Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

Many Senators, led by the Leader of the Opposition, raised the issue of nursing homes and the HIQA report. What we have learned from this and similar reports during the years is appalling. As we have a debate arranged on the fair deal scheme next week, we will incorporate the issue of nursing homes also and bring in the Minister to deal with the subject. It will provide an opportunity for the concerned Members to debate the contents of the report in the House.

Senators Darragh O'Brien and Thomas Byrne spoke about provisions included in the social welfare Bill which will be debated in the House in two weeks. Therefore, everybody will have an opportunity to raise these issues again.

I compliment Senator Martin McAleese on his maiden speech. I certainly share many of his ideas and those of other Senators which I hope we can address fairly soon. I look forward to engaging in dialogue with Senator Martin McAleese and others on them. We need to freshen the House and use the energy in it to focus on these issues. Senator Feargal Quinn raised a similar theme in referring to the need for active citizenship. I will have a word with the Taoiseach on the matter. Obviously, we do not have the Taoiseach in the House very often, but I think he would be willing to come here. I will raise the matter with him.

Senator Colm Burke spoke about the deficit in the numbers of junior doctors this year and the centralised application process. I will raise this issue with the Minister for Health, as it presents a major problem which must be addressed.

Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell made her maiden speech. I hope we will hear her melodic voice in this Seanad in the coming years.

I am all in favour of change for the good of the House. Standing Orders 92 to 95, inclusive, deal with the setting up of a petitions committee, but the House has never acted upon them. They allow a petitions committee of the Seanad to engage in dialogue with the public and to then report back to the House. We should get such a committee up and running as a first step. We can be the catalyst for dialogue between the House and the public, which is what many Members want. We will examine the matter at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to see how we can set up such a committee and I will be willing to discuss it with any Member who wishes to do so. I am certainly in favour of its establishment.

Senator David Cullinane spoke about the taxi industry and housing. We will look at having a debate on these subjects with the relevant Ministers in the House.

Senator Michael Comiskey raised an agricultural issue. Perhaps he should seek to raise it on the Adjournment.

Senators Averil Power and Kathryn Reilly raised the issue of tax rights to be provided for in a finance (No.3) Bill. As the programme for Government lists this as a priority, I will try to find out what the status of the Bill is and when it is due to be taken in the House. The Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 will be before the House next week, on which I have arranged for a three hour debate. As many Senators have asked questions about the economy, there will be an opportunity for them to debate them at that time. By extending the time allocated for the debate to an unprecedented three hours, I hope everybody who wants to do so will have an opportunity to speak on the Bill.

Senator John Gilroy raised the issue of suicide, on which I have agreed to arrange a debate. Senator Mary White, among others, has raised it previously.

Senators Labhras Ó Murchú and Jim Walsh spoke about the status of the historic buildings on Moore Street. I will try to get an update on the matter and get back to them next week.

Senator John Kelly spoke about wind energy projects and An Bord Pleanála, the independence of which has been a topic for debate on many occasions in the House. We will arrange to have the relevant Minister in the House in the next few weeks for a debate on wind energy.