Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senator Bradford is a very experienced parliamentarian and we congratulate him for his judgment. I offer him every good wish on behalf of all Members and, of course, to the Deputy in question.

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, Callely, Coffey, Feeney, Glynn, Prendergast, Cummins, Mullen, Buttimer, John Paul Phelan and Bradford called for a debate on health issues. The Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, will be in the House on Wednesday, 3 June for such a debate. I intend to structure it in such a way as to allow a debate on health services under the jurisdiction of the HSE.

Many have called for a special debate on carers, which I will organise. I have congratulated all those involved who do great work. They all deserve a gold medal and money could not reward them. It is a no brainer that they offer value for money to the State. They are our loved ones and we owe them everything in the world. We should, therefore, do everything we can to assist them.

As the Minister of State with responsibility for older people, Deputy Áine Brady, will be coming before the House, I will have no problem in arranging a debate on the elderly. We will now have three debates taking place on the health portfolio. Calls are made frequently for the HSE to be divided up because it has become so big. This is something which should be seriously examined.

Senator O'Toole spoke about the challenges presented to buskers by organised gangs. Those who have entertained us on the streets of our cities, towns and villages for generations are part of who we are and I would like to see their continued promotion in an orderly fashion. The biggest stars in the world started off as buskers. I will convey the serious concerns of the House on the issue to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Senator Norris spoke about the Civil Partnership Bill 2009. I will update the House later in the week on the timeframe for the later Stages of the Bill.

Senators McFadden and Glynn referred to Loughloe House in Athlone. I have already said the Minister for Health and Children will be in the House on 3 June and that there will be debates on older people and carers.

Senators Mullen and John Paul Phelan spoke about the Passport Office giving a ten-day timeframe to those who are representing our country as delegates. They should be given consideration in this regard because they are the representatives of our country. I call on everyone concerned to make that happen in order that they can represent the nation as they will do so well.