Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Senator MacSharry also raised the issue of the closure of barracks in Cavan in the context of the G8 summit in Fermanagh, which we all welcome because it will be a great boost for the region, not just north of the Border but in the immediate vicinity south of the Border. I am sure security arrangements are in hand in respect of that summit.

The Senator also raised the issue of visas, particularly in respect of the Russian and Chinese delegations to the summit. I had not been aware of any particular difficulty but it would be good for us to debate unnecessary visa restrictions in a more general sense because in the year of The Gathering, we do not want to put unnecessary obstacles in the way of people who wish to come here.

Senator Coghlan also raised the issue of the gardaí and complimented the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on his proposals for microchipping of dogs. It is a welcome proposal from the point of view of animal welfare. Senator Comiskey raised the more serious issue of the horrific mauling to death of a 14 year old girl in England. Microchipping offers safeguards for people in general because it makes dog owners more accountable and will have positive implications in rural areas where sheep worrying is an issue and in urban areas will have an impact on dogs fouling pavements, a less serious matter but annoying nonetheless. This move will make dog owners more accountable and be of benefit to animal welfare. I also welcome the Minister's announcement that he will work with veterinary practitioners to ensure dogs can be microchipped for as close to cost as possible.

Senator Daly raised the issue of the IBRC and the liquidator, and called for the Minister for Finance to come to address this, as did Senator Hayden. He also called for a debate on the visa issue, and I have asked for that to be arranged.

Senator Barrett mentioned the Minister for Education and Skills proposals on the reform of the points system, where he said he is impatient but not reckless, which Senator Barrett sees as a good combination. I complement Senator Barrett on the excellent reception and debate at the Hist, which Senator Norris chaired and which I spoke at. It was an outing for the Trinity College Senators to the oldest debating society in Ireland, and a great evening was had by all.