Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Prendergast, Boyle, Buttimer and Mullen congratulated the Minister for Justice and Law Reform on the role he played in the passing of the Civil Partnership Bill by the Dáil. I agree with Senator O'Toole that the bishops have a right to make their views known. Yesterday we showed the world that Ireland is a very mature democracy in terms of how the Dáil conducted its affairs and passed the Bill. It is a human rights issue and we all support human rights.

Senators Fitzgerald, Prendergast, Boyle, Coghlan, Callely and Healy-Eames called for a debate on the Ombudsman's report on the HSE. The Minister will be in the House before the summer recess to continue the debate on the health portfolio and the HSE. This is an ideal opportunity for colleagues to bring the report to the Minister's attention, and I am confident she will be forthcoming in her views on the report when she is in the House in the coming days. The work the Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, is carrying out in the interests and the name of Ireland is exemplary and we fully support her. As the Deputy Leader said, there will be a Bill giving additional powers to the position of the Ombudsman in terms of her work and we will fully support that also.

Senators Fitzgerald, Keaveney and Mooney called for a debate on mental health and spoke about the difficulties being experienced in that area. The commitment of the Minister of State, Deputy John Moloney, to mental health has been a shining example of what a Minister of State can do with a portfolio. He got an allocation of €43 million in the budget in difficult times and as Senator Mooney said, €1.6 billion is being spent on services in this area. I have no difficulty in discussing that issue, particularly Senator Keaveney's point about music therapy uplifting the spirits of individuals who are depressed and everything to do with that. I have no difficulty having a debate on that. We have had five debates with the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, present and I have no difficulty having a debate on an ongoing basis with the Minister updating the House on his total commitment to transform the portfolio of mental health and help those who have been left behind over many years.

Senators O'Toole, Boyle and Coghlan raised the issue of rules of protest at the gates of Parliament, especially in regard to family members, and visitors in general, visiting these Houses. I will pass on the colleagues' views to the Superintendent after the Order of Business. It is a healthy democracy where the general public can come here and engage in peaceful demonstrations. However, strong believers must be reminded of the protocols and rules in that regard and that should be done in the capable way we all know the Superintendent can do it.

Senator Coghlan raised the issue of the timeframe of the Central Bank reform Bill. I will meet the leaders after the Order of Business to discuss the remaining times we propose to deal with Bills. This Bill will come before the House before the summer recess. I take the Senator's point that he wishes to have the Bill debated before the Dáil goes into recess also.

Senator Keaveney raised the issue of roaming telephone charges and welcomed the European intervention which continues to reduce European telephone rates. I wholeheartedly welcome that. I fully support the Senator's call and will keep it in mind when we have future debates on communications.

Senator Quinn called for a debate on the effect on tourism of a levy on airlines. I have no difficulty in having such a debate take place. The Senator also raised the need for something to be done about the shortage of doctors. In the roll-over debate on health the Minister will be able to discuss that issue with Senator Quinn and other colleagues when she comes into the House in the coming days.

Senator Buttimer called for a debate on democracy. I gave a commitment on that in the House yesterday and I have no difficulty in the House discussing that after the summer recess.

Senator Dearey outlined to the House the very serious position of the care of 70 young men on reaching adulthood at 18 years of age and the serious concerns of Crosscare about their future. I will do everything I possibly can to contact the offices of the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, in that regard because as Senator Dearey said, these young men are moving from the care of the Health Service Executive to the care of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I agree fully with everything Senator Dearey said and will pass on his views to both Ministers after the Order of Business.

Senator Mullen called for a debate on carers. I have already given Senator Corrigan a commitment on that. There will be a debate on carers in the House before the summer recess. When we consider that there are 161,000 carers who give a great service, I have no difficulty in the House debating this issue. As so many colleagues are interested in making contributions I intend to roll over that debate also.

Senator Healy Eames raised the issue of the price of food. We have all seen the EUROSTAT prices announced this week. They may have been eight to ten months behind but I understand prices are reduced by 8.6% in this area. As I said on the Order of Business the other day, in the past ten months sterling has become stronger than the euro by about 5%. All of these issues are moving in the right direction but food is an essential requirement of the human being to survive and I will be supportive of the Senator's call in terms of doing something about that issue.