Ivana Bacik (Independent)

It was not quite disowning, perhaps. Senator Mullen also raised the reduction in the number of TDs and asked about a referendum in that regard. It is a matter that will go before the constitutional convention that is to be established under the programme for Government. The constitutional convention will consider all aspects of electoral and political reform, which is an issue the Department of the Minister, Deputy Howlin, will take charge of once it is up and running, which is another reason to have it in place.

Senator Mullins raised the issue of the bonus culture and the Healy-Rae issue, with which I have dealt. He also asked for an examination of the cost of providing copies of the tribunal reports to all Senators. I agree with the Senator that we should consider this matter. I am not sure who took the decision to circulate hard copies to all Members, which was an unusual decision as we normally get them in electronic form. It is an issue we should take up, perhaps with the communications unit in the Houses.

Senator Reilly raised the issue of EirGrid and asked for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to come to the House. We may have those Ministers to the House on legislation, if not in the coming weeks, then perhaps in September. As I said, the schedule is heavy with legislation up to the end of July.

Senator Conway asked about the constitutional convention, of which the Department of the Minister, Deputy Howlin, will be in charge.