Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I do not propose to take No. 23, motion 9, at present but I will certainly investigate whether we can have a debate on the matter. We had a debate on media standards here in the House not so long ago and I will see whether we can have a further debate in that area.

Senators Mullen, Cullinane, Healy Eames and others referred to the ESRI report. We discussed it on the Order of Business yesterday. The report has been withdrawn, as has been mentioned this morning. Some 67% of those on the live register have total social welfare income of €188 a week or less and this means that the great majority of those on the live register have a significant financial incentive to work. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, has been reforming the social welfare system to ensure that work pays for welfare recipients. I can assure the House that the contents of the ESRI report and the circumstances in which it was withdrawn are matters for the ESRI and that, contrary to what has been suggested by some, the Minister had no role whatsoever in the withdrawal of this report. There is no question of the Minister having any role in the withdrawal of the report.

Senator Mullen also raised the matter of persons defrauding the State, which everybody agrees is wrong. The matter of Deputy Wallace is a matter for the other House and, indeed, for the Revenue Commissioners and other relevant authorities. We look forward to the debate on Senator Mullen's Private Members' Bill tonight to which he alluded.

Senator Paul Coghlan raised the planning review announced yesterday by the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan. The Minister of State published the findings and the recommendations of the planning review report. The report sets out 12 actions which will address the current deficiencies in the planning system. The Minister has given a firm commitment to implement all 12 actions, and that is to be welcomed. In addition, the Minister has announced the planned appointment of an independent planning consultant who will be required to assess all the actions contained in the planning review report and propose any additional measures which are deemed appropriate. The independent consultant will also be tasked with examining a number of broader themes identified in the report and submitting recommendations for the actions. That is positive. When these recommendations and the report are finalised by the independent consultant, we can probably hold a wide-ranging debate on planning in the House.

Senator Byrne proposed an amendment to the Order of Business to bring the Taoiseach to the House. I do not propose to accede to the request but I can inform the House that the Taoiseach will address the House in a matter of weeks.

Senators Landy and Wilson raised the consultation on local government reform and the extension of the timescale from 15 June to 22 June. I have been assured by the Minister that all local authorities were informed at the same time.