Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the question of exceptional needs payments. I am surprised such payments have been withdrawn for first holy communion, confirmation and other religious ceremonies. It is a matter I will raise with the Minister.

In regard to the directive from the Department of Justice and Equality to the Courts Service on burglaries, I will certainly raise the matter with the Minister for Justice and Equality.

I would find it difficult that the Department would interfere in any way with the Courts Service but I will raise the matter with the Minister.

Senator Hayden raised the plight of people in rented accommodation and we will have statements on the private rented sector in the House tomorrow. The Minister of State with responsibility for housing, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, will be present and she can raise the issue then.

The Senator, along with many others, raised the issue of the Magdalen laundries. The report is 900 pages long and will need to be digested by all Members. We should let a short time elapse before we have an informed debate but I assure the House that I will arrange a debate on the report in early course. Senator van Turnhout referred to the need for justice to be seen to be done and we will debate the matter soon. I note her comments on Older and Bolder, which will cease its work later in the year. Like her, I commend its administrators on the work they did on behalf of older people and the part they played in the House's public consultation on issues relating to elderly people some time ago.

Senator Norris raised a number of issues. With regard to Ministers' trying to make representations on behalf of constituents and trying to jump people up, Members in this House, and indeed in the other House, lobby on behalf of constituents, organisations and communities on the Order of Business practically every day and Adjournment debates are tabled every day in which Members lobby on behalf of constituents.