Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re arrangements for the address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Margareta Wahlström, UN Special Representative of the Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction and head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, on 29 May 2013, to be taken without debate on the conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, motion re arrangements for the address to Seanad Éireann by Paul Murphy, MEP, on 30 May 2013, to be taken without debate on the conclusion No. 1; No. 3, Criminal Justice Bill 2013 - Second Stage, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 2 and to adjourn no later than 5.15 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes; No. 4, Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) (Amendment) Bill 2013 - Report Stage, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 3 and to adjourn no later than 5.45 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 5, Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013 - All Stages, to be taken at 5.45 p.m.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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We broadly support the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013. I note the precedent last week whereby all Stages of a Bill were ordered. I ask why this Bill is being considered in all Stages. More important, I note that on Thursday the Leader proposes taking all Stages of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill. He is proposing to deal with all Stages of two Bills in one week. We will oppose the Order of Business on this basis and not because we are opposed to the Bill. The precedent and the practice of putting Bills through the House in all Stages is not good. In advance of Thursday, I ask the Leader to consider scheduling that very important Bill differently in order to allow time between Stages to facilitate the tabling of amendments.

On a number of occasions I have raised with the Leader the state of adult mental health services in this country and he has been kind enough to be positive in his replies. These services are in crisis. I welcomed the Leader's announcement last week of a debate and his suggestion that a public consultation could be carried out on the subject of adult mental health services. The Seanad could be used very well in that regard. I wish to highlight an example of what is happening in the mental health services today as we sit here. A doctor on the north side of Dublin referred a patient with mental health issues who required psychiatric attention to Beaumont Hospital. The doctor received a letter from the hospital which states, "With reference to your referral for the above gentleman, please be advised that it would be more suitable for this gentleman to attend his local community mental health team." That is fine and I have no issue with that. However, when he was referred to the community team, a standard letter came back to the GP referring to the patient who is in urgent need of psychiatric care and attention: "I wish to acknowledge receipt of primary care psychology referral for the following client. Due to the moratorium on staff recruitment in Dublin north east, we are regrettably unable to accept the above referral or any further primary care psychology referrals until further notice." I ask if we are really serious about tackling this issue. I have raised the situation in the north east of Dublin where one of the main adult mental health community teams servicing 78,000 people does not even have the proper physical infrastructure and cannot even accommodate its own team. No advice or notice was given to clients that the centres were being moved. I have raised this matter consistently. This is one example of many and no one would agree that this is an acceptable type of care. The HSE is saying to the GP, "Sorry, we cannot help your client due to the moratorium, full stop. Now go away and leave us alone."

That is not the way we should treat people. If we are serious about mental health issues and tackling the plague of suicide, that is not the way people should be dealt with. I know the Leader would agree with me on this and I ask him, on the basis of this example and the many others I could give, that we urgently ask the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to come to the House for a debate and follow it with public consultation in which Senators could engage with the experts in these areas. The Seanad could do a very good job in that regard.

Aideen Hayden (Labour)
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I remind the House that today is the last day for filing property tax returns online. I note that up to now 1.35 million people have filed returns.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Were they happy filing them?

Aideen Hayden (Labour)
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Will the Leader ask the Minister for Finance to grant an extra couple of days because older people are finding it somewhat difficult to deal with the returns? I believe that in time this tax will be seen as one of the most progressive introduced by a Government and will bring genuine accountability at local authority level.

Aideen Hayden (Labour)
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More importantly, it will put money in the pockets of local authorities.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Do you have a question for the Leader?

Aideen Hayden (Labour)
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I wish-----

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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We will see in 2014 how happy people are with this property tax.

Aideen Hayden (Labour)
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-----we had been able to bring this in before the Opposition had destroyed the economy when it could have been used to replace central taxation.

Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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We destroyed Portugal and the US too.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator Hayden, without interruption.

Aideen Hayden (Labour)
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On a positive note, I notice that residential property transactions were up by 14% in the first quarter of 2013. As the Leader knows, I have a particular interest in housing. What is interesting is that the number of loans issued fell by 19% and that the market is effectively being taken over by cash buyers at a cost to first-time house buyers. We are also seeing rents rise. What we are seeing - dare I say it - is a repeat of what happened in the middle of the 1990s. Will the Leader arrange for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to come to the House for a discussion on the issue of the potential crisis in housing?

I raise the issue of the National Maternity Hospital and its recently announced relocation to the St. Vincent's Hospital campus. This is in line with international best practice in the area of maternal care and it was raised a number of times at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children hearings on the heads of the protection of life during pregnancy Bill 2013. I would like to bring a salient point to the Leader's attention. The entire cost of this move will be in the region of €150 million. As there are 10,000 births per year in the hospital, in one year, it equates to €15,000 for each child born, in ten years, €1,500 and in 20 years, €700. That is excluding all the other procedures which will take place in this maternity hospital. It beggars belief that those opposite allowed this situation to continue for more than 20 years.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator is in great form today.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Are you looking for a debate?

Aideen Hayden (Labour)
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I am. Will the Leader request that the Minister for Health come to the House to set out his plan to improve maternal care services?

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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When is free GP care coming in?

Katherine Zappone (Independent)
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I will try to follow that.

I have a question for the Leader on reform but not Seanad reform, as I have made my views very clear on that, or Dáil reform, although we await to hear what the Government is up to in that regard. No doubt we will have a long debate to see whether the people will be promised sufficient Dáil reform to ensure proper governance of the country, including an adequate dispersal of power from the Executive. My question is about taxation reform. I know colleagues are aware of the series of events that have brought the issue of tax avoidance, reform of global tax structure and Ireland's place within it back into the news. Ireland's name has been thrust into the debate on tax avoidance at the G8, with our tax arrangements being singled out by US and UK legislators.

