Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Nor will I remind its members that over two budgets, there was a cut of ¤16.50 per week for widows as well, which cost ¤850 a year. I am not going to remind the Members opposite of that but they can certainly raise the other question in the more than ample time of three and a half hours allocated to Committee Stage.

Senator Bacik called for an audit of the provision of respite care. I think that should be done and I am sure the Minister will take those suggestions on board.

A number of Members, including Senator Bacik raised questions on the Government decision on the expert group. The Government has decided to accept the expert group's suggestion that the European Court of Human Rights judgment in the A, B and C v. Ireland case be implemented by way of legislation with regulations with the parameters of Article 43.3.3⁰ of the Constitution as interpreted by the Supreme Court in the X case. The Government is conscious of the complexity and sensitivity of this issue and for these reasons the process of drafting the heads of a Bill and draft regulations will not occur until after the Joint Committee on Health and Children has conducted its hearings on the subject in early January.

For these reasons, the process of drafting the heads of the Bill and draft regulations will not commence until after the Joint Committee on Health and Children has conducted its hearings on the subject in early January. When the draft heads of the Bill have been prepared, a comprehensive debate will take place at the joint committee and with the public before the Bill and the accompanying regulations are finalised. The aim of the Government's action is to provide for clarity and legal certainty in the process of determining whether a termination of pregnancy is permissible in cases in which there is a real and substantial risk to the life, as opposed to the health, of a woman. That is the Government's position on the report of the expert group. I am sure we will have many more debates in the House on the matter before the legislation and the regulations are provided for. I assure those Members who have stated that this may lead to abortion on demand that that certainly will not be the case.

Senator David Norris raised the matter of the appalling murder of three people in Pakistan. It is certainly a matter that should be raised and I am sure our ambassador will raise it and bring it to the attention of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Senators David Norris, Paul Coghlan, Catherine Noone and others raised the matter of the credit card interest rate increases announced by Bank of Ireland. The increases in the interest rate will be crippling for members of the public, especially given that the bank was assisted by the State. It should reconsider its action and withdraw the increases. To increase an already inflated interest rate at this time in the run-up to Christmas is disgraceful.

Senator Terry Leyden raised the matter of prisoners being granted release during the Christmas period. I am sure the same arrangements for the release of prisoners during the Christmas period as applied in previous years will be in place this year.

Senator Aideen Hayden raised the matter of provision for homeless persons. A number of provisions for homeless persons were included in the budget. I will arrange for the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, to come to the House early in the new year to discuss the issues of homelessness and housing.

Senator Sean D. Barrett again raised the matter of the future of the Church of Ireland College of Education. I was not aware when he raised the matter yesterday that it had been raised on the Adjournment. I will take up these points with the Minister concerned and get back to the Senator on the matter.

Senator Michael Mullins outlined the position on undocumented immigrants. I understand the matter is being discussed today by the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence. There are many undocumented Irish people living in America and we can, therefore, understand and empathise with undocumented immigrants living here. It is an issue that will have to be tackled.

Senators Jimmy Harte, Brian Ó Domhnaill and Colm Burke raised the matter of foreign aid, an issue we discussed on the Order of Business yesterday. There is obviously a big difference of opinion between Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill and the vast majority of other Members of the House. I assured the House yesterday that I would invite the Minister of State, Deputy Joe Costello, to come early in the new year to discuss foreign aid. The points made can be teased out then.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochtaraigh spoke about the wonderful work being done by volunteers in Samaritans. I am happy to acknowledge the work of Samaritans which does excellent work the length and breadth of the country.

Senator Pat O'Neill raised the issue of septic tanks and water services, which matters were raised on the Order of Business yesterday. I am sure everybody welcomes the grant aid announced by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, in recent days.