Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Gilroy also made the point that funding at grassroots level for sporting organisations is of paramount importance. I am sure we are all agreed on that.

Senators Mullins, Walsh and Noone raised the issue of private pension schemes, the report on which was published yesterday. The Minister, Deputy Burton, is to be complimented on commissioning the report on pensions. In addition, the Minister stated that as the report is a fact-finding study, which is technical and complex in nature, she would like to give interested individuals and bodies an opportunity to consider it and its recommendations, following which she would welcome their response during the next three months. The Government will then propose policy and regulatory action as necessary. I agree with Members that we should have a debate on the report during that three-month period. I will ask the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, to come into the House for such a debate. I am sure the Minister would welcome comments from Members during that debate.

Senator Crown spoke about the situation in Italy in terms of scientists being held responsible for not forecasting earthquakes, which is crazy. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Prior to the Order of Business, I had a meeting with group leaders. Members will be pleased to note that we have agreed an all-party motion on the Bahraini doctors, which we hope to include on tomorrow's agenda. It is a matter about which we are all concerned and one which should not be let lie.

I will bring to the attention of the Minister for Health the attitude of the tobacco industry and the need for him to press the matter at European level, in particular during Ireland's presidency of the EU.

Senator Harte also raised the issue of sports funding. I will try to arrange that debate. Senator Cullinane raised the issue of the globalisation fund. I appreciate his positive comments in that regard. I am sure we all share the view that the workers of TalkTalk should receive the necessary training to allow them return to the workforce. I compliment Senator Colm Burke who, as a former MEP, was the first to push for access to the globalisation fund by Ireland following the situations in Limerick and at Waterford Crystal.

The issue of training and youth unemployment has been raised on a number of occasions by Senator Reilly. I agree that we should have that debate. Professor Pissarides will be in the House on Thursday, 8 November to discuss youth unemployment in Europe. I am glad an opportunity has been afforded to us to discuss this important issue which has been called for by Senator Reilly on a number of occasions.

Senators Comiskey and Hayden raised the issue of an appeals process for social welfare benefits and the unacceptable delays in this regard in the system, including in respect of the carer's allowance and invalidity pensions and so on. The Minister for Social Protection will be in the House soon, at which time Senators can raise this issue with her. There is no point in Members making these points on the Order of Business. They should relay their points to the Ministers in question when they are in the House.

Senator Leyden referred to the situation of a convicted rapist and murderer and made outrageous comments in relation to the Minister for Justice and Equality. I am disappointed the Senator has not withdrawn those outrageous comments.