Seanad debates

Tuesday, 15 May 2012

3:00 pm

Photo of Ivana BacikIvana Bacik (Independent)

I thank the Senator. Senator O'Brien first raised the issue of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. All of us welcome the fact that the assembly met for the first time in the Seanad yesterday when the Taoiseach addressed it. The Senator also asked for the Taoiseach to attend the Chamber. He has asked this of the Leader previously and I understand the Leader has taken that up. I will pursue it with him further.

With regard to the pyrite committee, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has commissioned a report on pyrite. He is not interfering with the work of the expert panel he established to compile the report and he expects the report to be published early next month. That is somewhat later than originally anticipated but he is of the view that it is better to have a fully comprehensive report than to rush it.

The Senator again sought a debate on Garda stations and policing generally. The Leader is working with the Minister for Justice and Equality to arrange a wide ranging debate on crime, justice and policing matters. As soon as a date has been secured in the Minister's diary, we will inform the House. That has been followed up since last week. I cannot accede to the Senator's amendment to the Order of Business seeking this debate today, given an extended debate on mortgage arrears, which he has sought for along time, is scheduled.

Senator Coghlan also raised the issue of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly and sought statements on it. I have followed that up since he raised it. That is how efficient I am but the Minister is not available on Thursday, when I had hoped to arrange the debate. I will speak to the other group leaders following the Order of Business. We could have a debate without a Minister or we could have the debate next week for an hour. I will follow that up.

Senator Quinn raised the issue of the missing children's hotline. I share his concerns that it is not operational yet. Last October, the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, informed the House that funding had been secured but that there were some logistical issues. However, we had all hoped it would be up and running by now. I will follow that up.

All of us would agree with the Senator's comments on people power in Drogheda and the issue of the cruise ship to ensure visitors would come to Drogheda and bring enhanced tourism benefits to the area.

Senator Leyden raised issues about RTE. If he has an issue with RTE, he might write directly to it. I am not aware of the settlement he mentioned.

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