Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I understand a report on the matter is due to be published in coming weeks when I hope the House will be able to engage in a debate on the matter and the Senator and others will be in a position to raise with the Minister the issues about which they are concerned.

Senator Feargal Quinn referred to the sale of Aer Lingus. I agree with him about reports on the sale of State assets and the need to put in place safeguards such as that to which he referred in the context of the State retaining a majority stake in such assets. There may be some further information on this matter when the troika issues its report this afternoon. I agree with the Senator that Aer Lingus is a national icon and that we need to guard the national interest in respect of it.

Senator Cáit Keane referred to National Diabetes Day which I am sure everyone agrees is a commendable initiative. The Senator also raised the issue of mandatory testing for diabetes. However, such testing would have to be carried out with the consent of patients. It would be interesting, from the point of view of prevention, if GPs were requested to ask patients, as a matter of routine, whether they would like to be tested for diabetes.

Senator Denis O'Donovan spoke very eloquently about the tragedy at Union Hall. Our good wishes go to the families of the men who sadly and tragically were lost. Many Senators expressed their sympathy and offered condolences on the Order of Business yesterday. I am sure, however, we all share Senator Denis O'Donovan's concerns and echo his commendation for the search and rescue teams operating at Union Hall and the members of the local community.

Senator Susan O'Keeffe referred to last night's Private Members' debate on rural transport and helpfully pointed to the link between that debate and the public consultation that had taken place in this Chamber on the human rights of older people. The Senator also highlighted the need for joined-up thinking on rural transport, isolation and the need to protect older people.

Senators Jim Walsh, Deirdre Clune, Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, Marc MacSharry, Fidelma Healy Eames, Michael Mullins and Jimmy Harte sought a debate on the household broadcasting charge with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, who has indicated that he is contemplating the introduction of such a charge. A number of Senators referred to it as a new or additional charge, but the Minister has made it clear that it would not be a new charge. It would replace the existing TV licence fee and could prove to be lower. On "Morning Ireland" the Minister referred to the sum of €25 million lost each year because people did not pay the TV licence fee. He also referred to the fact, as did a number of Senators, that many people accessed public broadcasting services through means other than television, namely, via the Internet and other new forms of media, and indicated that this would have to be taken into account. His proposal seems sensible, but I agree with colleagues that it should be the subject of a debate in the House. The Minister has agreed to come before us to engage in a general debate on issues relating to his brief when this matter could be raised with him. A specific date has not yet been arranged for that debate, but the Minister has committed to come before the House for it.

Senators Terry Leyden and Marc MacSharry requested a debate on the Mahon tribunal. I certainly support them in that regard because it would be useful to engage in such a debate. It must be pointed out that the fees about which Senator Terry Leyden was so critical were set by the previous Government. I am also highly critical of them, but I will not rise to the provocation directed my way. Some might interpret the Senator's comments about my professional status as a form of insult, but I will not do so.