Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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The Order of Business is No. 3, statements on the report of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee on how lifestyle changes can help reduce cancer rates, to be taken after the Order of Business and to conclude at 5.45 p.m., with the contributions of each Senator not to exceed six minutes; and Private Member's business to be taken at 5.45 p.m. until 7.45 p.m.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome back the Leader and my colleagues. I look forward to an effective and productive session in the Seanad.

The recess has not done the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, any good. What I was most disgusted about during the recess was the fact that the Government used it to make savage cuts to intellectual and disability services. For example, St. Michael's House serves more than 1,600 young men and women and children in the north east. In August, the Minister announced a cut of €1 million to its services, backdated to 1 July. Respite care has been cut, which means that no staff overtime is available and there will be no new day services. People will need to be returned from respite care to their families. They are the people most in need of services.

This is ironic, given that I listened to the Minister's comments on the health budget yesterday when he stated that he was not too concerned about being a couple of euro over it. He has proven not to be efficient with his personal finances, but he has also proven year on year that he is not able to manage the health budget. One day before the Christmas recess last year, he ran into the House late in the evening and sought an additional €300 million for the health service. At the time and again this year, we stated that his budget did not stack up and was a fantasy. This year, there will be a further major job overrun. To what does the Minister assign blame and what is the reason for it?

He says there are serious demographic issues and old people get sick. So is it their fault that the health budget is over-running? Is it their fault that young people in St. Michael's House will not now receive the services they deserve? Is it the fault of the elderly that the Minister, Deputy Reilly, and the Government have cut the respite care grant by 30%?

We now have a whole new narrative whereby the Minister, Deputy Reilly, like the hurler on the ditch, is blaming the service users for the fact that he cannot manage his budget.

Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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That is not what he said.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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This is the third year in a row that this situation has arisen. When the Minister was Opposition health spokesperson for Fine Gael, the only thing one would have thought was wrong with the health service was the fact that he was not in charge of it. It is patently obvious now that one of the main problems with our health service is the fact that the Minister, Deputy Reilly, is in charge of the Department of Health. The Minister has questions to answer specifically concerning services for children and young adults with severe physical and mental disabilities.

I am tabling an amendment to the Order of Business requesting the Minister for Health to attend the House to make a statement on the cuts to those services for children and young adults which were announced by his Department back in August and which were backdated to July. It was said that he would make a public statement - which he has not bothered to do - during the summer recess. Now that we are back, the Seanad will afford him an opportunity to do so. My party will afford him an opportunity to attend the House for one hour to explain why he feels it is appropriate that children and young adults should suffer because of his mismanagement of the Department of Health.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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Like Senator Darragh O'Brien, I wish to welcome everyone back after the recess to what will be an interesting term ahead. As we gear up for the budget in mid-October - it is the first time we have had a budget this early - I welcome the signals from within the Government that the full adjustment of €3.1 billion may not be made. In fact, a lesser amount may be taken out of the economy in this budget and it would be a welcome step, as most colleagues would agree, towards ensuring a speedier return to economic recovery. We will see a great more deal debate on that. I ask the Leader to ensure that we might play our own part in that debate in the run-up to the budget.

I also wish to refer to the referendums on 4 October. We have had an extensive debate in this House on the referendum on the future of the Seanad, although we have had a less extensive debate on the court of appeal. I hope that in the next few weeks we will have an opportunity to debate further the court of appeal referendum. There is an unfortunate lack of information in the public domain on that referendum.

In terms of the referendum on the future of the Seanad, however, I have been out canvassing with Democracy Matters for a "No" vote. Yesterday, Senator Quinn and myself were out in the lashing rain and received a good response.

David Norris (Independent)
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Good for you.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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I would urge other colleagues who will be voting "No" in the referendum to come out and support the campaign for a "No" vote, and retention and reform of the Seanad.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Does the Senator have Labour Party "No" posters as well?

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Bacik without interruption.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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We have a very short window of time.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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I saw those Labour Party "Yes" posters and I was not sure what side she was on.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Bacik is making an excellent contribution, so she should be given a chance to speak.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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Thank you, a Chathaoirligh. When we are out canvassing it is worth reminding everyone that there are two Bills for reform which have passed Second Stage in the Seanad. They are on the Order Paper and therefore it is not simply a case of retention or abolition because there are clearly proposals for reform in the public domain.

I am also seeking a debate on Syria in the near future. During the recess, there were appalling developments in the war in Syria with the use of chemical weapons and the slaughter of civilians, including children. They were absolutely appalling developments. The only positive thing that can be taken out of it is the welcome rapprochement in the talks between Russia and the United States that may see some diminution of the violence in Syria. We should be urging the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to play his part in ensuring that there is a negotiated settlement and that we will see an end to the slaughter in Syria.

Fiach MacConghail (Independent)
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"Between my finger and my thumb, the squat pen rests snug as a gun".

These words are familiar to all in this Chamber. The poet who wrote these lines, which are from the poem, "Digging", has passed away. I ask that the Leader offer our collective condolences and sympathy to the family of our Saoi, Nobel laureate and most important poet since W.B. Yeats, Seamus Heaney. The 30 August, the day Seamus Heaney died, was a sad day. He is a loss to his family, the world of poetry and the world of Irish society and Irish citizens. From the front cover of The New York Timesto the hourly news bulletins on our national broadcaster it was apparent to all of us that Seamus Heaney was both a global and local poet. He was beyond the parish yet he was part of it too. He was political and understood how poetry and theatre could offer clarity and illumination. He never shirked his responsibility as a citizen poet. He was a generous, inspiring, loving man and poet. I call on the Leader to set aside a modest amount of time to allow Senators to reflect on the death of this great poet and respond to his legacy.

In his play, "The Cure at Troy", he wrote these evocative lines:

History says, Don't hope
On this side of the grave,
But then, once in a lifetime
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up
And hope and history rhyme.

Hildegarde Naughton (Fine Gael)
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Ba mhaith liom cúrsaí brú tráchta ar fud na tíre, go háirithe inár bpríomhchathracha, a thabhairt chun solais.