There is massive public confusion on this issue, in particular since the US Senate sub-committee hearings on Apple's tax practices. It testified that it claimed a special deal with us, which the Government rebutted. The video-conferencing over the Atlantic Ocean still has not cleared up these issues. One of my primary concerns, although not my sole concern, relates to the double Irish structure which allows a multinational to incorporate a company here but to ensure its tax residence is elsewhere. That is as clear as I can be in that regard. Is this a shadowy facilitation of tax avoidance for multinationals by Ireland?

Are we investment friendly with our claimed corporate tax rate of 12.5% or are we a tax haven? Will the Government disband the double-Irish tax structure soon, as some of the Sunday newspapers have claimed? We need to know the answers to these questions. We need a public debate that outlines clearly what is going on. I am coming to my question. It is clear from the UK, the USA and Australia that momentum is building for some kind of reform of global tax arrangements. The British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, MP, has pledged to put this reform on the G8 schedule. There will be an action plan presented at the G8 summit mapping out a path to closing loopholes and combating large-scale tax avoidance. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation or the Minister for Finance to come to the House prior to the G8 summit in mid-June to debate with us and clarify how Ireland will respond?

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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This is something of a valedictory address from me at the start of the Seanad week.

John Gilroy (Labour)
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Nothing unusual.

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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It might be a case of being forgotten but not gone because Senator Norris will take over as group leader from 1 June for two years. Given that the Constitution prescribes that the Dáil could sit for up to seven years after a general election, I have not given up hope of a return. However, I wish Senator Norris well over the next two years.

Perhaps the Leader would agree with me that the question with regard to the Minister, Deputy Shatter, would appear to be as follows. Who waved whom on - who did the waving? Did the garda wave him on or did he wave the garda on?

John Gilroy (Labour)
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The Senator is making this up.

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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The details of the latest claims are sketchy and it appears to be one person's word against the other's. There is the possibility of arrogance sometimes among elected representatives and I would be very concerned if that led to arrogance when people got into power.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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I was going to say I used to be arrogant but now I am perfect. The issue remains what happened to Deputy Wallace. I continue to find it very troubling that a casual caution, so to speak, found its way up through the ranks of the Garda Síochána and the Garda Commissioner sought to make that comment - whether it be tittle-tattle or otherwise - to the Minister for Justice and Equality and that the Minister for Justice and Equality had the appalling judgment then to use it in a public debate. Being Minister for Justice and Equality is one of those sensitive Ministries that calls for-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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----- extra responsibility on the part of-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Is the Senator looking for a debate on the issue?

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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I would be very happy to have a debate on the issue. Does the Leader believe it might be appropriate for the Minister, Deputy Shatter, to say just a little bit more -----

John Gilroy (Labour)
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Or the Senator could say a little bit less.

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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-----because what seems to have gone on is unacceptable regardless of how it is sliced and diced? The Garda Commissioner and the Minister need to make fuller apologies over what happened with Deputy Wallace.

I take this opportunity to pay tribute to Deputy Keaveney, the chairman of the Labour Party for having the courage and independence of mind to make his position on the Government's proposed abortion legislation very clear. I pay tribute to Deputy Buttimer for the way he chaired the hearings of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children last week.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Is the Senator seeking a debate on the issue?

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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In fact I am because I have been calling for a debate on this legislation. This is my first opportunity to reflect on what happened at those committee hearings.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The Senator is over time.

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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I conclude by saying that it was chaired very well, but it was extremely disappointing that we did not, as I predicted, have the opportunity to interrogate the issues in the way that was needed. I was very disappointed that the Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children saw fit to take a very partial approach in his radio interviews,-----

John Gilroy (Labour)
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That is ridiculous.

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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----- name checking only supporters of this controversial legislation-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The Senator is way over time.

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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-----which, when one examines it, is really quite sick in many respects.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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That is not a point of order.

Colm Burke (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for Health for his announcement yesterday of a proposed €150 million investment for the new maternity hospital. Last week in the course of the hearings over the three days contributors raised the lack of support that had been given to the maternity services in recent years and the need for further investment in that area.

I very much welcome the Minister's decision to react and respond to the issue. It is time for a debate, as was referred to last week. We have announced a €150 million investment and it is time to examine the overall picture of maternity services across the country. A more planned, rather than piecemeal, approach should be taken. I look forward to debating the issue and the Minister outlining the five year, ten year and 15 year plan for maternity services. That would be a welcome debate to have in the House.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I raise a matter that is not as important as I would like it to be in this House or the other Chamber, namely, the position in the fishing industry. What surprises me most is that, despite a number of demands made by well organised fishing industry organisations from County Donegal to County Cork, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, has refused to meet them in recent months. That is worrying in view of what happens during CAP negotiations when the Minister rightly keeps the farming organisations in the loop. When he goes to the European Union, they are side by side and wear the green jersey. In this instance, however, officials from the Department are in Brussels negotiating a Common Fisheries Policy, CFP, and the Irish fishermen's organisations have been kept out of the loop. It is mind-boggling. They include the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation which is Munster-based, the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, the Irish Fish Producers Organisation and the umbrella group, the Federation of Irish Fishermen, FIF. It has come to my notice in the past few days that, despite a number of requests, none of the organisations has been met. It is critically important that the Minister, in a combined effort while the future of the fishing industry is being decided in the Common Fisheries Policy negotiations in the European Union which dictates the amount of fish to be caught and the living fishermen will earn in the next decade, meet these groups as a matter of urgency. I do not like to do this willy-nilly, but it is a serious issue because beleaguered fishermen have their backs to the wall. They are barely eking out a living and are being over-policed by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority under the regulations and laws introduced by a previous Government, in which I was involved, to which I must confess. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister come to the House as a matter of urgency to tell us why he is not meeting the fishermen's organisations to ensure he will take their views on board when negotiating in Brussels. It is unfair that he is working on behalf of fishermen with one hand tied behind his back and ignoring the fishermen's organisations and treating them as second-class citizens. It is very unfair and not good enough.

