Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senators Fidelma Healy Eames and David Cullinane referred to the Higgins report. I will ask the Minister to come to the House for a debate on the contents of that report. Senator Cullinane observed that it will include both positive and negative news. I am pleased to tell him that in the case of Waterford Regional Hospital the news is very good indeed, with a recommendation that services not only be retained but enhanced.

Senator Mary Moran asked about additional residential places for persons with disabilities. I will ask the Minister to address the House on that issue. Senator David Norris raised concerns regarding the welfare of children and referred once again to the status of former residents of Bethany Home. Again, I will ask the Minister to respond to those points.

Senators Michael Comiskey and Terry Leyden referred to the fodder crisis.

I thank the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for coming into the House last week after he had been requested to do so. He outlined in detail the measures taken. His decision to extend the scheme is to be welcomed by all. We realise farmers still have problems, about which there is no question, and the Minister is doing everything possible to address them.

Senator Terry Brennan welcomed the role played by the Labour Relations Commission in bringing the management and staff of Bus Éireann together. He also welcomed the ongoing Croke Park II talks. I am sure we all wish the Labour Relations Commission every success in the talks.

I could not agree more with what Senator Feargal Quinn said about the payment services directive, the objective of which is to encourage people to use more electronic payments.

Senator Kathryn Reilly called for a debate on the social consequences of the recession. She suggested a recent report on the matter could be referred to the Seanad Public Consultation Committee. I am sure the committee can consider it.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh spoke about EU rural development funding. I am sure the matter will be raised at the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine and, if necessary, referred for scrutiny at the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs which was the subject of a motion in the House last week.