Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure you it will be a very hard thing to do.

I do not propose to accept the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Mark Daly. I gave a very comprehensive report yesterday on funding to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector. I outlined that the overall budget for the scheme was €8 million and went through the details of the scheme. I said there was an appeals process, of which I am sure the organisations refused funding will avail. No later than last evening, the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Paudie Coffey, stated in the Adjournment debate that he and the line Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, had discussed the issue of funding for community and voluntary organisations and decided that where an organisation was providing assistance for people with medical conditions, the review under way would give it special consideration. There is light at the end of the tunnel in relation to that funding. This issue is connected to matters Senator Feargal Quinn raised in respect of competitiveness and the need to stick within budgets. One of the main issues of concern of the National Competitiveness Council was the need for Ireland to maintain its fiscal probity. Stable and healthy public finances are a prerequisite for growth. The Government must maintain a balance in all of these areas. I am sure the review of the matters referred to by Senator Mark Daly will, as the Minister of State said, bear fruit for the organisations concerned.

Senators Ivana Bacik, Michael Mullins, Kathryn Reilly, Trevor Ó Clochartaigh and others referred to the situation in the Middle East. The deaths of four young children were appalling. There is a temporary ceasefire in place for a number of hours, which is little consolation to everybody involved in Gaza. I hope the international community and the European Union will ensure the ceasefire will become permanent to allow these unfortunate people to get their lives back. There has been a need for many years to settle the issue in the Middle East. The Government and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Charles Flanagan, will do everything possible, in particular, on the humanitarian side, as well as on the political side, to obtain an agreement in the Middle East to deal with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which has been ongoing for far too long. Many innocent people have suffered and lost their lives during the years. I will certainly ask if we can have a Minister come to the House today. There is a motion before the House on tomorrow's business; therefore, it will be out of the question tomorrow. While I will try to have a Minister to attend, Ministers have their diary events for the day and will be otherwise engaged in many instances.

Senators Ivana Bacik and Hildegarde Naughton welcomed the appointment of Judge Yvonne Murphy to the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes. We all wish her well in her deliberations.

Senator Hildegarde Naughton also called for a debate on the interdepartmental report before the summer recess. That will not be possible.

Senator Terry Leyden raised health matters, with particular reference to Roscommon hospital. He should ask the consultants in the hospital whether it is much safer than it was a number of years ago.