Marie Moloney (Labour)
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I welcome the announcement of the relocation and upgrading of the National Maternity Hospital. On a number of occasions I have asked for a question and answer session with the Minister for Health. We would like to raise a number of issues and the opportunity never arises when dealing with legislation. As Senator Aideen Hayden pointed out, today is the closing date for registration for local property tax. I would like the Minister for Health to agree to allow property tax as an expense when assessing eligibility for a medical card. I would like him to come to the House and provide us with the detail on the number of applicants under the three year leave of absence scheme in the health service, tell us if all applicants will be facilitated and whether there will be cover for the people concerned during their leave of absence. I would appreciate it if the Leader asked the Minister to come to the House for a question and answer session.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Does Senator Norris have a question for the Leader?

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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That is a matter for an Adjournment debate.

Jimmy Harte (Labour)
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In the context of Senator Hayden's contribution regarding the deadline for the property tax, I heard a councillor this morning on the "Today with Pat Kenny" programme say that there is an elite in this country who do not pay tax and who are very well off. They are the people who own houses worth anywhere between €2 million and €4 million whom she claims to be protecting. Such people can well afford it but are dodging the tax because they can hide assets in various ways. We need a culture in this country where people who are well off pay their taxes. Those same people are being protected by those who are claiming to be protecting working class people. The anti-household charge campaigners are looking after the wealthy in the country because it is they who have their wealth in their properties. It is bizarre for someone to be a member of the Socialist Party in Ireland but to be against a property tax for houses that are worth millions of euro.

I ask the Leader to arrange for a debate on the passport service. Members of this and the other House will undoubtedly receive phone calls over the summer from people whose passports are out of date. I suggest that we discuss a more efficient way to issue passports. We get renewal reminders from the motor tax office a month before our motor tax is due. Indeed, if one pays one's motor tax four times per year, one gets four reminders. I do not see why we cannot put a similar reminder system in place for passports, particularly as passports are generally only renewed once every five or ten years.

We should also look at the possibility of staggering passport renewals. If my passport is out of date in July, that is probably because I went on holidays in July. It will be due to be renewed in July, as is the case with an enormous number of passports. If some July renewals could be pushed back to November, for example, it would allow the passport service to spread renewals more evenly throughout the year. At present, the bulk of renewals are in the summer, in January and at Easter. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the passport service.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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I again call for a debate in the House on taxation. We will have a budget in October this year and it would be welcome and worthwhile for this House to have a full debate on taxation in all its facets.

The issue of corporation tax has been raised on a number of occasions in the House over the past number of weeks. It would be good for us to debate the overall taxation system, including corporate taxes, indirect taxes such as the property tax and proposals for fair and progressive taxation.

I will avoid responding directly to Senator Hayden's enthusiastic welcome for the progressive property tax. The reality is many families will not give the tax an enthusiastic welcome because they are genuinely struggling. Whatever about the cut and thrust of politics in the House, families arrive into our clinics every week who find it hard to pay the mortgage and bills and to purchase groceries, food and clothes for their children. They do not have the money to pay more taxes. They have found that the Government has brought forward draconian mechanisms to take money from them and even if they do not or cannot pay, it will be taken from their wages, social welfare payments, bank accounts or through whatever other means the Government can take it. I want a debate on progressive taxation. While the Labour Party might give an enthusiastic welcome to a property tax that is not linked to ability to pay and through which not one more cent will be delivered to a local authority in additional funding-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Has the Senator a question for the Leader?

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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Would the Leader welcome a debate on progressive taxation with higher taxes for those who earn high incomes, wealth taxes and the need to deal with the legacy of tax shelters and tax breaks in place both for multinationals and individuals in this State? Let us have a holistic debate on taxation in the lead up to the budget in October.

Michael D'Arcy (Fine Gael)
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I would also like to raise a matter relating to property taxes. On 1 July, the Revenue Commissioners will take over the collection of the non-principal private residence tax and arrears relating to it. The previous Government introduced this tax a number of years ago. Initially it was €100 and it was then doubled to €200 annually. If people have not taken the opportunity to pay this, the amount owed, including arrears, is approximately €3,500. On 1 July, the Revenue will have the authority to take that money from their bank accounts, pay and social welfare payments. These people have the opportunity over the next four and a half weeks to arrange a payments schedule with their local authority that meets their requirement to pay this tax. Unlike my Sinn Féin colleagues, I believe all taxes should be paid and not just some.

Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)
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I support Senator Hayden's comments on the issue of the Irish Bankers Federation announcement earlier that there has been a 14% increase in property transactions. I share her concerns that this should be interpreted as a boost to the property market. Those who are sufficiently well heeled are making cash purchases and hoovering up property. With the exception of the Dublin area, people can buy property around the country at 80% less than the cost of building it.

The IBF's press release adopted a celebratory tone about mortgage approvals. I have personal experience of approvals being issued for, say, €100,000 and then being revised downwards before draw down. The banks say they are sorry but considering the impact of the recent budget or fall in market prices or some other excuse, they are only prepared to lend €80,000. The figures for draw down compared with those for approvals are much different and the reality is banks are manipulating the figures. They appear before Oireachtas committees and issue press releases to say how much they have approved or loaned but that the money was not drawn down. If somebody wants €10,000 to buy a car and the banks are only prepared to give him €7,000, the loan will not be drawn down. We need to continually hold the banks to account on this issue.

I agree wholeheartedly with Senator Norris regarding the recently formed Democracy Matters group.

The media coverage of it yesterday was certainly consistent with the Government's policy to ensure the Seanad's abolition. I refer specifically to the comment that it is a wonder that Senators have not reformed themselves. I actually called the show in question, not to go on air but to inform the researchers that if they took the time to consider the 12 reports into Seanad reform and determine who contributed most to them, they would note it was the Senators who did so. All I have known are not just enthusiasts of reform but proposers of radical reform. The systemic plan, involving the Government, the Civil Service and the media, to manipulate a scenario that ensures we do not just play the man in political terms but also express determination to dig up the pitch, as it were, does not serve democracy well. The media, if they are interested in covering this House, would do well to do so consistently and inform themselves of what does take place and of the views of the Senators, current and former, rather than pontificate according to populist demands to the listeners of a particular radio show.

