Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

Senator Mooney, the Acting Leader of the Opposition, raised the question of the Seanad meeting for two days this week and spoke about the need for more legislation to come to the House. I work with the legislation and the Ministers that are available at any point in time. The Seanad returned on 11 January, although it would normally be having its first day back today. We are well ahead of what happened heretofore in that regard. I agree that we need more legislation, but we have three Bills on the agenda for today and tomorrow. Senators can expect the Seanad to sit for three and indeed four days for the remainder of this session, because legislation is beginning to come through from committees. I have also asked Ministers to initiate more Bills in the House, and I hope that will be the case. Tomorrow we are taking the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011, which is being initiated in this House, so we are making considerable progress on that matter.

Senator Mooney also spoke about the report on the cost of pharmaceuticals, which was also mentioned by Senators Quinn, Coghlan and others. Certainly, the cost of patented drugs in comparison to generic drugs is frightening. Perhaps we can arrange a debate on that report with the Minister in early course.

Senator O'Donovan complimented the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, on his proposals with regard to immigrant visas, which are aimed at assisting in job creation, and Senators Noone, Quinn and others also raised that issue. I believe the regulations will come into place in March. Perhaps we could arrange for the Minister to come in here and explain what he proposes. I am sure he would be more than willing to do so.

Senator van Turnhout raised quite a number of items on the Order of Business. We will be debating our Private Members' motion this evening. With regard to the six-month consultation process on the criminalisation of the purchase of sex, I will certainly contact the Minister and ask him what progress has been made. The Senator also mentioned the reinstatement of Louise Bayliss, which we all welcome, and outlined the need for further whistleblowing legislation, as did Senator Crown. Senator Quinn mentioned generic drugs and the issue of immigrant visas. He also mentioned the report on the sale of alcohol, which was announced yesterday and deals with the sale of alcohol in supermarkets, garages and so on. I will try to organise a debate on the report in the House and I will contact the relevant Minister with a view to doing so.

Senator Sheahan mentioned the cost of special managers in credit unions. It is absolutely disgraceful that, as he mentioned, amounts of over €400 per hour can be paid to such special managers. The Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Hayes, will be in the House within the next week or two, and perhaps Senator Sheahan can address his concerns to him at that time.

Senator Donovan mentioned the problems arising in maternity hospitals because of the number of midwives who are retiring. This can be raised with the Minister, Deputy Reilly, when he is here to discuss the health service plan. Senator Landy outlined the changes in the processing of medical cards, which are welcome, although there are still a number of problems in that regard. However, I am delighted to hear that the people in the Primary Care Reimbursement Service will come to the House to explain what is happening in the next couple of weeks.

Senators Mac Conghail, Cullinane, Gilroy and others spoke about the payment of €1.25 billion to bondholders. The Government's current priority is to renegotiate our bailout agreement with the troika to reduce the cost of the bank bailout. The rewards of success in this area are far greater than any knee-jerk reaction of refusing payment of Anglo Irish Bank bonds.