I call on the Leader to invite the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to the House to participate in a debate on traffic management in our major cities. The National Roads Authority, NRA, has delivered on major projects of connectivity between our major cities, although a significant piece of the jigsaw remains to be completed, namely, the Atlantic corridor. As a country, we are faced with the major challenge of counteracting congestion in our city centres and making them more viable and sustainable. In terms of our capital city, an article in yesterday's The Irish Times is further example of empire building and in-fighting between the archaic structures of local government and the needs of citizens and business people. This incident is not isolated. I have first-hand experience of similar challenges in Galway city with regard to traffic management.

If we are to progress with the same vision as in respect of our motorways we must tackle city centre congestion over the next ten years. As Mayor of Galway, I initiated and facilitated a traffic report with an advisory group consisting of people from Engineers Ireland, NUI Galway and the Galway Chamber of Commerce. Their role was to engage with the citizens of Galway, the local authorities and relevant agencies to elicit cost-effective measures that would alleviate traffic flow in the city. The response from the citizens was very positive and more than 30 recommendations were published and presented to the city council. A number of these measures have been implemented. However, a lot more needs to be done to tackle this serious issue.

I recently facilitated a second report, due to be published in the coming weeks, calling on the citizens of Galway to describe how their journeys have changed over the past 12 months following a number of significant infrastructural changes. I note my Galway colleague, Deputy Noel Grealish, in an article in the Galway Sentinel has called on Galway city and county councils to use joined up thinking in addressing the ongoing traffic congestion in the city. This is not an isolated issue for Galway but one which has major national implications for business, tourism and investment in our main cities throughout the country. We need a multi-agency approach. I would welcome the Minister's participation in this debate.

David Norris (Independent)
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I welcome that Senator Bacik has demonstrated that there is a bit of conscience left in the Labour Party. How cute of the Government to ensure the budget is held two weeks after the referendum. If it were to be held two weeks prior to it there would be no question about the result.

I would like to comment on some posters I have seen.

I was particularly interested in the Labour Party posters, one of which I saw on Gardiner Street last night. People will recognise the rhythm of the slogan, "One People, One Parliament, One Vote", in the words of another slogan, "Ein Reich, Ein Volk, Ein Führer". I wonder which nincompoop thought it up.

We also had the drivel from the Taoiseach about having fewer politicians. What is the Taoiseach, if not a politician? Perhaps he is a vet; I am not sure.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

David Norris (Independent)
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When will we have another opportunity to debate this issue in public? The campaign posters are a shocking waste of public money by the Government. Let us not lie about this - it is taxpayers' money. The Government states it is party money but where does party money come from? The Government is worried about €4 million being spent on the Seanad, which has done a significant amount of work on legislation. The Seanad is different from the Dáil where Deputies have little fights and call each other names before the teams are wheeled in to make the obvious decision. The Seanad achieves things by means of reasoned discussion, yet we are called elitist.

I am glad I had Senator Crown sitting next to me when I was diagnosed with cancer. I did not go to the local butcher and ask him if he knew anything about liver cancer but went to somebody who knew something. That is what this House is for. I and many other Senators have had legislation withdrawn by government. We did not vote down Bills but persuaded governments to withdraw Bills by virtue of our intelligence, capacity and special knowledge. For this reason, it is vital that we keep the Seanad.

The Government can say party rather than Government money is being spent on the campaign. I doubt if the money for the posters I have seen was raised in a jumble sale in Tooreenydohenybeg. That is all I can say on that issue.

A unit of Ballinasloe hospital was closed shortly after €3 million was spent on it, while another €1 million was spent on St. Michael's House, an issue Senator Darragh O'Brien raised. These two sums would pay for the Seanad for one year. The expenses claimed in the Dáil would also pay for this place.

It is important to have a continuing series of debates on the proposed abolition of the Seanad. We must inform people because the Government deliberately forestalled by refusing to allow the matter to be discussed in the Constitutional Convention. People have suffered enough through cutbacks to services for the weakest and most vulnerable, including carers and people with cancer who had their medical cards withdrawn. We also had the introduction of a property tax and evictions. This is the only opportunity they have to give a good kick to the Government that screwed them when it voted for the bank guarantee, which I and many of my colleagues voted and argued against.

The House will be interested to note that the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs will discuss Syria with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade at 4.30 p.m.

Aideen Hayden (Labour)
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I am pleased with the announcement made by the National Asset Management Agency that it has identified 4,000 houses under its control which would be suitable for social housing, in other words, to accommodate those who are most in need. According to NAMA, 2,000 of these homes will be ready in the next three years. To date, the agency has transferred only 397 units to the social housing programme. Without meaning any disrespect to NAMA, this is a derisory figure, particularly as 10,000 units under its control are being rented in the private rented sector. On foot of the announcement and in advance of the upcoming, broader negotiations in the budget, I seek a debate on the role of the construction sector in the economy. Every ten jobs created in the sector delivers an additional seven jobs in the wider economy.

The capital commitment to social housing provision has fallen off a cliff. In that regard, I welcome the recent announcement by the Minister of State with responsibility for housing, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, of an additional stimulus in the social housing sector.

We are falling very far short of what it is needed for social housing. At the moment more than 98,000 households are on the social housing waiting list. NESC has estimated - others have agreed with it - that we need 9,000 units a year to deal with the social housing demand and we are coming nowhere near that.

In the context of the upcoming budget debates, this House has discussed in the past ways to stimulate the economy. We have all received the pre-budget submissions and it is time for this House to have its chance to outline what needs to be done. It is high time we started talking in real terms about the so-called social gain that the people were supposed to get from the NAMA housing stock.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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The most pressing issue facing the vast majority of working people and the unemployed in the State is the upcoming budget. It is vital for us to have debates and discussions with as many Ministers as possible in the run-up to the budget. With all the talk about political reform, it is high time that the budget was done in a different way and not presented as a fait accompli as has been the case for far too long. After discussions with his party and with senior officials in Departments, the Minister for Finance comes to the House and then presents what is a fait accompli and very few changes are made. We in the Oireachtas need to change how we do business and the budget represents a good opportunity to do that.