John Kelly (Labour)
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Unfortunately, I did not get to contribute when there was a delegation in the Visitors' Gallery, perhaps ten minutes ago, from a place called Downey in California. The delegation is present for the twinning mission involving my county, Roscommon. I extend a warm welcome to the delegates.

With regard to the non-delivery of a service by the HSE to somebody who is critically in need of it, as referred to by Senator O'Brien, it is scandalous that a moratorium on recruitment can deprive someone of a health service that is needed. Some months ago, a delegation from the psychiatric services in Roscommon was present to meet the Minister regarding various issues. It is quite obvious that they are stretched to the limit. The Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, is ready to announce an investment in the psychiatric services. When the money is invested, it will be important to see issues such as that raised by Senator O'Brien dealt with. It should not be a case of spin on the part of the HSE to the effect that the money has been invested. I have seen such spin before. Prior to the last budget, we were told the number of home help hours would be returned to the level that obtained before the cuts of 2012. It appears this has not happened. I raised this in the House last week and sought an Adjournment debate for today. I now seek one for tomorrow and hope the Cathaoirleach will allow it.

Sean Barrett (Independent)
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I thank the Leader for having Minister of State Deputy Brian Hayes in the House last week to deal with the issue of illegal washing of diesel. There was a very good debate and it included the Louth Senators. Senators D'Arcy, Brennan and Moran participated. At the end of the debate, the Minister of State said the new dye was really the last attempt as part of the new procedures to address the illegality. In the meantime, we have had the invasion of the Frank Aiken Army barracks in Dundalk and the hijacking of a vehicle. It is now time for the Minister of State to find an alternative way of subsidising agriculture, as he was hinting last week. The events to which I refer involve criminality of such a high level that it places the security of the State and Army barracks at risk. It is unacceptable that it should continue.

Let me refer to the proposal attributed to the Taoiseach in today's newspaper that the Seanad is to be replaced by "a high-powered Dáil committee", "a mini-Seanad with outside experts", and a "legislative committee". This has been suggested to him by a "well-known public servant". The idea is being kicked around. We are to put a new structure in place to effectively replace the Seanad. The structure is to be modelled on the fiscal council. In March, we proposed in this House an amendment to the Finance Act so the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council might advise us. In reply, the Minister said:

As for the suggestion that the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council would carry out an assessment of the tax credit, such an assessment would significantly expand the mandate of the fiscal council. It would require a much larger resource in terms of both staff and budgetary allocation. It would be likely to impede the fulfilment of its core functions. I am reluctant to move in that direction also.

Therefore, a body that was unfit to advise it two months ago will now take over the functions of the Seanad. We need to impress on the Government the work we do here. The experts are in this House and they are elected. The fact that debates are ignored in the media does not mean they are not important. Much of the article would not have been written if the debate on the Finance Act had been listened to by anyone in the media. We are performing our task, regardless of whether the media like it. However, the Taoiseach should be aware of the very important decision made by the Supreme Court on 9 May in which it stated: "There can be little doubt therefore that Part III of the 1946 [Industrial Relations] Act raises serious issues ... What appears to be law is being made by persons other than the Oireachtas". No new committee proposed by the Taoiseach can usurp the functions of the Oireachtas.

Lorraine Higgins (Labour)
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I express my serious concern at the news that a senior official in the National Asset Management Agency, NAMA, who was responsible for managing some of the most indebted borrowers with the banks in this country has taken up a new job with a London based property investment firm just weeks after leaving his position with the agency. To have a senior NAMA official taking a position in a private property company raises serious questions about the judgment of the board of NAMA in allowing this to happen. It is clear that the individual in question would have had access to all property and loan values during his tenure with the agency and that he will be in a position to provide this information for a specific property company in the United Kingdom, in which he is now a partner. Mr. Paul Hennigan, in his position as a senior official in NAMA-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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We do not name people in the House who are not here to defend themselves.

Lorraine Higgins (Labour)
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This is a matter that was reported in a Sunday newspaper; therefore, it is very much in the public-----

Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)
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It is in the public interest.

Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)
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It has been reported in the media.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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That does not make a difference. They are not here to defend themselves and I ask Senator Lorraine Higgins to refrain from naming people in the House.

Lorraine Higgins (Labour)
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People are familiar with the individual in question. However, the point is that he was-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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There is privilege attached to the Chamber which makes it different. I ask the Senator to refrain from mentioning people in the House.

Lorraine Higgins (Labour)
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I will, a Chathaoirligh, and apologise for doing so. The individual in question will have had access to commercially sensitive information which could potentially benefit him to the detriment of the taxpayer in his new role in the business in which he is a partner. We must do something about this. It is outrageous that there is still an inside track culture in Ireland. We must call on the Minister for Finance to investigate this latest scandal in financial services. I also call on the NAMA board to immediately review all existing employment contracts with its employees, particularly senior officials, to ensure there is a bar on them taking up employment in private property or investment companies for a two year period. That is the least the taxpayer deserves after all these builders were bailed out by the banks and the bad loans have ended up in NAMA. It is a disgrace that this has happened and we must do something about it.

Marie Moloney (Labour)
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Well said.

Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)
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The debate on the future of the House is coming along quite nicely. Senator Sean D. Barrett has stolen a great deal of my thunder, but I commend the group which is essentially a disinterested one and which has the future of democracy at heart. I also commend Senators Katherine Zappone and Feargal Quinn for the motion that received the full support of the House and sparked off the debate.

