Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

Senator Gilroy referred to the fair deal scheme and the national treatment purchase fund entering into contracts with certain nursing homes that are costing the State over and above what other nursing home contracts cost. The Minister will be in the House on 27 October. As far as I know I have not yet received written questions from anyone who wishes to table questions to the Minister for that date but I would welcome questions in that regard. Senator Gilroy's question is a fair one and should be addressed to the Minister.

Senator Cullinane commented on speaking time. I do not wish to get into it too much but Sinn Féin has three Members and the party is not a group. Those in the party have been facilitated on many occasions. They have the power to ask three questions and were they present, each could ask questions on various items. No precedent was set in the case of the Minister for Finance and the other Minister who was here. We have given time to the Sinn Féin group on some occasions. I am keen to be inclusive and I have been. We gave the Sinn Féin Members Fine Gael Private Members' time to speak last week. I have been more than fair and more than inclusive and I will continue to be so in future.

Senator O'Donovan raised the flooding in Skibbereen and Bandon, including the problems with insurance and the possibility of a universal insurance system. Many families found themselves in devastating circumstances, not only in Skibbereen and Bandon but throughout the country. I will inquire from the relevant Minister whether it is possible to introduce such an insurance system before reverting to the Senator.

Senators O'Keeffe and MacSharry referred to farm payments. I understand that 75% of disadvantaged area payments have been made and a commitment has been given to make further payments by the end of the year. Single farm payments, which will amount to between €1.2 billion and €1.3 billion, will commence in the middle of October, with the objective of having 99% of payments made by the end of the year. It should be noted that the payments commencing in October are advance payments, which places Ireland well ahead of many of our European counterparts in this regard.

Senator Coughlan raised the problems we are experiencing with obesity, an issue which Senator Crown and other Senators also raised in recent weeks. I would welcome a report from the Senator to the House on this issue. Perhaps it would also be possible to have some form of presentation or seminar in a venue such as the audio-visual room. I am sure all Senators would welcome a report on this issue. I will endeavour to have the two relevant Ministers come to the House for a debate if such a report is furnished to us.

Senator Burke raised links between businesses and schools in Cork, which take the form of a mentoring system. This is a good idea which should be raised with the Minister for Education and Skills when he comes to the House in early November. I note the comments of Senator Crown on the former judge.

Senator Landy made a number of points on illegal diesel and raised the issue of the theft of telephone cables. While the latter issue is new to me, it certainly should be brought to the attention of the Minister. If the Senator has any difficulty doing so, he may contact my office and we will progress the matter.

Senator MacSharry raised the issue of local government funding. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, will be before the House for the debate on the dormant accounts fund and we will also debate local government funding, structures and so forth on 9 November. Many Senators have raised such matters in recent weeks. I understand the Minister has come before the House on several occasions. I thank him for his co-operation and agreeing to come to the House again on 9 November to discuss these matters.

Senator Bradford raised the issue of an inquiry into the death of Pat Finucane. The Taoiseach made a clear statement on this matter in the other House yesterday. There is all-party agreement that there should be an inquiry into the death of Mr. Finucane. I understand the Tánaiste will meet the Finucane family for discussions, following which the Government will decide on the next step. The Government agrees there should be an inquiry into Mr. Finucane's death, as the Taoiseach has made clear. I hope that arising from the outcome of the meeting with the Finucane family, we will be able to progress the matter with the British Government. Senator Bradford also raised the issue of a truth and reconciliation commission. I will ascertain from the Government what the position is in that regard.

Senators Ó Clochartaigh and Daly referred to our relationship with Europe. The Government's aim is to regain our economic sovereignty. Its position is that it will continue to try to achieve this objective in the years ahead and I believe it will succeed in that regard.

Senator Wilson referred to Senator Reilly's call yesterday for a debate on decisions regarding the location of headquarters of vocational education committees. I agreed yesterday that the manner in which VECs were notified of the decisions was unacceptable. I referred yesterday to the position in Waterford and indicated my unhappiness with the position regarding the VEC headquarters in the region. Senators will be able to raise the issue with the Minister when he comes before us in early November to have a debate and take questions and answers.

Senator Mullins referred to the need to advance job creation in the area of social enterprise. I fully concur with him that this issue should be investigated with a view to creating further jobs in communities nationwide. We will have the relevant Ministers in the House.