Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

-----dealing with consumer protection. I am sure it will be welcome on all sides of the House. Senator Leyden also raised the question of below-cost selling of alcohol. This is a matter that the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Shortall, has dealt with on several occasions. I am sure she would be willing to come to the House and discuss the matter again.

Senator Cullinane mentioned the payment of a large sum to a single bondholder at Anglo Irish Bank. The Government is in constant negotiations with our EU partners and the troika with regard to renegotiating the bailout, with considerable success, as everyone will recognise. Senator Sheahan mentioned sample papers for Project Maths and Irish. This can be raised with the Minister for Education and Skills when he is in the House next week to deal with Committee Stage of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Bill. Senator Sheahan also expressed concern that the Governor of the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator had given answers to the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform that were in conflict to statements they made elsewhere. This is something that should be raised with the relevant committee. If the people in question are giving one statement to a committee and another to a collection of bankers, it is a serious matter which the Senator should address to the committee.

Senators Walsh and Ó Murchú asked for an all-party motion on the Barron report. I would certainly be amenable to the placing of such a motion on the Order Paper and I will try to address this at an early opportunity. Similarly, there is the question of a public inquiry into the death of Pat Finucane. Last week, the Taoiseach made a clear statement in the other House on this matter in which he outlined his concerns. The family met the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade only last week and Senators can be assured the Government will continue to pursue this matter with the British Government until it is solved.

On the issue of EU scrutiny, I agreed last week with Senator Walsh that there should be more such scrutiny in this House. I am working on this and I hope we will see some progress. Senator Jim D'Arcy spoke about New Beginnings. I compliment the Senator on his invitation to the group to address any interested Members in the audio-visual room at 7 p.m. today.

Senator Crown suggested that we introduce a ten-year health service bond. This is something I will certainly raise with the Ministers for Finance and Health. Senator Coghlan mentioned the closure of Garda stations. This is something we can address when the Minister for Justice and Equality comes to the House. There are many rumours circulating. We will arrange a discussion with the Minister for Justice and Equality to deal with the issues.

Senator Rónán Mullen complimented the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, on the €9 million winter tourism marketing promotion. The 12.5% increase in tourism numbers in the first seven months of the year is welcome. This significant turnaround is a result of the policies the Government is implementing. I hope it will continue.

Senator Mary Ann O'Brien called for a debate on education and skills. The Minister will be in the House next week for a debate on education issues. We all recognise the difficulties experienced by visually impaired students.