It has been said that there is a democratic deficit in the Seanad. We all regret the fact that the election of Members of the Seanad does not involve universal suffrage. However, it is not the fault of the Seanad that this has continued and it is worth reflecting on this. To be elected from the university panel one must secure a quota that is in the thousands. Being elected by county councillors, as I was, is very difficult and testing. One is dealing with an electorate that is highly sophisticated and comprises elected men and women, each of whom represents an average of 2,000 citizens. If there is a democratic deficit in that regard, how I wept when I saw what the Taoiseach was proposing, which Senator Sean D. Barrett has so eloquently described. Instead of a Seanad, there will be a group of people appointed by the Taoiseach of the day. In the past most Taoisigh were quite happy to appoint 11 Senators. It appears that the Taoiseach wishes to appoint his own Seanad, lock, stock and barrel, which would review and oversee the work of the Dáil.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Is the Senator seeking a debate on the issue?

Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)
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I am; I also seek a debate on the cost of the proposal. There has been talk about the cost of running the Seanad, but this agency would, apparently, have a full secretariat and backup. Where would be the saving in this proposal? It beggars belief that the Taoiseach thinks he can appoint his own bureau to replace what is, with all its faults, a democratically elected institution.

I call for a debate on that. The Taoiseach needs to reflect very seriously on what he is doing to democracy in this country.

Mary Moran (Labour)
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I have always respected both sides of the argument in the forthcoming Bill on legislation for the X case, namely, the protection of life during pregnancy Bill 2013. I have listened very carefully to and have attended briefings from those on both sides of the House. I have thought long and hard about it.

As a practising Catholic and resident organist in my local church on Sundays, I was shocked and disappointed by what happened recently. I understand for the next six weeks pro-life people will be given the opportunity to speak from the pulpit. We have had calls from religious people to keep politics out of religion. I ask that this debate be fair and equal. Leaflets were handed out at mass last Sunday, which stated right now our Government proposes dangerous and unjust abortion legislation. That is an untrue statement. If people are being given the opportunity to stand up and give one side of the argument, I propose that the other side be given equal time.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Do you have a question for the Leader?

Mary Moran (Labour)
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I say this as somebody who has supported life and listened to both sides of the debate.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Do you have a question for the Leader? There have been hearings on the matter and Bill has yet to be published.

Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator should talk to the parish priest.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator Moran, without interruption.

Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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We will have a debate on this.

Mary Moran (Labour)
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I am asking that when the debate-----

Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)
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Does the Senator want to silence the church?

Mary Moran (Labour)
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I do not want to silence the church.

Mary Moran (Labour)
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I ask that the church give both sides-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator, do you have a question for the Leader?

Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)
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In other words, be quiet.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator, through the Chair. Do you have a question for the Leader?

Mary Moran (Labour)
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I ask that the debate be fair and equal. The Primate of All Ireland has said the life of the child is sacrosanct, with which I agree.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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You are way over time.

Mary Moran (Labour)
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Yet, at the same time that same person can be present in a room where a child was abused, that was known and nothing was done about it. The abuse was not reported. I ask that both sides be given equal opportunity and time to speak on the matter.

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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On a point of order, I do not believe the Senator intended to say what she did, but she should retract it. What she said is absolutely incorrect and is defamatory.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I did not hear what she said. Resume your seat.

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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It will be on the record. I do not think she intended to say it.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I call on Senator Quinn.

Feargal Quinn (Independent)
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I ask the Leader to consider having a debate on the skills shortage in Ireland. Today the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation was visited by FIT, the fast-track for skills in high-tech businesses organisation, which made a presentation on creating a better Ireland by competing with skills. It was interesting to note the problems we have created for ourselves.

There are 4,500 job vacancies in Ireland, yet 400,0000 people are unemployed. The reason for that is that we have not educated our people well enough in the skills that are now needed. It seems farcical and is something we should debate in the House. The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, will come before the House tomorrow for a different debate, which is not the occasion for such a debate. It would be a worthy debate to have. There is an item in a newspaper today about an Irish company set up by an Irish man which employs, I understand, 40 people. It has moved to Poland because the owner could not get the necessary skills in Ireland for his high-tech business.

Surely this should not be allowed to happen. The presentation to the joint committee points out that the problem is arising within the education system, usually at second level. We should be able to do something about it. The matter is worthy of debate in this House in the very near future.

Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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I reiterate my call made last week for a discussion with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of the situation in Syria, particularly in the light of the failure of European Union Foreign Ministers to agree a unanimous position on the supply of arms to rebels in that country. There will be a window of opportunity in the coming months to address the situation. In this regard, I urge support for the United States Secretary of State, Senator John Kerry, in his attempts to bring about peace talks. This House must support the Tánaiste as he reiterates the position of this country and the European Union on the conflict in Syria. Our debate with the Tánaiste should include a discussion of the report published today by Amnesty International, The State of the World's Human Rights, which shows that 42 million people worldwide have been forcefully displaced by conflict and persecution, of whom 5.5 million are Syrians. There is a major human rights crisis throughout the world which this House should debate as a matter of urgency.

I welcome the announcement today of impressive tourism figures for the first quarter of the year. I support the call made by the Restaurants Association of Ireland for the maintenance of the 9% VAT rate for restaurants and other key sectors of the tourism industry. This particular taxation measure is very productive and having the desired effect in creating additional jobs. I call on the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, to ensure it is retained in the forthcoming budget.

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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Ba mhaith liom i dtús báire comhghairdeas a dhéanamh le gach duine a bhfuil baint acu le Seachtain Bróid an Lucht Siúil. Having attended a celebration yesterday in Galway to mark the beginning of Traveller Pride Week I congratulate everybody involved in this great celebration of culture, story, song and history. It would be useful to have a debate in the House on multiculturalism in Ireland today. We have an increasingly diverse society of people from different backgrounds, including the Traveller community.

I was taken aback by Senator Aideen Hayden's comments on the property tax. Members may not be aware that a farmer in Ballinasloe is facing eviction from his farm because a sub-prime lender in the United States is putting on the pressure. It is appalling and I call on the relevant Minister to intervene to keep this farmer on his land.

