Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

He may well have but the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, was the person Senator Ó Clochartaigh sought.

Senator Mooney raised the issue of visas for Chinese visitors so that when they come they can visit Northern Ireland as well. This matter should be discussed and I understand it is a matter for discussion between the Minister for Justice and Equality and his counterparts in the United Kingdom. Certainly, I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister.

Senator Eamonn Coghlan commented on the positive attitude in the USA towards this country. We are all pleased about this and I am sure St. Patrick's Day will provide a further platform for Ireland to be promoted. I share his comments on the television programme on bare knuckle fighting. It was dreadful to see the programme and what goes on. I note his comments on social welfare. There is probably some abuse of the system but it does not apply to the Traveller community as a whole. Given the large vehicles they drive and the amount of money exchanged in the programme it appears some people probably should be investigated by the Department of Social Protection. However, I suggest the vast majority do not come under the system in the way we saw in the television programme with so much money being exchanged.

Senator MacSharry raised the issue of farm payments. I understood farm payments were well advanced. We had been advised by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine that farm payments were well in advance of those from previous years but I will raise the matter with the Minister. Senator Daly spoke about the publication of the report of the former deputy Garda Commissioner. I will inquire about the position with the Minister for Justice and Equality.