Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 21 and the name of the Member in each case: (1) Deputy Mary Alexandra White — the need to bring forward national legislation to protect SACs in upland commonage areas from the use of quad bikes, scramblers and motorbikes so as to protect habitats, in compliance with the habitats directive; (2) Deputy Timmy Dooley — the need to review the criteria for community employment schemes; (3) Deputy Leo Varadkar — to ask the Minister for Health and Children to make a statement to the Dáil on the decision of Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown to cut back inpatient and outpatient services to meet HSE budgetary restrictions; (4) Deputy Deirdre Clune — the need to ensure enough qualified staff to administer the TB vaccine in the Cork area; (5) Deputy Denis Naughten — the need for the Minister for Health and Children to outline her plans for the provision of acute medical and surgical care of the people of counties Roscommon, Galway, Westmeath, Longford, Leitrim and Offaly, following the HSE's decision to close the inpatient surgery and accident and emergency departments at Roscommon County Hospital and transfer them to Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, on an interim basis; (6) Deputy Michael D. Higgins — to proceed with the development of Clifden community school — scoil phobail Clifden — in County Galway in view of the fact the school has been approved for progress, in the light of the increased local school-going population, together with cramped and outdated working conditions and facilities in the school, in particular with regard to the united community voice calling for this development to proceed and unanimity, too, among elected representatives as well as parents, pupils and voluntary groups in the area; (7) Deputy Pat Breen — an update on the proposed Carrigaholt sewerage scheme in County Clare, when the Minister expects to have the preliminary report for the scheme approved, and the timeframe for this project going to tender; (8) Deputy Noel J. Coonan — the need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline what plans her Department has in place to provide alternative employment for the employees of the former Erin Foods factory in Thurles, what plans her Department has to attract industry and investment to the town, and to outline how many jobs have been created in Thurles since a delegation from the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment to Tipperary visited there in January; (9) Deputy Dan Neville — the siting of the Central Mental Hospital at Thornton Hall; (10) Deputy James Bannon — the need for the Minister for Transport to provide an update on his plans regarding the re-opening of Killucan railway station, County Westmeath, and the provision of Structural Funds financing for same, in light of the urgent need for easily accessible public transport, due to the rapidly increasing population in the area; (11) Deputy Olwyn Enright — the need for the Minister for Health and Children to outline Government policy on the provision of day care services in counties Laois and Offaly, how much funding has been allocated to the HSE for the service in this area this year, and whether this is sufficient to ensure the service remains available on the same basis as every other year; (12) Deputies Aengus Ó Snodaigh and Mary Upton — the Health Service Executive cuts that affect Crumlin Children's Hospital; (13) Deputy Joe Costello — the need for the Government to provide an inspection regime for military aircraft using Irish airspace to ensure that no rendition flights take place; (14) Deputy Martin Ferris — the effect of rising fuel prices on fishermen; (15) Deputy Bernard Allen — the closure of St. Catherine's ward at the Mercy University Hospital, Cork; (16) Deputy Tom Sheahan — the need for the Minister to remove section 47 from the Planning and Development Act and for the Minister to make a comprehensive statement on the matter; and (17) Deputy Michael McGrath — the need for the Department of Education and Science to give approval for an extension to Shanbally national school, Shanbally, Ringaskiddy, County Cork.

The matters raised by Deputies Deirdre Clune, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Mary Upton, Bernard Allen and Timmy Dooley have been selected for discussion.