Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senator Fitzgerald asked me to pass on her urgent concerns regarding respite care in Cherry Orchard Hospital. I will certainly pass on her views to the Minister. We will take the Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill in the House today. Senators Mullen and Ormonde spoke about end of life care and in particular the good work the hospice movement does. It was suggested that end of life care should be included in the HSE's corporate plan. I fully support the sentiments expressed by the Senators. They may wish to bring it to the attention of the Minister, who will be in the House later this afternoon.

Senator Ormonde called for a debate on the imposition of a blanket ban on recruitment at third level institutions by the HEA. I will certainly pass her views on to the Minister for Education and Science. We will of course allow this debate to take place as early as possible. With so much legislation to be processed, naturally it must take precedence.

Senators Twomey, Coghlan and Daly called on the Minister for Health and Children to become involved in the pharmacy issue, given the dilemma in which small pharmacists find themselves with 1,100 having tendered their resignations to the HSE. Senator Twomey referred to the discounts available to the multiples but not available to small family pharmacists. This is a serious crisis and a serious challenge to the service that is available and has been given for generations by small family pharmacists on a seven-days-a-week basis. I fully support the Senator's sentiments and I intend that we would discuss the matter with the Minister present before the recess and get an update.

Senator Leyden called on me to announce to the House the speaking time for Friday's debate to allow all manifestos to be discussed. Today, his manifesto on the agenda was the Labour Party manifesto. Last week it was the Fine Gael one and I have no doubt he will move along the line of parties in the House. Today the leaders of the groups agreed to have 15 minutes for spokespersons and ten minutes for other Senators. I will extend it if colleagues feel it is not enough. I want to allow all Senators to be able to make their contribution on the IMF and OECD reports in the all-day debate on Friday.

I join Senators Leyden, Norris and other colleagues in welcoming Mairéad Maguire and Derek Graham back from Gaza and congratulate them on the great work they did there.

Senator Hanafin called for a debate on the Shell to Sea campaign. He outlined to the House the €100 million paid for an 18% shareholding, indicating what a wonderful gas find there has been off the County Mayo coast. I have no difficulty in having a debate on the matter after the recess.

Senator Daly called for a debate on the challenges and difficulties of the fishing industry, as have Senators O'Donovan and McCarthy on many occasions.

Senator Daly asked when the planning and development Bill will be before the Houses. It is a Seanad Bill that will be initiated in this House. I understand that hopefully it will be before this House in October.

Senator Quinn pointed out the serious challenge facing all those in employment and all those who have just lost their jobs. I agree with the sentiments he expressed. All the matters he mentioned can be discussed in the House this Friday.

Senator Healy Eames called for an update on the position following the visit to Vietnam of the Minister of State, Deputy Andrews. Some 350 families are depending on a successful outcome to the negotiations, which the Minister of State is endeavouring to achieve. I am sure all Members read yesterday's newspaper article on this matter. I will obtain the up to date position on this matter and will do my utmost to arrange for the Minister of State to come to the House to update us on it before the recess if possible. I will try to get an up to date response on the matter for Senators and advise them of it on tomorrow's Order of Business.