Dan Boyle (Green Party)

I thank Senators for their contributions. Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, Harris, Hannigan, Healy Eames, Regan, Mullen and John Paul Phelan referred to the letter written by Deputy John Cregan which appeared in today's edition of the The Irish Times. I agree with Senator O'Toole that Deputy Cregan has a right to make whatever statement he likes. The question of whether he made his statement as Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, which he cited in the letter, is a matter for the joint committee. If the four Senators, including Senator O'Toole, who are members of the joint committee raise the matter in the committee, further information may be forthcoming.

Senators Fitzgerald and Healy Eames asked about funding for education. The programme for Government promised a significant increase in funding for education. While the increase was not as large as had been hoped in the Government's first budget, we are beginning to see the effects of additional funding in the schools building programme. A request will be issued to determine whether the Minister, who appeared before the House in recent weeks, is willing to make herself available for a further debate in the near future.

Senator O'Toole raised the question of the construction industry and its request to reduce costs. I suggest the social partnership talks, with which the Senator will be familiar — he may also know some of its participants — is a better forum for addressing the issue. I hope an agreement on future pay increases will soon be reached by the social partners.

Senators Alex White, de Búrca, Norris and Coghlan raised the issue of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. I share the Senators' reservations regarding this body. It is important the tribunal has the confidence of members of the public and the Houses of the Oireachtas. The immigration Bill, which will soon come before the House, proposes a set of measures in this area. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is always willing to make himself available to the House. Senators on all sides will have an opportunity to express their concerns about this matter when we discuss the provisions concerning refugees.

Every so often, it is necessary to make a call on whether the Stages of a Bill should be taken in the quickest possible time. Ideally, all Bills should be given maximum time for consideration. Second Stage of the Passports Bill has been ordered for tomorrow and it is proposed to take Committee Stage on Thursday. The House will have a better sense tomorrow of whether further Second Stage discussion will be necessary. I will make the Bills Office aware of Senators' views on the importance of having sufficient time between Second Stage and Committee Stage to give Bills proper consideration.

Senator de Búrca raised the issue of radon gas and highlighted the case of a house where radon gas levels were found to be 25 times higher than acceptable limits. The south and west are most affected by this problem. Measures were introduced to increase take-up of testing for radon gas in households. If the Minister is available to answer questions or to make statements on the issue, it would assist the work of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland and ease the concerns of many householders.

Senators Bradford and Phelan referred to genetically modified foodstuffs. As it happens, I attended a meeting in Hillsborough yesterday on the environment and social policy. The agriculture committee at Stormont held a similar discussion at the same time and unfortunately I could not be in both places at one time. This issue is being addressed by the Government here, the Assembly and the Executive. Four Ministries — the Departments of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Health and Children — are involved in this complex issue. Discussions are ongoing on what will be Ireland's international position on GM foods and how the commitment in the programme for Government can be best addressed. It will be useful to debate the issue in the House when further information becomes available. As Senators will be aware, the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has debated genetically modified foodstuffs.

Senators Leyden, Norris, Hanafin, Ó Murchú, Doherty, Hannigan and Mullen raised current events in the Middle East. All Senators accept that the firing of missiles from Gaza into Israel is unacceptable and that the legitimate actions of a State in defending itself must be proportionate. In light of statements made by the United Nations Secretary General and the European Union, current actions do not appear to reflect the principle of proportionality. The concern of the House will be made known to the Minister and if an opportunity to discuss the issue arises, it will be taken. Unfortunately, it is likely that the events of recent days will continue.

On the school of pharmacy, to which Senator Norris referred, I will raise the issue with the Minister. It would be an industrial dispute if pharmacists were to decide to close their premises. In that case it would not be a matter of the Government's making. It is hoped the scenario the Senator raised can be avoided.

Senator Harris and other speakers referred in general terms to the work of the tribunals. While I do not wish to discuss the work of the Mahon tribunal because the Cathaoirleach has ruled on the matter, I suggest that tomorrow night's debate on establishing an electoral commission presents an opportunity to discuss how political ethics can be addressed by means other than tribunals.

Senators Quinn and Ross raised the issue of over-regulation and noted the number of regulations and regulators. There is scope for a debate, whether on the work of the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority or on the annual reports of the relevant bodies as and when they become available. I will discuss with the Leader whether we can have such a debate in the near future.

Senators Buttimer and McFadden raised men's health and mental health. The Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Jimmy Devins, came before the House recently for a general debate on the issue of mental health, which was probably not sufficiently broad to address all the concerns Senators have raised about this issue. We will request a further debate on the topic.

Senator Doherty requested a debate on Northern Ireland. Senators have proposed several options for a debate, including on North-South bodies or to mark the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. The House should take the opportunity to mark the establishment of the North-South bodies and the Agreement. I will ask whether this is possible.

Senator Doherty also raised the need for Senators to air their views on certain issues facing the west. The Western Development Commission is about to be reappointed. That might be a mechanism to ask questions about matters of regional development in the west.

Senator Phelan asked a similar question on regional development in the south east. I am unsure if Senators would be willing to debate regional development for the country or have separate debates.