Alan Kelly (Labour)

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to come to the House to debate mining in this country and particularly the after-effects of the mining industry in the past 50 or 60 years. There are a number of distressing stories that this House, and the Oireachtas, need to consider. People's lives are being affected by toxic lead and other substances that were allowed to enter the air in a number of areas throughout the country. I refer especially to the Silvermines area. An environmental clean-up is required. The by-products of the mining industry are affecting people's lives detrimentally and this needs to be addressed. I ask the Leader to facilitate a discussion on this. There are other examples of the worrying after-effects of mining, such as those affecting the Ballingarry miners, some of whom have been waiting up to 30 years for compensation for the effects of their work. Their lives have been detrimentally affected and a number of them are no longer with us. I hope the Leader can facilitate a discussion on this.

I request the opportunity to ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what policies are in place for inward investment through IDA Ireland. I recently attended a meeting with this organisation and I was shocked by its statistics on the numbers of jobs throughout the country and the major differences in the areas of focus for inward investment. Obviously, investment is aligned with the national spatial strategy. However, we must be realistic and accept that communities in areas that do not have a hub or gateway are still hoping for inward investment that will provide jobs. It was confirmed to me that the board of IDA Ireland is to align investment with the spatial strategy. If this is the case, there are a number of areas, including some not unfamiliar to me and the Cathaoirleach, that will not benefit. Is there a need for the IDA and the Government to focus on commuter infrastructure, as I was told at this meeting? We have been told commuting is now a natural way of life, which is something I do not accept. If this is the case, the Government could at least come out and say it.

Will the Leader ask the Minister for Health and Children if and when the Teamwork report on acute hospitals will be published? I have my doubts it will ever be published as it is such a politically sensitive issue. I do not want to see the report being introduced by stealth as the Hanly report was. Perhaps the Leader will reply to me on this. I am concerned about accident and emergency, elderly care and surgical procedures in these hospitals and I am concerned the Teamwork report will be brought in by stealth.

As one of the Opposition spokespersons on tourism, I wish to be associated with the good wishes expressed by other Members towards the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy Séamus Brennan. I wish him well in his retirement.