Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

Senators O'Brien and Crown raised the issue of the new national children's hospital and I take on board the points put forward by Senator Crown in that regard. The Minister has stated that the Government is committed to the project and will now proceed to planning stage. The project will proceed as outlined previously.

Senators Bacik, Mullen and Norris raised the redress scheme and the shortfall of €300 million from the religious orders. The Minister for Education and Skills spoke about that yesterday and I am sure the matter will be debated for some time to come.

Senators Bacik, Gilroy and Conway mentioned the despicable phone hacking carried out by the News of the World. The data protection officer here has stated that we have adequate laws in this country to deal with any such instances. I am sure the Minister for Communications will keep his eye on the matter and if there is a need for further legislation, it will be introduced. What happened in the United Kingdom is despicable.

Senators Zappone, Barrett and Mullen spoke about yesterday's Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. I have endeavoured since becoming Leader to have some certainty with regard to the business of the House and to ensure particular times are laid out in the schedule of business for dealing with specific matters such as Second and Committee Stages of Bills. I will put my hand up with regard to the Bill taken yesterday. I thought two hours would be more than sufficient to deal with Committee Stage and when the first 17 or 18 technical amendments were agreed within 40 minutes, I believed the two hours would be more than sufficient. However, when I returned to the House after attending another meeting, it was just before the guillotine was applied. If I had been aware when we set out the business yesterday morning that the Bill would require more than two hours, I would have allowed more time for it. I take the blame for that. It will not happen again with legislation like that we had yesterday, especially Seanad Bills. The Minister has undertaken that we will extend and have an open-ended discussion on Report Stage of the Bill. The Minister will be here for practically the whole evening tomorrow when we will deal with both the Defence (Amendment) Bill and the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. He is prepared to stay here for a considerable time to deal with those matters and deal with the points that Members raise. I will certainly put my hand up and say that we should have amended the order for the Committee Stage debate. I was a minute late, and was not in a position to amend the time so that we could continue with the Committee Stage debate. I will endeavour not to allow it to happen again, especially when Members are interested in discussing the Bills. I realise that it takes time to prepare amendments that Members table for discussion on legislation. Senator Barrett raised the question of legal costs and this is a matter that can be raised on Report Stage of the Bill.

Senator Sheahan raised the problem with credit unions and bondholders and certainly Senator D'Arcy gave a new meaning to burning the bondholder when he informed us of the situation in regard to the postman. This matter must be addressed and we will endeavour to try to get the Minister for Finance to the House before we finish the session.

Senator O'Donovan raised the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2011. I understand that he has no problem with the allocation of two hours for the debate on Second Stage, but with the allocation of time for the Committee and Final Stages. I will see what we can do on that tomorrow. We will have Committee Stage tomorrow. The Minister has agreed to stay in the Chamber as long as possible. We will see if the Report Stage can be ordered for Friday, after the debate on the Health (Amendment) Bill, but I will have to discuss that with the Minister.

Senator MacConghail raised an issue for discussion at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. We met yesterday and we have agreed to have a special meeting next week to discuss the matters which he raised on the leaders of civil society coming to the Seanad and having a petitions committee. That will be dealt with at next week's meeting of the CPP.

Senator D'Arcy raised the need for leadership and solidarity from our partners in Europe and everybody would agree with those sentiments.

In response to Senator Mullen, I think it would be very appropriate that the President of the European Parliament would address this House. It would certainly enhance the status of the Seanad. What happens in the Lower House is not a matter for me.

Senator Burke raised the question of cash for gold shops, where gold is exchanged for cash and the lack of identification and records from these establishments. There have been robberies throughout the length and breadth of the country where gold seems to be the motive for the robberies. I will certainly endeavour to find out from the Minister for Justice and Equality whether he intends to introduce legislation on these establishments. I will revert to the Senator on the matter.

Senator Healy Eames raised No. 2 on the Order Paper, the time that the President of the European Parliament will be in the Seanad. Senator Mooney raised the question of ring-fencing of roads funding. The word ring-fencing came into being during the term of the previous Government. Many people got through those fences.