Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Perhaps I have said enough about colleagues' books.

Senator Reilly raised the very sad news of the 90 jobs lost in a poultry factory in Cavan and the questions about the viability of the sector. The Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, will come to the House on 23 November for a debate on jobs and it is something that should be raised with him then. The agrifood issues might also be raised in a matter on the Adjournment for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney. He has come to the House to discuss agrifood issues previously and we can arrange for him to do so again.

Senator Healy Eames was one of many Senators who expressed condolences to the families of the road traffic victims at the weekend, particularly the Gilmore family. We all share in this. It is an unthinkable, horrific tragedy. It is a good idea to have a debate on road safety. Senator Healy Eames also raised the prospects for an Irish bank deal and the very fast-moving comments made at the weekend. This was also raised by many other colleagues. It is unfortunate if people in the Opposition appeared to show glee at the apparent setback after Chancellor Merkel's original comment at the end of last week.

Appearing to show glee at that setback is misplaced. It is very welcome that we have seen a turnaround since then. The Taoiseach said that he had a very good conversation with Chancellor Merkel on Sunday evening during which she registered a very genuine appreciation of the steps the Irish people are taking to turn around the economic situation and her full support for the efforts we are making to get back to the markets. That support is well expressed in the joint statement - a most unusual joint statement after a European Council meeting - issued after the conversation. The statement makes it clear that the commitments made to Ireland at the end of June stand and this vital work will be taken forward by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, and his colleagues in the European group. The Chancellor was also pleased to put on record her recognition that Ireland is a special case. I noticed gibes and jokes from the other side about that. Senator Higgins rightly pointed out that it is quite positive to be referred to as a special case in this context and we should all welcome it because it certainly signifies ongoing support for the bank deal both sides hope will be concluded. It is also noteworthy that the Taoiseach had an excellent meeting with President Hollande in Paris in which the latter made clear his support for the Irish case. Indeed, it has been made very clear all along that it is also supported by Italy and Spain, so it is an ongoing issue.

Senator Leyden requested that the Tánaiste come to the House to discuss Syria and Lebanon. We had a recent debate with the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Costello, who spoke specifically about that and we can certainly arrange it again. I join Senator Leyden in offering condolences on the death of the former Palestinian ambassador. I did not know about that. I met him and I share the Senator's appreciation of him.

I dealt with the issue raised by Senator Mullen in respect of road safety and ongoing diplomatic efforts to get a deal that refers to legacy debt.

Senator Moran referred to a particular issue in County Louth on which I do not propose to comment. I do not know the issue. The Senator asked for the Minister of Health to come to the House and I can certainly check with the Leader about that. I know the Minister will be in the House tomorrow to deal with the Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill, but I know the Senator wants him to come to the House to discuss the Neary issue and Patient Focus. Again, it might be a suitable matter to raise on the Adjournment.

Senator Norris expressed support for the idea of a larger photo call involving a larger number of Oireachtas Members. A Senators' photo call on a cross-party basis might be a good idea. I do not think there would be any difficulty under the McKenna judgement in respect of having that. I share Senator Norris's view that the problem is likely to be low turnout. We must confront that and develop and generate a debate to ensure the turnout is high on 10 November.

Senator Colm Burke spoke about the national children's hospital. I understand the report of the group chaired by Dr. Frank Dolphin was presented to the Minister for Health on Friday, 8 June and he has been considering it and intends to bring it to Cabinet shortly. I think we all agree on the need to ensure a speedy resolution to the process to build a national children's hospital.

Senator MacSharry raised the issue of the diplomatic efforts about which we spoke and specifically sought a debate in this House. The Minister of State for European Affairs, Deputy Creighton, will attend the House on Thursday after the Order of Business for statements following the European Council meeting and this is the appropriate time in which to raise these issues.

Senator Moloney raised the issue of home helps, which I have dealt with, and the issue of the HSE rule on paramedics, which I agree is of major concern and could lead to some very dangerous situations. When we have a wide-ranging debate on health, it should certainly be raised with the Minister and indeed could be raised directly with him by way of communication.

Senator Noone looked for a debate on the McKenna judgement, which is a good idea.

Senator Cullinane spoke about unsustainable debt levels and the EU deal. These are difficult and complex negotiations which are ongoing but all of us on both sides of the House want to see a deal concluded.

Senator Higgins raised a specific issue relating to students in Athenry. I have sympathy for the situation the students are in where they are experiencing delays in Garda vetting procedures. This issue might be raised by way of a matter on the Adjournment.

Senator Wilson welcomed the JobBridge report, about which we have spoken, and raised the issue of the sale of drugs over the Internet. We may have a debate on that issue. The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy White, was in the House last week and I am sure he would be willing to come back to discuss that issue.

In respect of the agrifood issue, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, will attend the House in the 23 November.

Senator Conway raised the issue of the clock going back, on which, as he knows, the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality has had hearings. We must certainly check progress in respect of that. A change is under contemplation. He also commended the Taoiseach on the choreography of the ongoing diplomatic efforts to ensure a bank deal.

I am conscious that many Members left the House and were not here for the Leader's response. I responded courteously to every single person, regardless of whether they were here or not, but I know the Leader expressed concern to me very recently about the practice of making a statement and leaving the House on the Order of Business. I think he will reinstitute a practice of not responding to colleagues who have left the House before his response.