Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Paschal Mooney, the acting Leader of the Opposition, raised the issue of the ordering of business. As I stated last week, we have had two to three pieces of legislation each week since January and we have some this week. If Members wish, I can, if there are situations such as today where we have only piece of business on a Thursday, confine our business to two days a week rather than three. Looking at next week's business, we have three pieces of legislation, the Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Dáil Bill 2012, the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013 and the Education and Training Boards Bill 2012. I understand Private Members' business will be another piece of legislation, therefore four pieces of legislation have been listed.

I stated at the beginning of the year that we have the Presidency of the European Union for six months and, as such, it is more difficult to have Ministers come to the House as they have other business in the European Union, for which we laud them. We have witnessed the benefits already in regard to banking and other areas in recent months. I ask Members to bear with us. It is clear from the agenda for recent weeks that we have had most of the senior Ministers in the House dealing with some item or another. What Senator Mooney stated last week and has returned to this week has been exaggerated. Certainly, if we have only one item of business on a Thursday, I will consider condensing that into a Tuesday or Wednesday in future, if that is the wish of the House.

Senator Mooney and many other Members welcomed the improvement in job statistics for the first few months of the year. We all welcome that. It will be the sign that the economy is picking up when we see more people in employment. The Government accepts that it is only a beginning and there is a long way to go. Let us hope there will be further improvement as the year progresses.

Senator Michael Comiskey raised the issue of fracking. I understand that nothing will be decided until the EPA report is published. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, came before the House to speak on that subject last year. I understand the Minister of State, Fergus O'Dowd, is now dealing with the issue. When the EPA report is published, or even before that, we might have another debate on the matter.

Senator Ivana Bacik welcomed the job figures. In regard to the mobility allowance, which has been raised, I gave a fairly comprehensive reply yesterday on that matter. I wish to indicate again that the ¤10.6 million in funding has been ring-fenced for these allowances. The Senator also called for a debate on Syria. I will try to have one of the Ministers from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade come to the House and debate the issue.

Senator Sean D. Barrett raised the issue of the role of the House in scrutinising legislation. I think we have done a very good job in that regard and better, I suggest, than the other House, but I would say that in many instances. As Senator David Norris said, it is something we have to live with. We are not getting the credit - not that we want it - but we are doing our jobs, for which we are being paid well. We are doing our jobs quite well in scrutinising legislation and bringing other matters of interest to the House, often before they are brought to the attention of the other House. That is a matter for another day. If we continue to act as we are doing in this House, when the people are deciding on whether the Seanad should continue we can give them good reason for retaining it, but that is a matter for another day.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames called for a debate on the benefits of supporting social enterprise and legislation on crowd-funding and complimented last week's public consultation committee. It was enlightening to have that debate last week. A number of members have commented positively on the debate and said the presentations were wonderful. Some 28 members were present, but on and off there were very few, and Senators were in and out during that debate. That is welcome. I will find out from the Minister when legislation will be introduced on crowd-funding.

We will allow Senator Terry Leyden and Senator John Kellyto fight out the situation in regard to Harristown House.