Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

They must be cleared before the Easter recess. I will endeavour to have time allocated for a debate on health as soon as possible. Senators Walsh and Bradford referred to Northern Ireland and congratulated the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, on the allocation of funding to the Orange Order. This was much appreciated and the traditions of all on this island should be respected. We should champion this and I congratulate the Minister for his foresight on the matter.

Senator White suggested inviting the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Hoctor, for a debate on older people in our society. I have no difficulty with this.

Senators Ellis and Coghlan called on the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to appear before the House to discuss the boundary commission report. There are two boundary commissions, one of which concerns the Dáil constituency boundaries and about which Senator Ellis urgently seeks a debate. I have no difficulty with this and I understand there will be a Bill published this year that will address it. This session is short because Easter falls so early but I expect the Bill to pass through the House before the summer recess.

The other commission is concerned with boundaries for local authority elections. Submissions must be received by 14 March and there is a time limit on this so that the report can be issued by the end of June. This is important in respect of the major changes in population, particularly along the east coast. It will have far-reaching implications and many Members are examining this. The commission has been set up under the aegis of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Many Members will be keen to make a contribution on the tolerance level with regard to Senator Ellis's point. I will endeavour to have the Minister attend the debate, which can take place before the Easter recess.

I join with Senator Leyden, who proposes a vote of congratulations to the Garda Commissioner, Fachtna Murphy, on the €10.5 million drugs haul yesterday. We congratulate the Garda Síochána on the wonderful work it is doing and the Commissioner, who is leading the work in this area. The haul shows us the amount of drug-related activity taking place, particularly the amount of cocaine that is sold and trafficked around the country, to the detriment of society.