Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I will bring the comments made by Members this afternoon to the attention of the Minister for Finance and the Taoiseach.

Senator Bacik asked about the climate change Bill. It remains a priority for the Government. We want to engage in proper consultation on the matter. The Government is totally committed to the introduction of a new climate change Bill next year.

Senators Mullen, Byrne, Quinn, Mooney, Leyden, Coghlan, Ó Murchú and Jim D'Arcy referred to the proposal to close Ireland's embassies in East Timor, Iran and, in particular, the Vatican. It has been decided, following a comprehensive review of spending to which every Department contributed, to close these missions for economic reasons. The Government believes it is important to continue to have strong diplomatic relations with the Vatican. That is why it has decided to nominate a senior official from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as Ireland's ambassador to the Vatican, servicing it from Dublin. I hope that decision can be revisited when the economy improves.

Senators Healy Eames and Ó Clochartaigh expressed their justifiable pride in the election of Michael D. Higgins. I think we all agree with that.

Senator Healy Eames raised the question of the cap in university numbers. She may wish to raise the issue with the Minister for Education and Skills when we have a debate with him in a matter of minutes.

Senator Byrne spoke about the Wildlife (Amendment) Act. We will let the hare sit on that. We will come back to it on another occasion.

Senators Moran and Ó Domhnaill raised the question of septic tanks. The Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 will be taken in the House next week. Senators will have ample opportunity to discuss the matter with the Minister when he is in the House for that debate. Householders will be required to pay a modest registration fee of no more than €50. That will nail all the scaremongering that people like Senator Ó Domhnaill have been engaging in.