The Taoiseach made a very interesting comment last week when he said he feels the pain of people who are suffering at the moment. Does he really feel the pain of those unemployed people who spend almost every hour of the day trying to get a job? I do not believe the Taoiseach really feels the pain of the people who have emigrated and the parents who have watched their loved ones emigrate. I do not believe he feels the pain of people with disabilities and carers who have experienced cuts. All the savage cuts imposed by the Government have driven more people into poverty. If the Taoiseach genuinely felt their pain he would not be about to impose a further austerity budget on the people.

My party would welcome a smaller adjustment. However, it is not about the adjustment but about how it is made. It is about where the money comes from and where the cuts are made. In recent years all the evidence from various bodies, including State bodies, has shown that lower and middle-income families and the unemployed have disproportionately taken the brunt of the cuts - often very savage cuts. If the Taoiseach really feels those people's pain, he should do things differently this year and introduce a fairer budget. Various political parties and organisations have proposed costed alternatives to do things in a fairer way without hammering people who have suffered far too much from budgets in recent years.

Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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I ask the House to join me in congratulating a 16-year old young lady, Malala Yousafzai, who was in Dublin last night to receive the Ambassador of Conscience award from Amnesty International. She was shot in the head by the Taliban because she asserted her right to be educated. She should be an example to all young people.

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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And politicians.

Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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She spoke about how the world could be educated against violence, torture and child labour. She should be an example to all of us. We need to educate our young people in schools about the horrors of war, violence and child labour.

I join Senator Bacik in calling for a debate on the horrific situation that continues to evolve in Syria. As a Parliament we need to keep the pressure on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure that peace negotiations are accelerated.

On many occasions in the past along with many of my colleagues I have criticised SUSI, the organisation charged with administering third level education grants.

However, I am impressed that the new manager, Mr. Conroy, and his team appear to have taken on the many issues and problems that had been raised by Oireachtas colleagues and have confidence the system will work much better this year. Senator Conway and I visited its headquarters before the break and the tracking system SUSI has put in place certainly will flag issues and problems at a much earlier date and should ensure that payments and the commitment dates given by SUSI for decisions now will be achieved. Consequently, I wish the new organisation and team at SUSI well this year.

While that is my statement on the positive side, on the negative side I ask the Leader to organise, as a matter of urgency, a discussion with the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, on the completely unacceptable length of time it is taking to get decisions and appeals from her Department. It is completely unacceptable that people who are waiting for carer's allowance, who are in vulnerable positions or who are dealing with desperate problems in their lives are being left waiting for months and in some cases for up to a year for a decision through the appeals process. Consequently, I ask the Leader to organise such a debate as a matter of urgency.

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome all colleagues back to the House. On a sad note, Members will be expressing their deepest sympathy to the family of Michael J. Noonan of Bruff, County Limerick, who was a former Minister, a former Deputy and a former councillor. He was an extremely capable and wonderful politician and a gentleman with whom I served in government and the Dáil. I believe all Members will agree their sympathy will be expressed to the family. I compliment the Leader of the House, Senator Cummins. To thine own self be true and as Leader of this House, he has expressed confidence in this House and I commend him on his courageous stand. It does not surprise me because-----

Sean Barrett (Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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----- he named individuals here who attacked this House one time. He is someone of outstanding ability and his stand has been greatly appreciated and will be regarded by many. I must record my personal disappointment regarding someone from my home town of Roscommon. He is an eminent man, a prominent and well-paid civil servant who has defended jobs well in Ireland for a long time and is someone for whom I have great respect, namely, Kieran Mulvey. However, I am very disappointed that he would come out in favour of a "Yes" vote. He seems to have little regard-----

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I have. Where are the standards in respect of civil servants who can involve themselves in a position that would deprive - not the 60 Senators who are all well capable of fending for themselves in some way - but the 60 staff members who will be affected? All his life, Mr. Mulvey has concerned himself with the welfare of staff but he has shown little concern for the welfare of the staff in this House.

I second the proposal by Senator-----

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Leyden is an experienced Member and should not be referring to people who are not here to defend themselves or who are outside the House.

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I have such experience that I second the proposal by Senator Darragh O'Brien.

Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the introduction of calories on the menu in the restaurants in Leinster House. I am glad that Deputies and Senators will now be able to count calories when they dine in the Dáil restaurants. The introduction of calorie counts in the restaurant will allow Members to make more informed decisions about what they are eating and to think about the dietary choices they are making. This is at a time when 61% of adults in Ireland are overweight and, more worryingly, 26% of children are either overweight or obese. The Minister for Health has asked fast-food restaurants, coffee shops and catering companies to display voluntarily the calories on their menus in respect of food and drink and of the 19 companies contacted directly, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has indicated that almost half are displaying calories on their menus at present, which is greatly to be welcomed. As a person who has advocated the introduction of calorie counts on menus in restaurants generally in so far as is practical - obviously it could be too onerous in the case of restaurants that change their menus each day - it is only fitting that a start be made here in the Houses of the Oireachtas to show true leadership on this issue. I commend those involved here on the efforts to which they have gone to implement it.

Feargal Quinn (Independent)
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I wish to propose an amendment to the Order of Business, namely, that No. 14 be taken before No. 1. This refers to the new Upward Only Rent (Clauses and Reviews) Bill 2013, which I hope will be passed. We have been saddened to see throughout the country thriving successful properties, in particular businesses in the retail trade, which have failed, not on account of any failure on the part of the operators but because before 2009 they had signed up to upward-only rent reviews. These are putting the shops in question out of business. Prior to the last election most members of the Government parties said they would do something about this but they have not found a way. I believe a way has been found. We hope to introduce this Bill very shortly and I urge that we discuss it today.

