Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will find out for the House what is happening with the Construction Contracts Bill. The delays are despicable and we should have acted on this matter by now. It has dragged on for far too long and I agree with Members who have raised this matter today.

Senators Leyden and Burke raised the issue of the registration of wills. Senator Leyden has his own opinions on the matter that may or may not be shared by other Members.

Senator Heydon asked about local authority loans and the anomalies that exist with interest rates for local authority loans covered by the Housing Finance Agency. Several other Members have raised the issue of local authority rates for commercial premises. I have been informed the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will be in the House on 22 January to deal with local government reform and I hope these questions can be put to him then.

Senator Barrett asked if the nursing workforce is being managed properly for patient care, and I will raise that issue with the Minister.

Senator Mullins asked about tourism figures. The increase in tourist numbers is to be welcomed and we hope The Gathering next year will lead to a further increase. I assure the Senator we will have a debate on the tourism industry early in the new year.

Senator Reilly asked about unfinished housing estates. On 6 February, the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, will be in the House to outline the position regarding unfinished housing estates. There has been a decrease of 37% in the number of unfinished developments since 2010, with a 27% decrease in the number of vacant units, with 296 developments effectively resolved in the past 12 months. The Minister of State will give further details of progress on 6 February.

Senator Gilroy alluded to the recent Growing Up in Ireland report and outlined some of the problems it noted. We can arrange a debate on the report and on other issues in the new year.

Senator Mooney raised the outrageous remarks made by a Hungarian MP recently and called for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to condemn these comments. I will pass on the Senator's comments to the Tánaiste.

Senator Paul Coghlan welcomed the retention of the Coast Guard stations in Malin Head and Valentia. That was wonderful news to hear. Senator Daly also welcomed this and I am glad to see the two Senators at one on an issue. Peace has reigned in Kerry again and we are delighted to see that.

Senator Norris asked the privacy Bill. The last time I sought information on this Bill for the Senator a couple of months ago, it was not a priority. I will make further inquiries on the matter to find out the Government position on this Bill. We are also aware of the Senator's views on austerity, which he has annunciated on many occasions in the House.

Senator Harte alluded to extreme nationalism, again noting the comments of the Hungarian MP, and also raised the question of rates of houses and commercial premises. That can be raised with the Minister when we discuss local government reform.

Senator Conway called for the clarification of the roles of the public interest directors in banks and we will seek that clarification for the Senator.

Senator Quinn made a number of points on rates and the privacy Bill and raised a question he has asked on a few occasions, which has also been raised in the other House by Deputy Mitchell O'Connor in the House, of AVCs and people getting access to them. We will find out next week if there will be progress on that in the budget. Personally, I feel it would be a good idea for people to be able to gain some access, although not full access, to the contributions they have made to AVCs.

Senator Landy referred to the position regarding the Reserve Defence Forces in Clonmel. I suggest the Senator raise the matter on the Adjournment and have the Minister respond.

Senator Cullinane asked for a debate on alternative budgets. This year, the House has had more debates on various aspects of the budget and specific departmental budgets than in any previous year. While there are serious disagreements between the prospective allies, Sinn Féin and the Fianna Fáil Party, on their budget proposals, we will leave discussions on the matter to the parties in question.