Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Mullins also called for a debate on gun crime, which can be expanded to accommodate a debate on bail and sentencing policy. The Senator also highlighted the loss to the economy arising from smuggling activities related to cigarettes and fuel laundering. I believe it is possible to begin to discern some success in the area of fuel laundering. The Minister introduced some significant measures in the budget before last that are beginning to bear fruit in that area, whereby people are now being caught for fuel laundering. Senator Mooney raised the question of Ireland as part of the Commonwealth and asked whether this would be in Ireland's interest. He suggested the setting up of a working group and I will bring this matter to the Taoiseach's attention. Senator Moloney raised the review of the national parks and their workforce and I certainly will invite the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, to the House to discuss this matter. If he is unable to come into the House within the next month or two, perhaps it could be tabled as an Adjournment motion in the House. I also will get an update for the Senator on the report on living with neurological disease.

Senator Barrett called for a debate on the recently-published report of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas, CEDRA. He also paid tribute to the late Jim Flaherty, the former Canadian finance Minister.

As he rightly pointed out, the Minister, Deputy Noonan, paid glowing tributes to Mr. Flaherty also. He was held in high esteem not only in his own country but particularly in this country where he has many connections in Galway.

Senators Comiskey, Cullinane and Walsh raised the issues of wind energy and pylons. In regard to pylons, I believe we would all agree that the country needs to have access to the best infrastructure and services at competitive prices but we also want to ensure that all the people get the best routes and technology when delivering on this essential infrastructure. For this reason the Government has established an expert panel, chaired by the retired Supreme Court judge, Mrs. Justice Catherine McGuinness, to oversee the preparation of reports on the best underground route options for high voltage power lines currently being designed. The expert panel will decide the terms of reference for comprehensive route specific studies of fully undergrounded options for both Grid Link and Grid West. The panel will be required to ensure that the studies are complete, objective and comparable to similar studies of overhead options for the two projects and will report to Government. Both the overhead and underground options will be published side by side in objective and comparable terms before proceeding to the next stage of public consultation. That is the situation in regard to the issue of pylons.

Likewise, in regard to wind energy, as the Senators will be aware, discussion took place between the UK Government and the Irish Government to unblock the current impasse and the exploration of possible new architecture is required for an intergovernmental agreement on the export of renewable electricity and how it would benefit both jurisdictions. Following further discussions between the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Department of Energy and Climate Change in the UK, since the London summit was held it is clear, given the economic policy and regulatory complexities involved and the key decisions yet to be taken by the UK Government, that delivery by 2020 of a midlands wind export project is not now a realistic proposition.

Senator Moran raised the question of the provision of mental health services for children and adolescents. It is one of approximately 15 items we have requested the Minister for Health to come here to debate. I will certainly raise the matter again with the Minister.

Senator O'Sullivan raised the matter of the forthcoming AGM of Aer Lingus and suggested that the Minister for Finance would use his veto in regard to bonus payments being made to senior staff members of the company. The Minister is well aware of this matter and I am sure he will give great consideration to it.

Senators Colm Burke and Walsh raised the issue of the problems facing the self-employed in terms of claiming maternity benefit and called for clarification on that matter. I am sure the Minister would be willing to discuss that matter with Senator Colm Burke. He raised this issue in an Adjournment debate last week and I am sure the Minister would be quite willing to discuss the matter with him and give him further clarification if necessary.

Senator Healy Eames raised the question of Rwanda, which was also raised last week. She also raised the issue of debt and repossessions.

Senator Whelan questioned the role of the EPA and called for a debate on its functions and role. I will certainly bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and hopefully we can have a debate on that matter.

Senator Conway referred to 18% of being people being treated on trolleys in Limerick Regional Hospital.

This is a very serious matter because it is at variance with the figures in many other hospitals for patients on trolleys. I am sure the Minister will be very concerned about the matter and take action on it.

Senator Marc MacSharry referred to unemployment in the north west and called for a strategic response in the region. I agree with him that it has the highest unemployment rate in the country, just ahead of that for the south east. The BMW region has suffered much in the past few years and I agree with the Senator that there is a need for a strategic response, as well as responses from IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, in the region.

Senator Aideen Hayden praised the action taken by Dublin City Council against landlords providing substandard accommodation, with which we all agree. She also called for a debate on the issue of rent supplement. I think I mentioned last week that the Minister said the date for the debate on the issue was 28 May.