Also in Galway, four turf cutters are in court today to answer charges which arose last year. A number of similar cases are pending, but no clarity whatsoever has been provided for turf cutters as to where they stand in terms of their capacity to cut turf this year. During a visit to the European Commission a number of months ago I was assured by the Deputy Director General for the Environment, Mr. Alan Seatter, that the solution to this issue would have to take cognisance of the proposals made by the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association. I have spoken to representatives of that association on a regular basis and they tell me that absolutely no meaningful consultation has taken place between them and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The turf-cutting season is upon us and would have started much sooner if the weather had been better. We are heading into a major conflict on this issue. The Minister must come into the House for a full debate on the future of turf cutting in Ireland.

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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I am struck by a report in today's Irish Independent detailing an industry finding that information technology graduates emerging from our third level institutions are not entirely fit for purpose. Employers found that their education was too theory based, did not include sufficient practical experience and that some of the computer languages they were learning were out of date. The colleges must take note of these findings. As Senator Feargal Quinn observed, we must have the right skills base for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

I understand a Cabinet decision is imminent on the restructuring of third level institutions.

I expect that they will be restructured along lines of excellence because, unless we have specialist, up-to-date colleges with the right staff, etc., we are not in the real world today. I call on the Leader to find out for us when that decision will be made and when the report will be available, because we need to debate it here. I hope that will happen this side of the summer.

I wish to make one final point and I beg the indulgence of the Cathaoirleach. It is very important, on the issue of abortion and the right to life, that freedom of expression is facilitated on both sides, including religious expression. I believe we have gone so far but we are not in a healthy place religion-wise in this country. We know the church, particularly the Catholic Church, has a great deal to make amends for.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Are you looking for a debate on this issue?

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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I am making a point and then finishing with a question. Basically, it is in a period of renewal. I believe it is right that we allow the Catholic Church to express its view and facilitate that expression on the issue of life, which is sacrosanct, and its failings on that.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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You are way over time, Senator.

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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It is more than fitting at this point.

Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)
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I support the call by Senator O'Donovan for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to engage with the fishing industry and, of course, on the wider issue of the need for the Government to appoint a Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, given that it has now been more than five months since that post was vacated through the tragic death of our late colleague, the former Minister of State and Deputy, Shane McEntee. It may be that there is no one capable of replacing Mr. McEntee, who was an excellent Minister of State. However, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, is currently dealing with the Common Agricultural Policy, the Common Fisheries Policy, the fodder crisis, which he has not dealt with at all well, and, of course, the horsemeat controversy, which was not dealt with either. We need the appointment of a Minister of State. I am not saying it, but some are arguing that the reason the Taoiseach is not appointing a Minister of State is that he is waving a carrot to backbenchers before the abortion vote. That is disgraceful and amounts to using a ministerial position to gain and to garner support for legislation that I do not agree with.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator, have you a question for the Leader?

Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)
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There is an issue of debate. I do not believe any Member-----

Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)
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I will speak to the Chair.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator Ó Domhnaill without interruption.

Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)
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I do not believe any Member should dictate on silencing debate. Whether it comes from the church or anyone else outside this Chamber, everyone has the right to freedom of expression. I believe that on an issue of moral conscience every element of debate should be garnered, fostered and listened to. Who are we, as Senators, to tell any church or any religious organisation that its views do not count?

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator, are you looking for debate on this issue?

Mary Moran (Labour)
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I wish to say, on a point of order-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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What is your point of order?

Mary Moran (Labour)
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What I called for was an equal debate-----

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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That is not a point of order.

Mary Moran (Labour)
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It should involve both sides.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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That is not point of order. I call Senator Noone, please.

Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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I am constantly raising this issue but I will raise it again. I was quite taken aback by a briefing held in the Houses last week by various experts in the area of alcohol-related illnesses. It is now the case that such illnesses claim the lives of between three and seven people daily. Apart from the obvious human tragedy, there is also a great social and economic cost to the country, with an estimated cost in monetary terms of €3.7 billion annually. Report after report has indicated the path we are on. The national substance misuse strategy steering group has shown that alcohol is a significant factor in suicide, sexual and physical assault and murder. Allied to this is the serious rise in liver damage, particularly, sadly, among young people. The health authorities have acknowledged their responsibility to inform the Oireachtas and I believe we are quite informed at this stage. It is beyond time for us to tackle this issue in a serious way. Lifestyle issues and the role of alcohol in the lives of young people must be seriously examined. We are all aware that the smoking and drinking driving bans faced strong-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Have you a question for the leader, Senator?

Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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I will get to the question in one moment, if you will bear with me. Those proposals faced strong opposition initially but no one can deny the positive effects that both those bans have had. In fact, a recent study by Brunel University in London revealed that-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator, have you a question for the Leader?

Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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It revealed that 4,000 lives are estimated to have been saved in the country by the introduction of the smoking ban in 2004.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Is the Senator looking for a debate on the issue?

Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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I am looking for a debate on this matter like we have had previously. Will the Leader ask the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy White, to attend the House to discuss what is happening and whether the Government will implement the steering group’s suggestions contained in its report?

I agree with Senator Mullins on retaining the VAT rate of 9% for the restaurant industry.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The Senator is over time. I call on Senator Walsh.

Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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It has been significantly beneficial to the sector.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The Senator is way over time. Please respect the Chair. I have called Senator Walsh.

Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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In fairness, I am not that much over time.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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It is only Tuesday. We will have plenty of time tomorrow.

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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Last week I raised with the Leader that the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, should attend the House to discuss the current issues surrounding him. The main issue I am concerned about is not so much the peripheral issues in the media but the focus that the chief police officer in the country gave politically sensitive information to the Minister for Justice and Equality. Neither the Minister nor the Garda Commissioner has made any statement as to how that arose and why it happened. It raises serious questions about both the Garda Commissioner and the Minister. I invite both of them to make a statement to clarify the situation. It is getting to the stage that both men will need to reflect on their positions.

