Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What I heard today was disturbing, as I had not heard of it, but from what the Senators have mentioned, I think it is absolutely despicable. Perhaps the forum to get further information on this from the Minister is to raise it on the Adjournment. I think such practices should be carefully examined. I am disappointed that State bodies would be involved in such schemes.

Senator Bacik welcomes the fall in unemployment to 11.8%. This decrease in unemployment is to be welcomed by all. To reiterate what she said, we cannot stop at that. Jobs and the economy have been and will continue to be the first priority of Government. We would not be happy that the rate of unemployment would remain at 11.8%. This is the 21st month in a row that we have seen a fall in the unemployment figures, which is to be welcomed.

In relation to universal health insurance Senator Bacik was joined by Senators Ó Clochartaigh, Mullins, Healy Eames and others in welcoming the White Paper. A White Paper is a discussion document, so the Government is inviting comments on universal health insurance from all sides. I am sure the Joint Committee on Health and Children will debate it at length and I hope we will get an opportunity to debate it in this House. We have public consultation hearings organised for the next month or two, which will take us up to September but we can consider other matters. We are dealing with human rights in the periodic review under public consultation. Those hearings will take place sometime in May.

Senators Quinn, Hayden and Healy Eames raised the fact that only four cases have been successfully resolved by the Insolvency Service of Ireland. The Minister has stated that after this body beds down, and it is bedding down but it has only been in place one year, the Government would review the legislation. I will certainly bring the matter to the attention of the Minister. I think it is his intention that the legislation would be reviewed and amended if necessary.

Senator Quinn proposed an amendment to the Order of Business that No. 9 on the Order Paper would be taken before No. 1. I have no problem acceding to that request.

Senator Keane raised the issue of violence against women and requested that we debate and sign the Istanbul Convention. I will certainly have that examined. Senators MacSharry and Mooney raised matters and the theatrical expertise of Senator MacSharry came to the fore this morning when he raised the proposed closure of railway lines. Some people believe everything they read in the newspaper. When we talk about the closure of railway lines, I can think of the wholesale closure of railway lines back in the 1960s by the then Fianna Fáil Government. Many of these lines were viable at the time, I can give one example in my constituency namely the closure of the line from Waterford to Tramore, which would be a goldmine now.