John Gilroy (Labour)
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I seek a debate on the freedom of the press in light of disturbing reports I have heard in respect of the sacking in recent weeks of an award-winning investigative journalist, Gemma O'Doherty. Some of her work has been raised on the floor of this House. This case has been reported extensively in international media and social media but it does not seem to have generated any traction in our domestic media. When any journalist is sacked it is noteworthy, but when an investigative journalist of Ms O'Doherty's standing is sacked this must raise great concerns for all democrats. I hope the Leader may arrange, at his earliest convenience, a debate in general terms on the freedom of the press.

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Feargal Quinn. That is a good Bill and worthy of consideration in this House. I also support the comments of Senator Michael Mullins in regard to the young Pakistani girl who has shown maturity and wisdom beyond her years and has suffered tremendously thereby. As the Senator remarked, she is an example to us all. In particular, I would like to have a debate on the point the Senator made about creating an award for conscience. That would be very important in these Houses, especially given the manner in which people have abused power in the Lower House to discriminate very strongly and unfairly against members of a political party who exercised their conscience and, as a consequence, have had to make considerable sacrifices, for which I applaud them. The vindictive manner in which they have been treated by the leader of a particular party is something we should focus on, not laud. In that regard and in support of Senator John Gilroy, I point out how alarmed I was to read in The Irish Times an article lauding the abuse of power in this regard, commending somebody for squashing the consciences of Members of these Houses. If democracy is to flourish and be meaningful, surely this must mean, in the words of that notable Irish parliamentarian, Edmund Burke, that we do not arrive at the stage where politicians have to abrogate their consciences.

I agree with what Senator Gilroy said about the sacking of Ms Gemma O'Doherty. Many people have come to me in recent months, since the House went into recess, who told me about their difficulties in getting their points of view and their letters into some newspapers because of the particular perspective those papers took on the abortion Bill. That does not serve democracy. Within our media there is self-censorship. If this came about via the Executive or if the State were to impose such censorship, there would be considerable objection and hostility.

Will the Leader give consideration to having a debate on the recent report of the OECD and the troika? This was scathing about the ineffective measures being taken to tackle unemployment. In Wexford, as in many other counties, youth unemployment stands at just under 50%, an appalling figure. The future of these people is at stake.

I ask that the Minister come to the House for a debate on the issue. I am puzzled that the Minister, whose primary remit is enterprise and job creation, is touring the country fronting a referendum campaign. It shows misplaced priorities by the Government.

Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael)
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I join my colleagues in welcoming everybody back for a very productive session up to Christmas. I ask other Members to support me and ask the Leader to write to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, rather than inviting him to come to the House, in respect of single farm payments due in October 2013. Almost 100,000 farmers are facing penalties dating back from 2008 to 2013 due to digitisation of maps. The Minister introduced the BVD scheme a couple of years ago for which I congratulate him. I have done some research in my own herd for the IFA on the scheme. Many of the new BVD tags are falling out. This can have serious consequences for a farmer inspected by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a number of tags is missing. The Minister must realise there is a problem with the tags and must inform his officials to be lenient in respect of this matter.

We have had a great summer and everybody has enjoyed the best summer for many years. However, we must not forget the previous year, the previous 18 months and the previous two years when farmers experienced the worst weather of the century. Many farmers are facing the heaviest co-operative bills and still have not paid them off. Will the penalties be applied to the single farm payments in October and December 2013? I am aware it is an EU scheme and that if a person is in breach of a scheme a penalty must apply. I ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to consider imposing the penalties over a two-year period rather than imposing the full penalty this year. If a person has a penalty of €1,000, I suggest that €500 be taken this year and €500 next year as that would lessen the pain in what has been a very trying year in respect of agricultural costs. I appreciate we had a great summer. I hope the Leader will write to the Minister in respect of these matters and that the rest of the Members will support me.

Sean Barrett (Independent)
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I compliment the Leader on his stand in respect of the future of this House. I point out in The Irish Times today that the Referendum Commission guide sent to every house in the country has a serious omission. It does not refer to the fact that if the referendum is passed, people in six counties of this island and overseas will be deprived of a vote which they have had since the foundation of the State. I would like the Leader to raise that issue with the Referendum Commission in order that future editions of the booklet would refer to this important fact as many people, particularly in Border counties, would not like to let down their friends and relations in Fermanagh, Armagh and the other counties. The Referendum Commission has erred in not referring to this vital aspect.

I was concerned at the conduct of banks during the vacation and again when they appeared before the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform. They would do exactly the same things all over again. Our financial institutions have learned nothing. I commend the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, and the Government on trying to deal with the worst aspects of the consequences of banking failure but we also have to face the reasons banks failed and why they are likely to do so again.

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in the UK published last Friday measures to prevent property bubbles. It examined issues such as loan to value, loan to debt, loan to people's incomes, capital requirements of banking systems and reserve ratios for banks. There is a post-crisis consensus in economics to prevent housing bubbles. The royal institute gives 12 examples internationally where these measures have been implemented in countries such as Canada, Croatia, Hong Kong and Norway. As we leave the troika we must engage in a full analysis of measures to prevent the banks doing the same thing all over again.

I ask the Leader to request the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, who has worked so hard on this issue, to debate how banking may be reformed so that we never would have a recurrence of the events that occurred between 2000 and 2008.

Denis Landy (Labour)
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I support the call by Senator Hayden for NAMA to release houses to local authorities and to social housing organisations. As has been said, NAMA holds some 10,000 housing units, yet there are 98,000 people in need of housing. It does not take a genius to work out that the houses held by NAMA should be released into the stewardship of local authorities and social housing organisations.

I welcome the Government's decision in July to bring forward a voluntary code of conduct for social housing organisations to regulate rents, maintenance and lettings. There is also a requirement for transparency in the funding of the more than 700 social housing organisations. If the social housing organisations do not voluntarily sign up to the voluntary code of conduct, I suggest we legislate to make it a statutory code.

I commend the Members of this House who have stood up to fight for the reform and retention of Seanad Éireann. This job should not be left to the few. Everybody who believes that the House should be retained and reformed should canvass for it on a daily basis. I had the privilege to canvass with Democracy Matters. I think, as a betting man, the referendum will be defeated. The people of Ireland will have their say on 4 October and the Government is slowly realising this. Last Friday I attended the annual conference of the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland in west Cork, at which the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, was the guest of honour. In the course of his speech he referred to the Seanad referendum, stating that the Government will look at reform if the referendum is defeated. That is proof positive to the Irish people that there is a plan B. Plan B will come into operation when we see off this referendum.

Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)
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Go raibh maith agat. Most people agree that Ireland is a very proud nation - a nation of great tenacity. We had to pay dearly for control of our destiny and the democracy which we have. The referendum posters in support of the abolition of the Seanad put forward as reasons for its abolition the saving of €20 million and the reduction in the number of politicians. I wonder what visitors will think if the people have actually come to that point, no matter what economic challenges we are facing. I have done a number of interviews on the subject, and last week I, together with a former senior Fine Gael minister - a gentleman - were debating the matter. My argument was that the proposed saving of €20 million could not be substantiated, even taking into account the so-called indirect expenses, for which no evidence has been provided. He agreed quite casually that the figure of €20 million was not correct. On the subject of fewer politicians, I mentioned that prior to the last election, we were promised that there would be 20 fewer Dáil Deputies. He agreed again that this proposal was modified to a reduction of eight in the number of Deputies. If that is the essence of civilised debate on getting rid of a House of Parliament and if that is meant to reflect who we are as a people - which I do not believe it does - we are, I think, in a sorry state at present.

Anybody suggesting getting rid of a House of the Oireachtas surely should have put forward a White Paper or a Green Paper-----

Senators:

Hear, hear.

Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)
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-----and given us 12 months to examine the pros and cons and have a genuinely informed and focused debate. That was not done and the matter was not allowed to go to the Constitutional Convention. I will not use the word "dishonesty" but there is something very strange about the excuses given for not bringing it to the convention.

David Norris (Independent)
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Yes.

Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)
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The excuses do not stand up. Let us forget about ourselves as legislators and ask ourselves two questions. Are we treating the people in a mature manner? Is it our intention to, in some way, add insult to insult and suffering to suffering, which the Government is doing at the moment?

The reason I mentioned a White Paper or Green Paper is that one can see, as the debate evolves and people get more information, that people are asking more questions. I know it is late in the day but that is not the fault of the people.

I have said before that if one looks at the Dáil as it exists at present, one can see that most Members of the Dáil in all parties have been reduced to filling seats and pushing buttons.

David Norris (Independent)
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Yes.

Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)
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That is the extent of their input into the democratic system, and then they want to get rid of an oversight that already exists. This matter should not be about budgets and recessions but rather about respect for ourselves as a free people. All I can hope is that we will not succumb to this type of exercise because if we do so in this case, those who have brought it forward and advised the Taoiseach to do so will feel they can do it again on a future occasion. It has been a breath of fresh air to see people from the Government parties standing up at this stage. The more who do so, the greater the opportunity to give the message to the Government that our democracy is not up for barter or auction at this time.

David Norris (Independent)
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Well played.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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Who could disagree with the comments of Senator Ó Murchú who always speaks with a certain passion and true Irishness in the House which has been the hallmark of his very illustrious career in Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann as well as in Seanad Éireann?

One of the most important pieces of information conveyed during this afternoon's Order of Business has come from Senator Landy. I welcome that the Minister, Deputy Coveney, has told us that there is definitely a plan "B" and there will be Seanad reform after the referendum, assuming it does not succeed. That is a significant development. I wholeheartedly welcome the news because the vast majority of the people want to see a reformed Seanad Éireann.

I was also deeply disturbed to hear about the sacking of Ms Gemma O'Doherty. I was not aware of it. I know her and know her to be a very fine, capable, passionate and determined journalist. I am sure she will have no problem picking up alternative employment with another publication. I would like to know more about how the sacking happened and the reasons for it. She certainly drove the Fr. Niall Molloy case in recent times, an injustice of which we are all aware.

Another worrying note relates to a recent article published in The Irish Times that stated 300 individuals with severe mental health issues are committed yearly to prison. Any sane person knows that prison is not the appropriate place for somebody with severe mental health issues. I would like at some stage, perhaps in this term, if we could have a debate specifically on mental health with the senior Minister, Deputy Shatter, to get to the bottom of the bottom of the issue. We are a decent society that respects citizens and individuals and we are a society that respects individuals who are vulnerable. I am very concerned about the level of committal to prison of people with severe mental illness. I want the matter investigated and debated in the House. The Seanad has always fought for the underdog, the citizens who are vulnerable. I would like the plight of this group of vulnerable citizens highlighted and would welcome a debate on it very sincerely.

I want it investigated and debated in this House. We have always fought for the underdog, for the citizens who are vulnerable. This is a group of vulnerable citizens and I would welcome a debate on the issue.

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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We hear today that the economic management council, consisting of three Ministers - Deputies Noonan, Gilmore, Howlin - and the Taoiseach, will decide the budget and inform the Cabinet what they have decided. Deputies will then line up as lobby fodder to vote it through. If this is what passes for democracy in the 21st century, then I wonder what the Taoiseach thinks an oligarchy would look like. It seems that he is committed to having an anaemic and sickly form of democracy in this country. When we learn that he is not willing to agree to a live televised debate on the abolition of the Seanad - a major reform of our constitutional apparatus and our democratic system - I wonder even more. Do we have to wait for another party dinner to find out what he has planned for his next reform of politics in this country?

Let us consider the claims the Government has put forward so far in its campaign to abolish the Seanad. The claim that abolition would save €20 million is demonstrably a lie. The self-serving attempted bribe that we would have fewer politicians means in reality that the Government would have fewer people to bully and to whip into line. If we consider these claims, then I am not one bit surprised that the Taoiseach is running scared of any debate, because he would not have the benefit of his handlers to protect him from scrutiny. It is better for him to make decisions behind closed doors in small, unaccountable groups, but that should make us very concerned about the future of our democracy and about the outcome of this referendum.

