in respect of Seanad reform, as well as the comments of the Minister, Deputy Coveney, at a recent conference. Senator Ó Murchú also spoke about the Seanad referendum. I am glad to note the other House intends to deal with European Union directives, as Members here have done and will do this week, and to have more of a say and greater debate on the European Union. The Seanad is ahead of the posse in this regard, as its Members have been doing this over the past 12 months by inviting our MEPs and our Commissioner before them, as well as Professor Pissarides in respect of youth unemployment. Consequently, I am glad the other House intends to adopt the same policy as the Seanad in this regard.