Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senators Landy and Wilson raised the issue of the development plans of town councils and asked that they be extended. Senator Landy also referred to amending the Planning and Development Acts. I will bring these matters to the attention of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.

Senator Quinn referred to presumed consent for organ donations. He has raised this issue on many occasions. I acknowledge his comment that Deputy Buttimer will introduce a Bill similar to that introduced a few years ago. The Deputy was a Member of this House when the original Bill was introduced and, therefore, he should know a great deal about it. Senator Burke referred to the delays on the part of all Governments and Departments, including the permanent government in the Civil Service, in proceeding with Bills that have passed Second Stage in the House. If the Government supports a Bill on Second Stage and is not going to proceed with it, it should introduce its own legislation within a short period and not wait as long we have witnessed in recent years.

I agree with Senator Feargal Quinn, Senator Colm Burke and others in that regard.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames called for a further cut in pensions to former Ministers. Senator Michael Mullins also raised that point.

Senators Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, Michael Comiskey and Paul Coghlan raised an issue from the discussions last evening on the dumping of fish disregards. We should all compliment the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, in this regard. When he was in the House to speak about fishing, he said he would raise the matter and continue to raise it at European Union level. I hope, as a result of the meeting yesterday, that the matter has been solved to the satisfaction of all. It was disgraceful that so much fish was being dumped overboard when people are hungry in Europe and in the world. I am glad this issue has been solved once and for all.

Senator Paschal Mooney raised the issue of the deterioration of roads. I agree that there are many roads around the country in urgent need of repair. In January 2012 the Department of Transport announced a ¤100 million, 24 month programme of works to target black spots and include road safety. We are half way through that plan. Work commenced on 31 of the projects in 2012, three of which have been completed. Construction work continues on the remaining 28 projects which are expected to be completed in 2013, as planned, on schedule. When the scheme was announced in 2012 it was made perfectly clear that 29 of the projects, for which no funding is currently available, would be brought through the planning process. These 29 projects will be ready to proceed when funding becomes available. Certainly there are moves in the roads area but I agree that more needs to be done. That is recognised throughout the length and breadth of the country.