Ivana Bacik (Independent)

Senator MacSharry sought the attendance of the Minister for Health in the House to discuss the 300-page HIQA report on the emergency department in Tallaght Hospital. That report is being discussed by the hospital's board today. The Senator also raised more general concerns about patients on trolleys and issues concerning continuing reforms of hospital services. I will speak with the Leader about organising a debate on the health service generally. We can have another question and answer session with the Minister for Health, which I think colleagues find the most useful format, particularly for discussing accident and emergency services.

I agree with Senator Paul Coghlan's welcome for International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia. I believe his sentiment is shared by all of us, and other Senators have also spoken on this issue.

Like Senator Conway, I came to the Order of Business from a meeting of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. That was attended by a range of seven groups, most of which were NGOs, as well as representatives of the Garda Síochána led by a chief superintendent. They were all there to discuss homophobia and transphobia with members of the joint committee, as well as how to tackle homophobic bullying. We welcome the forum that has been convened on that issue today by the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald.

Senator Mullen called for a debate on the BAI report on the media. As he knows, I have already promised such a debate.

Senator Harte referred to leaflets that have been distributed by MEPs from outside Ireland calling for a "No" vote in the forthcoming referendum. I am not sure they are particularly helpful to the "No" side. I am sure that the ULA and Sinn Féin will dissociate themselves from those leaflets.

Senator O'Sullivan wants the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to attend the House for a debate on local government reform. The discussion paper on that topic may not be published in time for us to have such a debate before the end of this session. However, we would all be keen to have that debate early in the autumn session, once we have seen what the recommendations are.