I call on the Leader to ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to attend this House and explain the circumstances surrounding a story in The Connacht Tribune by Declan Tierney on 28 August. It stated that the EU Committee on Petitions wrote to the Minister, informing him that the west and north west of this country have not benefitted from available funding for major infrastructural projects and regional development as a whole. The EU had to take the unprecedented step of writing to the Irish Government to cajole it into applying for millions of euro in development funds that it has so far failed to seek for the west, and this is a major scandal and beggars belief. It would appear that the committee informed the Minister that there is funding for the construction of the western rail corridor if the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport would only apply for it. The committee has even offered to travel here on a fact finding mission to help identify projects for consideration. It seems to me that there is a major lack of stewardship here. The committee is concerned about balanced regional development and that it must inquire as to why funding for the west is not being sought is really remarkable. That was the view of Mr. Tierney in The Connacht Tribune and I agree with him. It is amazing that an EU committee would have to browbeat an Irish Government Department into applying for available funding, given all the challenges that this country faces. I would be grateful if the Leader asked the Minister to come in here and explain the lack of applications for the west, such that we may need visitors from the EU to help us do what we should be doing anyway.

Susan O'Keeffe (Labour)
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We all have a role to play in the way we debate the retention of the Seanad and its reform. There is probably not a single person in this room who does not agree that we need to reform the way we do business and the way we are elected. We all have an individual responsibility towards that. I have organised a debate on this issue which will take place next Wednesday at 6.30 p.m. in the European Parliament office. I have invited former politicians only on the grounds that they at least have experience and knowledge of how the Houses of the Oireachtas actually operate. Speakers will include Gemma Hussey and Mary O'Rourke, both former Leaders of this House and former Ministers, as well as a former leader of the Progressive Democrats and former Minister, Des O'Malley. I am trying to allow an opportunity for those people who have real experience over many years and in many different ways to give their forthright but mixed views on the value of the Seanad and the need for political reform.

I wish to address a question to the Leader. It was wonderful in Sligo and Leitrim this summer to see the area effectively turned into a film set with the last film being made by the renowned film-maker, Ken Loach, with many local people being involved in the way he makes films. He loves to invite local people who have no history of acting to be involved. It was wonderful to see that. The reason I am raising this matter is to thank him for choosing Ireland to make his last film. Many Members will know his film "The Wind that Shakes the Barley". It was wonderful that he saw in Leitrim a story that he thought was worth telling. I would like to have a debate on the value of the creative sector, particularly in the west. An initiative, the Creative Edge, is currently being operated by the Western Development Commission. Anybody who has a interest in creative businesses in the west has two days remaining to apply for a talent voucher worth €2,000 to assist them with their business. This is an initiative of which some creative businesses may still not be aware. It is a cross-Border initiative and it is being run in conjunction with Finland and Sweden. Given that it has a cross-Border element, it is being run in a peripheral region and has an international dimension, I ask the Leader to arrange for a debate on the value of the creative industries in the west and in the Ireland as a whole. It would be a valuable exercise as there are many unexploited opportunities.

John Crown (Independent)
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I still feel a little like a tourist when I am in the corridors of Government and Parliament and I still take an outsider's perspective and have a sense of wonder at some of the opportunities it gives somebody who has a different day job. I had an interesting experience last week. I got to address a meeting held by the London Irish Lawyers Association and the National University of Ireland Graduates Association of the UK in the Liberal Club in Whitehall in London and it was a very interesting experience. The topic of the debate was the abolition of the Seanad. There were about 80 folks present in the audience, most of whom, I suspect, in our quasi-democractic Seanad electoral system currently have votes and all of whom will lose their votes if the abolition of the Seanad goes through.

I debated against a Government TD, a Fine Gael TD, who honestly admitted on the floor during the debate that the €20 million figure is absurd.

Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)
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Will he be sacked?

John Crown (Independent)
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I do not know if he will be sacked but he admitted that it was an absurd figure. The vote for those who might be interested in such things went 75 to nil against abolition. I am sorry that we cannot have the referendum among the Irish diaspora. They were very taken by the point that this was the only forum in which members of the Irish diaspora, who had been forced through circumstances not of their own choice in many cases to emigrate, had some little say in the halls of Parliament.

Let me make one or two brief points as I am troubled by these matters. I would like the Leader to use the offices of his parliamentary party to ask the Taoiseach and the director and co-director of the referendum campaign, Deputies Bruton and Doherty, to formally retract something which at least one of them admitted is fundamentally inaccurate, namely, the €20 million makey-up figure which is now emblazoned on tens of thousands of posters around the country. Not only is it inaccurate but it contains within it an incredible bit of subversion of democracy. They admit that the direct costs are about €6 million and part of the makey-up costs are the costs of processing citizens' questions. Will citizens stop asking questions of Government, the Civil Service and the bureaucracy if Seanad Éireann ceases to exist? Is it a good thing that an avenue for people to ask questions of those who should be answerable and accountable to them will disappear? I am not so sure that it is.

I would also ask that the Minister, Deputy Brendan Howlin, clarify something he has said three times, once in an Oireachtas committee, once on RTE and once to me personally, namely, that the money that will be saved - it probably is a pretty neat fit for the €6 million figure, not the €20 million figure - is not going to be spent taking children off waiting lists for Crumlin hospital or on employing extra special needs assistants, but will be redeployed within the Leinster House bureaucracy to fund the activities of the new committees.

Parenthetically, instead of the imperfect quasi-democracy that gives us our Senators, these committees will consist of a cohort of people who are entirely appointed by the Taoiseach. This is the same Taoiseach whose bona fides for appointing experts to committees are evident from the fact that he ejected the Dáil's only senior banking and financial consultant, Deputy Mathews, from a committee on which the Deputy's expertise might have been relevant because he disagreed with the Taoiseach on abortion. The Taoiseach also kicked the only Member who has conducted doctoral studies on food safety and food science off the health committee, which has primary responsibility for food safety, because he disagreed with the Taoiseach on whether the Roscommon emergency department should be kept open. It is important that we get clarity from the Leader's party, which has paid for referendum posters that contain a fat inaccuracy.

