Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If the Senator needs more we will have more and we will certainly have one on 5 December.

Senator Quinn has raised the issue of lower limb amputations, people going blind as a result of diabetes and the non-filling of posts where money has been allocated. That is a serious matter which I will raise with the Minister and invite him to the House to discuss. Why the posts have not been filled where money was allocated is a question I cannot answer. It is dreadful that important posts have not been filled to date.

Senator Wilson raised the issue of student grants. I provided a comprehensive reply on that issue yesterday. The matter has been raised by Senators Walsh, Ó Domhnaill and others. The current situation is not acceptable. The Department has employed extra staff to deal with the matter which I hope will be concluded in order that people get their grants before Christmas. As I mentioned yesterday, this is the first year of operation of Student Universal Support Ireland. We had 66 local authorities and VECs. In recent years we had debates on why people had not received their grants well into January and February. There are major problems where students and their families are badly hit because they have not received the grants but the Minister is addressing the issue as best he can.

Senator Colm Burke raised the issue of briefings on the Irish Presidency of the EU and the proactive role being played by Ireland in Europe. That role should be enunciated. During the six months of the Irish Presidency of the EU, I propose that our MEPs address the House, followed by questions on their areas of responsibility in Europe. That is a prominent role the House can play. Most Members have welcomed that initiative.

The issue of promissory notes and the banking strategy was raised by Senator Gilroy. While we have had a number of debates on the matter, I am sure we will have further debates on it.

Senator Mooney raised the important question of CIE. I understand a Bill dealing with Córas Iompair Éireann will be brought before the House next week when there will be ample opportunity for the Senator to raise the matters he raised today.