Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

Members from all sides of the House are very energised this morning. There were quite a number of speakers. Senator Darragh O'Brien spoke about the Keane report. The Minister for Finance was in the House last week, and he took questions from everyone who wished to ask them. He will be in the House next Wednesday and possibly Thursday to deal with the Central Bank and Credit Institutions (Resolution)(No. 2) Bill 2011, so Members may have an opportunity to raise some of the points made today. We will try to arrange a separate debate on the report as soon as possible and see whether the Minister for Finance or the Minister of State with responsibility for housing will take it.

In respect of assisting people with mortgage difficulties and the promises made in the programme for Government, I remind Members on the other side of the House that the all proposals will be made known to people on budget day. That will provide the first opportunity for the Government to outline its budgetary process and whether there will be any cuts in any area. I can assure Members that to raise €4 billion, there will be considerable cuts in practically every Department.

Senator Bacik requested a further debate in six months on a prostitution law. We will certainly request the Minister for Justice and Equality or the Minister of State at that Department, Deputy Lynch, to come back into the House at that stage.

The Cathaoirleach made a ruling on the issue raised by Senator Byrne, and as far as I am concerned, the matter is closed. If Members wish to raise it on the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, CPP, the chairman will decide whether it can be re-opened.

Senator Kelly, Senator Daly and others spoke about commercial rates and a possible amendment to the Valuation Act 2001. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will be in the House in early November, and I am sure that is a matter he would like to discuss with Members.

Senator Quinn spoke about people accessing a portion of their pension fund and the possibility of introducing an electronic card for social welfare recipients to purchase goods in the country. We can raise these matters with the Minister for Social Protection, and there have been several requests for her to come into this House. She has confirmed that she will be in the House for statements, questions and answers on 17 November, so there will be ample opportunity for Members to raise the many points which they raised today on social welfare, including possible cuts.

Senator Conway highlighted the 2001 World Health Organisation report on people who are visually impaired, and the fact that today is world vision day. I will certainly inquire about the establishment of a working group and I will get back to him on that. We certainly appreciate his comments on accessing the Order of Business electronically on an iPad. As I stated yesterday to Senator Zappone, every facility should be made available for Members to access information, and I am glad that is being provided for Senator Conway and other Members in a similar position.

Senator Daly requested that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade be called into the House to deal with the backlog of submissions on EU legislation. This point was made by Senators Walsh and Burke. The House should be used more to deal with EU legislation, and we will certainly investigate the possibility of doing that.

Senator Gilroy spoke about waiting times for people with scoliosis and other spinal deformities. The Minister for Health will be in the House on 27 October and it should be raised with him.

Senator Mullen's issue was discussed in the Private Members' motion yesterday and decided upon, so I do not think there is any need to comment on that.