In passing, I wish to comment on our colleagues from Sinn Féin who are not present today. They have criticised the Seanad as being elitist.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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They are never here.

John Crown (Independent)
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Some will comment on the appropriateness or otherwise of Fine Gael - perhaps we should call them Shinne Gael, now that they are working together on the abolition campaign - to comment on anyone's elitism.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator's time has concluded.

John Crown (Independent)
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For a group of people who would not acknowledge the legitimacy of Dáil elections from the 3rd to the 27th Dáil, who believed that the Government of Ireland was Mr. Tom Maguire, the last survivor of the 2nd Dáil who was sitting in a retirement home in Mayo, or seven guys in a shebeen in Belfast called the army council, and who thought that everyone else in the country who had voted in 31 Dáil elections was wrong to accuse others in this Chamber of elitism is a little rich.

John Kelly (Labour)
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Like others, I was not going to speak about the referendum on the abolition of the Seanad, given that we should be discussing more pressing matters, for example, the upcoming budget. I hope that today will be the last discussion on the subject until we are closer to 4 October. However, I agree with all of the contributions so far, particularly concerning the lie being sold to the people about a saving of €20 million. This is unforgivable.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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"Lie" is a strong word to use.

Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)
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But true.

David Norris (Independent)
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It is a lie.

John Kelly (Labour)
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It is unforgivable that people can be allowed to lie to the people about €20 million in savings when the figure is actually €4.8 million. The price that one lobby group has put on democracy is one litre of milk per person per year. This is outrageous. Most of the people who are being rolled out to campaign for the abolition of the Seanad are former Senators. Why did they not shout stop while they were in the Seanad? Why did they not view their value as nil? Not one of them spoke about the issue at the time. When we save the Seanad, will they give a commitment that they will never seek seats in this House again when they lose their Dáil seats?

David Norris (Independent)
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Hear, hear.

John Kelly (Labour)
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I compliment Ms Gemma O'Doherty on her great work in the Fr. Niall Molloy case. She took it from nothing to being fairly and squarely on the desk of the Minister for Justice and Equality, who promised before the last election an independent commission of inquiry into the death of Fr. Molloy after everything else had been addressed. The cold case investigation has been concluded, the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, has made a ruling and the matter is now with the Minister. Given the great work done by Ms O'Doherty, I call strongly on the Minister to allow the commission of inquiry to go ahead.

David Norris (Independent)
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On a point of linguistic order, I wish to point out that someone who deliberately repeats something that he or she knows to be untrue is actually lying.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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That is not a point of order.

David Norris (Independent)
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It is a perfectly appropriate word to use.

John Gilroy (Labour)
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That is a good point.

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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I welcome back my colleagues. As citizens, we enjoy rights, but we never really know how strong they are until they are tested. Like others, I am worried about the sacking of Ms O'Doherty. She was expressing her right to report on various stories. For some reason or other, however, she has been sacked. A debate on the freedom of the press and journalists' rights must be considered.

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for granting our colleagues speaking rights.

Sean Barrett (Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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We all want our rights to be recognised.

They had to be tested and people had to fight hard for them. What about the neglected rights of young people that I have seen this summer, however? I am referring to school-leavers with intellectual disabilities. Parents are on their knees watching these children regress. They are children with autism and challenging behaviour who may be granted two or three days of service. Then after a big push in some cases they may receive five days of service. What about their rights? What about the rights of children with Down's syndrome to an appropriate education, or the rights of children with learning difficulties to an individual education plan? Not one piece of that legislation is yet on the Statute Book. It is the fault of successive Governments.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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I have a question. When will the mental capacity Bill - to be renamed the assisted decision-making Bill - become law? Can we have a debate on that legislation? Until Ireland signs up to the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities I see nothing but neglected children and adults who are lost and forgotten. Families are giving up so much, including incomes. They are falling behind in mortgage payments because they have to give up income in order to cope. After all the pushing, we get a little improvement and we are meant to be grateful. I say "No thanks", however, because these people deserve their rights. It is the least they can expect. One never misses a right until one requires it. These people have basic needs. I would be grateful if we could consider our intellectually disabled and people with other disabilities, including young children, and have such a debate here during this term.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I also wish to compliment Ms Gemma O'Doherty on her research and writing on the Fr. Niall Molloy case. I have spoken on this matter before, as have several other Members. I agree very much with what has been said earlier today by Senator Kelly. Hopefully, now that the matter is with the Minister, something will be done.

Some interesting contributions have been made today by several speakers on the Seanad referendum. I would hope that the independent Referendum Commission will clarify the matter regarding the alleged sum of €20 million. We should await that and hopefully the commission will clarify it. I gather there was something in the news about it today, so hopefully we will hear further on that matter. I compliment our own Leader on the matter. He has acted with dignity and is doing a good job for the Seanad. We have more to come yet.

James Heffernan (Labour)
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I was not going to say much about the Seanad referendum because it will be played out over the next couple of weeks. We all know that the argument put forward by the abolitionists is absolutely flawed. It is up to each and every Member of this House to go out in the highways and byways to put that message across to the people because the battle is not going to be won in here.

I wish to offer my sincere sympathy and deepest condolences to the family of the former Minister, Michael J. Noonan, from Bruff, County Limerick. My thoughts are with his widow and children, as well as with his many friends and relations, at what is a sad and difficult time for them. It is also a sad time for many people in south and east Limerick, particularly the communities of Bruff, Grange, Meanus and Lough Gur.

Michael J. Noonan was an absolute gentleman. He bore his fight against a long illness with dignity and true grace that was characteristic of the man. Anyone, in either House of the Oireachtas, who came across Michael J. Noonan and knew him during his 30 years in public life, would concur with those sentiments. Indeed, when I returned from Australia in 2007 to stand in that year's general election, he was one of the first people I called to see.

He offered me plenty of advice and direction, all of which I took on board.