Senator Higgins made a very important intervention on the Order of Business earlier. I too read the recent newspaper report on the National Asset Management Agency, NAMA, and I am concerned that senior highly-paid executives in the agency are moving to more lucrative positions because the private sector sees gains for itself to be made. If they are made, they could well be made at the expense of the taxpayer. NAMA is fundamental to the recovery of our property market and is also important to our fiscal recovery. A significant investment has been made in NAMA. If it makes significant losses, these will impact on taxpayers who are already carrying a burden they should not be. Will the Minister for Finance be brought into the House to discuss what protocols are in place with regard to people leaving NAMA and to inhibit NAMA from dealing with these individuals and the companies they subsequently join with regard to its property portfolio. It is time markers were put down. If it is not dealt with, down the line we could have major scandals and major losses to NAMA which I do not want to see happen.

Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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I share the concerns raised by Senator Quinn and also referred to by Senator Healy Eames. What Senator Quinn raised is fundamental to the Government's core policy. Will the Leader consider asking the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, to come to the House to discuss the whole area of competitiveness in the context that, on the one hand, there are several thousand jobs available and, on the other, we have a stubbornly high unemployment rate despite all the job creation initiatives the Government has launched, relaunched and relaunched again over the past two years? It seems now, on foot of a comment made in the newspapers at the weekend, that there is a need to shift away from attracting high-tech industries to attracting more manufacturing industries. This happened before in the 1990s and was one of the catalysts for growth then, a measure introduced by the much-maligned Government of the time. There needs to be some refocus on this area and it would be interesting to hear the Government’s position on this.

A week does not go by without some article in the newspapers about the number of jobs available but that there are not enough Irish people to fill them. There was a reference to a young entrepreneur from Ireland who has now relocated to Poland. If a Polish graduate has sufficient skills to fulfil these job requirements, how come an Irish graduate cannot fulfil them here? It is a fundamental question that needs to be addressed.

When does the Leader intend to introduce motion No. 35 on the Order Paper, of which he has taken note? This deals with the report of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications on promoting a sustainable future for the post office network, which was laid before the Seanad on 26 March. I suggest to the Leader that he does more than just note it. This is a fundamental issue that needs to be debated. It would perhaps allow an opportunity for the Leader to fill a useful hour or two in the schedule.

Perhaps the Leader might be able to attract one of the Ministers of State into the House, if they can leave their EU duties for an hour to facilitate a debate here on this important issue.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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Senator Darragh O'Brien asked why all Stages of the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013 are being taken in the House today. The Bill went through the other House very quickly because no amendments to it were tabled on Committee or Report Stages.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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That is fair.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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Perhaps the Senator is asking me to divide up our consideration of the Bill, rather than doing it all on one day. I am not in the practice of organising Committee and Report Stages on the same day. If the Senator is prepared to accept what I have proposed, I think the Bill will go through in a reasonable amount of time without much hassle from any side.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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That is fine.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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I ask the Senator to bear with me on that one.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Sure.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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The Senator also mentioned the proposal to take all Stages of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill on Thursday. I am proposing that we take Second Stage between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on that day and that we take a short break before taking Committee and Report Stages. We might need to split that up again. I understand that approximately 80 amendments are to be tabled on Committee Stage. I was not aware of that when we were setting the agenda. If we are running too late on Thursday night into Friday morning, we can consider the possibility of meeting at another time, if necessary. I understand the Minister is very anxious for this Bill to be dealt with this week. We will endeavour to facilitate the Minister and the House without rushing the legislation through the House. We can consider dealing with Report Stage of that Bill on Friday, if necessary. I have an open mind on the matter. We will probably know more about it on Thursday.

I note what Senator O'Brien said about my suggestion that a public consultation on adult mental health services be carried out. I will endeavour to bring the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to the House. We will either have one or the other. We will not have both. It is a very important issue.

Senator Hayden raised a number of issues, including the property tax deadline. I remind those who do not have a computer or cannot pay online that Revenue can be contacted and arrangements made at 1890 200 255. I note what the Senator said about the housing market. She also called on the Minister for Health to come in and outline his plans for improving maternal health care. The same request was made by Senator Colm Burke. I will try to bring the Minister, Deputy Reilly, to the House at an early stage to set out his plans.

Senators Zappone and Cullinane called on the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation or the Minister for Finance to come to the House for a debate on taxation reform. I will certainly request their presence. I would like to reiterate what I said on this issue last week. A number of independent studies have confirmed that the effective rate of corporation tax in Ireland is very close to the headline standard rate of 12.5%. A report produced by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the World Bank showed that there is an effective rate of 11.9% in Ireland. The European Commission produced a report earlier this year which found that this country's effective rate is 14.4%. The extremely low figures for Ireland's effective rate that have been quoted are all based on the same flawed premise - they are running together the profits earned by group companies in Ireland and other jurisdictions and incorrectly suggesting that the Irish tax does or should apply to both. The figures are reached by dividing the amount of Irish tax paid by the total profit figure, which includes the substantial profits made by companies that are not tax-resident in Ireland.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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That is the problem.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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That is the situation as outlined by the Government.

I will endeavour to have one of the Ministers come to the House to debate that issue. As Senator Zappone mentioned, the IDA and the Government will be responding to the erroneous comments that were made by a US Senate sub-committee.

With regard to Senator Mullen's comments, I did not think the Independents had leaders but we will certainly welcome Senator Norris as leader of the group.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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With regard to the Minister for Justice and Equality, a vote of no confidence was tabled by the Fianna Fáil Members in this House only a month ago-----

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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It certainly was.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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-----so they were ahead of their counterparts in the other House.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Yes, we were.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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There seems to be a concerted effort by Fianna Fáil to have-----

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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It is more than a month ago.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The Leader, without interruption.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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There seems to be an effort by Fianna Fáil to have a go at this Minister-----

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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He gives us a lot of opportunities.

Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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I hope he turns up.

Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)
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I suppose it takes the pressure off the Minister, Deputy James Reilly.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The Leader, without interruption.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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Not alone do they want to get rid of the Minister for Justice and Equality, but Senator Walsh mentioned that he is now questioning the ability of the Garda Commissioner to carry out his duties. They want to get rid of everybody, I suppose. That is their own viewpoint. The Minister will certainly respond to those issues in the other House.

With regard to the point raised by Senator O'Donovan, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, has had major success in the Common Fisheries Policy negotiations. This success has been acknowledged by all and he has been complimented on numerous occasions in this House on the issue of discards. He has come into this House and is in constant contact with fisheries organisations throughout the country.

With regard to the comment that fishermen are being treated as second class citizens by this Government, I reject that totally. It was the Senator's own Government that made criminals out of fishermen through legislation which it brought into the House, and others are trying to redress that situation through a Private Members' Bill.

Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)
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I hope the Senator supports the Bill we bring in.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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The truth is bitter.

Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)
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The Government should put its money where its mouth is.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The Leader, without interruption.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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Fianna Fáil is trying to address a situation it created, is that it? Very good. That is what we are trying to do all the time.

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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The Government promised to repeal it.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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Senator Moloney referred to questions for the Minister for Health. If she could let me know the questions, I will pass them on to the Minister. Otherwise, a Member of the other House can table a question on those matters which she raised. I will certainly assist in any way possible.

Senator Norris raised the issue of the Seanad referendum Bill. I can assure the Senator we will allow as much time as is necessary in this House to discuss that Bill when it comes before us. I understand that Bill will be coming to us in mid-June, if not before it. With regard to the right of way at St. Patrick's Well, if the Senator can give me that question in writing, I will certainly forward it to the relevant Minister, Deputy Varadkar.

Senator Harte spoke in regard to the issuing of reminders to people to renew their passports. I will certainly pass this on to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. It is a practice which, as the Senator rightly said, happens in regard to motor taxation and it could also be done with regard to passports.

Senator Michael D'Arcy spoke on the household charge and urged people to pay their local authorities before 1 July or major penalties will click in. It is a very valid point. People should be advised they will face further penalties if that charge is not paid by July and, eventually, it will be taken from whatever is their source of income by the Revenue. I note Senator MacSharry's points on the Seanad, in particular the media coverage of it, about which I agree with him.

With regard Senator Kelly's point, we will have that debate on mental health services. There has been investment in mental health services in the past year or so. I am sure the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, will come to the House, as I said to Senator Darragh O'Brien.

In response to the point made by Senator Sean D. Barrett, I agree that we had a very good debate in the House on the issue of diesel laundering. Certainly, serious questions about security at the barracks from where the tanker was taken over the weekend need to be answered. On the point made by the Supreme Court on laws being made by people outside the Oireachtas, I assure the Senator that this will not happen as long as this Seanad continues and that legislation brought before the Houses will be scrutinised in a proper manner, as always happens in this House.

Senators Lorraine Higgins and Jim Walsh raised a very important question about employees of NAMA taking up jobs with property companies in the United Kingdom. The position needs to be clarified by the Minister or NAMA and I will ask the Minister to do so.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan made a number of points about the Seanad. We will have ample time to discuss the matter in June and July.

Senator Mary Moran spoke about the protection of life during pregnancy Bill. I said I would not comment on that matter and will leave it at that. Again, we will have ample time to debate the issue in July. I note the Senator's points on the Catholic Church which is entitled to state what it thinks fit. That is its right, but we will have a very comprehensive debate in the House when the Bill is brought before us.

Senators Feargal Quinn, Paschal Mooney and Fidelma Healy Eames called for a debate on the skills shortage. We had a debate on the issues of the skills shortage and competitiveness with the Minister of State with responsibility for training and skills, Deputy Ciarán Cannon, on 20 February, but obviously-----

Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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We would like the real Minister to come - the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The Leader to continue, without interruption.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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We had a debate in the House on 20 February with the Minister for State responsible, Deputy Ciarán Cannon. If necessary, we can arrange a further debate on the matter.

Senator Michael Mullins called for a debate on the situation in Syria, including human rights issues. I have asked the Tánaiste to come to the House to update us on the issue. The Senator also called on the Government to maintain the 9% VAT rate for restaurants. It has certainly been a progressive and productive tax measure and I am sure the case will be made to the Minister for Finance by many organisations before the next budget is announced in October.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh spoke about the Traveller Pride Week celebrations in Galway. Celebrations were held the length and breadth of the country. I will see whether we can organise a debate on multiculturalism, as requested by the Senator. On turf cutting, my understanding is that the law is very clear, but if it needs to be clarified, I will certainly ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs to do so. The Minister has done so much to resolve the issues involved in the past 12 months.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames also spoke about the report on the restructuring of third level education. When the report is published, we will certainly arrange a debate on it.

All I can say to Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill is that the appointment of a Minister of State is a matter for the Taoiseach.

Senator Catherine Noone asked for a debate on the report of the steering group on alcohol and the cost to the community of alcohol abuse. The Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, attended the House previously to discuss this matter. However, I will ask him to come again to discuss the report of the steering group.

Senator Paschal Mooney raised the matter of competitiveness and referred to the report on the post office network. We may be able to arrange a debate on the issue when we find a suitable Minister.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator Denis O'Donovan has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business-----

Mary Moran (Labour)
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On a point or order, I wish to clarify what I said.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The record of the House speaks for itself.

Mary Moran (Labour)
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I did not say the church should not debate matters, with which I have no problem. I asked that both sides have equal opportunity.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Will the Senator, please, resume her seat? The record of the House speaks for itself.

Senator Denis O'Donovan has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That a debate on the failure of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to meet the fishing organisations be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Yes.