Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join in the welcome to Professor George Huxley. I also welcome Mr. Gilbert Lee Meagher, great-great-grandson of Thomas Francis Meagher. On a conciliatory note, I am prepared to accept the proposed amendment to the Order of Business with regard to the Irish flag which was flown for the first time in Waterford on 7 March 1848. On the 165th anniversary of the flying of the flag for the first time, it is opportune to have the great-great-grandson of Thomas Francis Meagher in the House which I believe will join me in welcoming Gilbert Lee Meagher to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. I hope to have the opportunity to meet him later in the Granville Hotel in Waterford which was associated with Thomas Francis Meagher during those years.

Coming back to the politics of the day and the Order of Business, Senator Marc MacSharry referred to the property tax. I will endeavour to have the Minister come to the House for a longer time, but I cannot give a guarantee to change the Order of Business. I will try to have more time allocated for Committee Stage, if at all possible.

With regard to the deferral of projects and the National Roads Authority, the question of dangerous roads will be addressed and finance will be made available. There will be further announcements in this regard in the near future.

Senators Ivana Bacik, John Crown, Cáit Keane and others referred to the recent surrogacy case. It is important that legislators and the Government legislate for the outcome, as we have dragged our heels for quite some time on the issue which, as Senator Ivana Bacik said, former Senator Mary Henry championed for many years in the House. I hope the Government will act in order that we will have legislation on it in the near future. Senator Cáit Keane asked for a debate on the report on assisted human reproduction report soon and for the Minister to outline the position of the Government on the matter.

Senator Ivana Bacik referred to prison conditions and the forthcoming report of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, on which we will arrange a debate.

Senators Michael Mullins and Martin Conway referred to the gypsum used in bedding for animals and the fact that it gave off hydrogen sulphate. This is a serious matter, as the material is banned in other countries. It should also be banned in Ireland. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister with a view to having immediate action taken on this very important issue.

Senator Sean D. Barrett referred to electricity prices and the need to have the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovaton, Deputy Richard Bruton, come to the House to assess how much damage has been done to the competitiveness of the country. I will certainly address the matter with the Minister.

Senators Denis Landy, John Kelly and Labhrás Ó Murchú referred to the difficulties with the shared ownership scheme and asked for the Minister to come to the House to review the scheme, with the possibility of abandoning it altogether. I will raise the matter with the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, with a view to her coming to the House to address it.

With regard to Senator David Cullinane's request, we will have a debate on the property tax after the Order of Business. The Senator can raise any point he wishes at that point.

Senator Colm Burke referred to the cost of generic drugs and the fact that they were a lot cheaper in the United Kingdom. The Minister recently concluded negotiations with the drug companies and there has been a reduction in the cost of drugs. There is, however, a need to reduce prices further. I note the reference to the report of the Law Reform Commission and the Bill on the Order Paper which we will try to expedite.

Senator Paschal Mooney referred to illegal detentions in Palestine and the report of Tim Marshall. I will relay his comments to the Tánaiste.

Senator Jimmy Harte referred to the dumping of chemical waste in County Donegal in the early 1950s. We will try to get an update on the matter for the Senator. It is possible he would receive a more emphatic and detailed reply if he were to seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Senator Norris raised the forthcoming referendum on the abolition of the Seanad. The Taoiseach has no power whatsoever to abolish this House. It is the people who will decide whether this House stays.

Senator Conway raised the matter of the construction of a pier in the beautiful village of Doolin, County Clare, and the creation of long-term and sustainable employment in this area. We all wish this project well.

Senator Kelly sought clarification on liability for the property tax for those paying for shared ownership. This matter can be addressed with the Minister when we take the Finance (Local Property Tax)(Amendment) Bill 2013 after the Order of Business.

Senator O'Neill called for a debate on the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, negotiations. Senator O'Keeffe also called for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to come to the House to discuss the negotiations, as well as the horsemeat controversy. I will try to get the Minister to attend the House. Today, he will address an important conference on food safety. I agree with the Senator that people defrauding the system should be brought to justice. There is no question about that.

Senator Quinn called for a debate on energy. We have had debates on the topic in the past but we can certainly have a further debate. The recent British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly meeting in Donegal was dedicated to discussing the area of renewable energy. It was an interesting gathering which the Minister addressed, as well as others involved in the energy sector. I agree with Senator Quinn that we should have a further update on this sector soon. I also note his comments about a store that now employs non-Irish nationals, particularly Chinese, to assist tourists when shopping. This is a good initiative by the store in question and I am sure it will be followed by many others across the country.

Senator Brennan raised The Gathering and subsequent increase in tourist figures. This is to be welcomed and we all hope this will continue into the year.

I will find out for Senator Wilson from the Minister for Finance what the problem is with rebates for PAYE workers and see how it can be speeded up. As he stated, Revenue has no problem in collecting taxes but it can be slow in paying out rebates.