Michael J. Noonan was very much liked right across the political spectrum. Following his 30 years in public life he continued to be a valued community leader in Bruff and contributed to numerous excellent voluntary projects in the town, including voluntary housing. He was very much cognisant of the sacrifices made by previous generations and as secretary of the Seán Wall Commemoration Committee which commemorated ambushes in Grange and Caherguillamore, where many young men and women lost their lives for the cause of Irish freedom, was very cognisant of the fact that their memory should remain alive and be respected. Occasions such as the commemoration of our noble dead can be hijacked by various political interest groups. Michael Noonan opened them up to everybody, regardless of what party or none he or she was a member.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. Our thoughts are with his family.

Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)
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One of our most distinguished former Senators was the late William Butler Yeats. He wrote the famous poem "September 1913", a line or two from which is particularly relevant to the debate on the future or otherwise of this House. In that poem, William Butler Yeats asks:

What need you, being come to sense,
But fumble in a greasy till
And add the halfpence to the pence.....

I wish the Government would come forward with progressive and strong reasons for a "Yes" vote. When the lead argument is not only fictitious but deeply and deliberately false, there is a need for us to reflect upon it with great concern. It is urgent that the Referendum Commission, which is independent and tasked with the job of informing every citizen about the referendum, adjudicates on this figure. I served on a previous Oireachtas commission. I had faith in the members serving on that commission, which was, up to 18 months ago, able to clarify the cost of the Seanad. It is inexcusable if such figure cannot be produced. The true amount is not €20 million.

It has often be said that Members of this House should not lead the campaign for saving the Seanad or otherwise. We all have personal views on that. I am glad the Leader and others have expressed their personal views on the matter. However, as politicians we are obliged to ensure the electorate is informed and that when it is being deliberately misinformed that misinformation is clarified. I hope there will be urgent dialogue between the referendum commission and whomever necessary to ensure the real cost of the Seanad is presented.

The good news is that if the actual cost of the Seanad is €20 million and if abolishing it will save that amount it would be possible, using the same calculation, to turn around the national budget deficit by reducing the number of Deputies by up to 60. Let the debate be about fact and not fiction. Let the independent Referendum Commission adjudicate on this in the near future so that the people are not voting in a deliberately false vacuum.

Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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I wish to be associated with the expressions of sympathy to the family of the late Michael J. Noonan.

I was shocked to learn of Mr. Noonan's sad passing. Like many Members on all sides of this and the other House, I knew him as a decent, honourable man who had great national and family values. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

In response to comments made on the figure being tossed around by the Fine Gael Party on the costs of the Seanad, if I remember correctly, the chairperson of the Referendum Commission last week indicated she was directing people to the Oireachtas website for information on the matter. She referred to the contribution made by the Clerk of the Dáil, Mr. Kieran Coughlan, in respect of the figure on costs. I understand the chairman of the Referendum Commission is aware of the controversy surrounding the figure. It would be helpful if the commission were contacted to ensure the correct figure is placed in the public domain.

David Norris (Independent)
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What price democracy?

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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We have had 28 contributions from Senators. I ask the Leader to respond.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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It was remiss of me to fail to announce the Order of Business in the normal manner. No. 1 is a motion regarding arrangements for the address to the House by Mr. David Begg, general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, to be taken without debate on the conclusion of the Order of Business. No. 2 is a motion regarding the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Immunities) Act (Commencement) Order 2013, to be taken without debate on the conclusion of No. 1. No. 3 is statements on the report of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee on how lifestyle changes can help to reduce cancer rates. Private Members' business is No. 44, motion 8.

I welcome all Senators back to the House. Senator Darragh O'Brien raised health matters, including a budget overrun in the health area. I am not aware of any such overrun, although I am aware of comments made in this regard by the Minister and others. We should wait and see whether there will be a budget overrun.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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We do not have time to wait. We need to get rid of the Minister.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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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.

Senators:

Hear, hear.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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Senator Conway spoke on the issue of people with mental health problems in prisons. It certainly is a matter I will raise with the Minister for Justice and Equality and on which Members perhaps can have a debate in the House. Senator O'Keeffe advised Members of a debate next Wednesday, to which I am sure many Senators would like to go. However, as Members have business in this House until 9 p.m. next Wednesday, it could be very difficult for them to attend the aforementioned debate on the future of the Seanad.

Susan O'Keeffe (Labour)
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They could bilocate.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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However, I am sure it will be a worthy debate. Senator O'Keeffe also has called for a debate on the value of the creative sector and I certainly will try to arrange that. Senator Crown raised the cost of the Seanad and posters that have been erected by my party. For the Senator's information, I am informed this was at the cost of the party but-----

John Crown (Independent)
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The public pays the party for expelled Deputies and Senators.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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----- the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission published a report in this regard. It was given to Members approximately three weeks before the Seanad rose for the summer and provided figures on the cost of the Dáil and the Seanad. All Members will have received a copy of the aforementioned report and with my poor arithmetic, I could make out that the cost of wages,expenses and staff for the Seanad was €9.03 million.

Clearly there are additional costs such as IT, pensions and others but I am sure that by 4 October the people will have their arithmetic done as to whether these amount to €20 million and will be able to decipher who is right or wrong in that regard.

Senator Kelly called for a commission of inquiry on the death of Fr. Niall Molloy, a matter also addressed by Senator Coghlan. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister.

Senator Healy Eames spoke about the rights of children with a disability and asked when the mental capacity Bill would be put into law. I will make inquiries in that regard.

Senator Bradford also asked about costs of the Seanad. I agree with him that any campaign should be fought on facts not fiction.

Rónán Mullen (Independent)
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I had a question concerning the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar. Perhaps the Leader addressed this but I did not hear it.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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I knew I was forgetting somebody. I did not have the name written, just the query. I offer the Senator my apologies. Funding for projects in the west of Ireland is a matter I will raise with the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, but the Senator might also consider an Adjournment matter and in that way he would get the exact information he requires.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Darragh O'Brien has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That the Minister for Health be requested to attend the House today to make a statement on cuts in services for children with mental and physical disabilities." Is the amendment being pressed?

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Yes.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Quinn has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 14 be taken before No. 1". The Leader has indicated that he is prepared to accept this amendment. Is that agreed? Agreed.