Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Darragh O?Brien and many other Senators, including Senator O?Keeffe, Senator Mullins, Senator Colm Burke, Senator Healy Eames and Senator Walsh, raised their concerns about the recent case in Galway of Savita Halappanavar who, unfortunately, lost her life. I will bring those concerns to the Minister and to the Leader. It is imperative that we get the facts about exactly what happened. Women attending University Hospital Galway and other hospitals around the country are concerned that procedures and processes are in place to ensure that something like that does not happen again. As many Members have said, it is a very sensitive issue. The Government is committed to establishing the facts. Yesterday, the three medical experts from University Hospital Galway were removed in light of concerns expressed by Savita?s husband and family about their involvement in the inquiry. I will bring the concerns of Members about the chairman to the Government. The chairman of the inquiry is an expert in the field. He is internationally recognised as having expertise in investigating such situations. That is why he was appointed to chair the investigation.

The Minister indicated that he intends to bring the report of the expert group on the A, B and C case to Cabinet next Tuesday, 27 November and to publish it afterwards. I am sure we will have an opportunity to debate the long-awaited report. We look forward to it.

On the issue of home help raised by Senator Darragh O?Brien, the Minister has said continually that home help will be given on the basis of need. If need is established then home help will be provided. Like other Members on both sides of the House I have brought particular cases to the attention of the local HSE office when there is concern that the home help allocation to a family or individual has been reduced unnecessarily. The hours will be allocated on the basis of need. Senator O'Brien asked me to give an assurance that there will be no cuts in that regard in the budget. I cannot give it. Nobody knows the content of the budget. The allocation to the HSE as a whole will be provided in the budget. We will await the details on budget day and we will have an opportunity to debate the contents of the Budget Statement in the House.

A number of Senators raised the issue of Gaza ? Senator O?Keeffe, Senator Daly, Senator Norris, Senator Quinn, Senator Mooney and Senator Ó Murchú. The situation there is tense. Residents on both sides have experienced casualties; in the Gaza Strip and on the Israeli side. I accept that we must support a diplomatic solution to the conflict. I acknowledge the important role Egypt is playing. It will be key to finding a solution. I hope the efforts of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban, who was in the area yesterday and the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, who is there today, will bring about a ceasefire. While none of us knows exactly what is going on I welcome the role Egypt is playing. We hope there will be a ceasefire in the immediate future.

Senator Barrett spoke about ash dieback. We had an important debate last week on the issue. I will bring his point to the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, about this country becoming a nursery for disease-free trees. I do not know whether oak trees are next. A serious situation could arise. The Senator?s point is interesting. We are an island and when foot and mouth disease broke out that was an important element in containing the spread of the disease.

Senator Kelly referred to SUSI. Through the Leader, I will bring his concerns to the Minister and ask for an update on a regular basis on the level of grants that have been approved and the number of them that have been paid, which is the most important issue. There is much concern, in particular at this time of year. Students and their families need grants so they can move on to the next term. The payment of grants is an issue of concern to them and we will ensure there is feedback on the progress in the area.

Senators Higgins, Mullins and Conway were concerned about counterfeit goods, the black market and the black economy. Requests were made to bring the issue to the attention of the Minister for Justice and Equality and that he would ensure the Garda is vigilant and alert. The issue must be highlighted on a regular basis. We share the concerns. I will bring them to the attention of the Minister, through the Leader.

Senator Quinn referred to the Love Irish Food Survey. I read the article to which he referred with interest. The Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation previously received a submission from Guaranteed Irish, which is a very important authentication. Not every product can qualify. Perhaps we should have a debate on the issue. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, was present in the House yesterday for a debate on job creation. The retail area is suffering and the more we can highlight the necessity for people to buy Irish goods the better. Like Senator Quinn, I welcome the Brighter Evenings Bill. I look forward to progress in the area, in particular given that the United Kingdom is making changes, which was always an obstacle to change in this country previously.

Senator Cullinane called for a debate on alternative budget proposals. Last week we had a debate on the economy in which a total of 11 Senators participated. We previously had a debate on 8 November on public sector reform and public expenditure to which 12 Senators contributed. We will have an opportunity in the coming weeks to debate financial proposals and we will have a chance to discuss alternative budget proposals also. He also called for a specific discussion on wealth tax. In last year?s budget a number of taxes were increased. Capital gains tax, capital acquisitions tax and deposit interest retention tax were all increased, the former to 30%. They could be considered a tax on wealth. We can look forward to finally hearing details on the proposed property tax, which could also be considered a wealth tax.

I am aware of the Waterford Gives a Shirt campaign and today?s demonstration, which Senator Landy raised. I will bring his comments to the attention of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan.

The Minister intends his proposals to ensure greater efficiency and better service for the people. I will convey the Senator's comments to him.

Senators Terry Leyden and Colm Burke commented on the Savita Halappanavar case. I will make the Minister aware of the concerns of the House in this regard.

Senator Jimmy Harte also commented on the issue of a wealth tax, while Senator Paschal Mooney stressed the importance of consumers purchasing Irish-made goods.

Senators Fidelma Healy Eames and Martin Conway spoke about the Galway issue. They are also concerned that a consultant who has hepatitis C is working in a hospital. I am not sure of the details of that case or the procedures involved, but I will bring their concerns to the attention of the Leader. I am sure there will be a response from the HSE on the matter.

In reply to Senator Marc MacSharry, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is a regular visitor to the House. He intends to come again in the near future when the Senator's concerns can be raised directly with him. I suggest the Senator submit an Adjournment matter and he may receive a direct response which may be of assistance.

Senator Jim Walsh spoke about the inquiry into the case in Galway. It is hoped there will be a speedy resolution and that answers will emerge. It is important that the Government move forward on the issue. I will bring the concerns of Senators to the attention of the Minister.