Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Moloney referred to questions for the Minister for Health. If she could let me know the questions, I will pass them on to the Minister. Otherwise, a Member of the other House can table a question on those matters which she raised. I will certainly assist in any way possible.

Senator Norris raised the issue of the Seanad referendum Bill. I can assure the Senator we will allow as much time as is necessary in this House to discuss that Bill when it comes before us. I understand that Bill will be coming to us in mid-June, if not before it. With regard to the right of way at St. Patrick's Well, if the Senator can give me that question in writing, I will certainly forward it to the relevant Minister, Deputy Varadkar.

Senator Harte spoke in regard to the issuing of reminders to people to renew their passports. I will certainly pass this on to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. It is a practice which, as the Senator rightly said, happens in regard to motor taxation and it could also be done with regard to passports.

Senator Michael D'Arcy spoke on the household charge and urged people to pay their local authorities before 1 July or major penalties will click in. It is a very valid point. People should be advised they will face further penalties if that charge is not paid by July and, eventually, it will be taken from whatever is their source of income by the Revenue. I note Senator MacSharry's points on the Seanad, in particular the media coverage of it, about which I agree with him.

With regard Senator Kelly's point, we will have that debate on mental health services. There has been investment in mental health services in the past year or so. I am sure the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, will come to the House, as I said to Senator Darragh O'Brien.

In response to the point made by Senator Sean D. Barrett, I agree that we had a very good debate in the House on the issue of diesel laundering. Certainly, serious questions about security at the barracks from where the tanker was taken over the weekend need to be answered. On the point made by the Supreme Court on laws being made by people outside the Oireachtas, I assure the Senator that this will not happen as long as this Seanad continues and that legislation brought before the Houses will be scrutinised in a proper manner, as always happens in this House.

Senators Lorraine Higgins and Jim Walsh raised a very important question about employees of NAMA taking up jobs with property companies in the United Kingdom. The position needs to be clarified by the Minister or NAMA and I will ask the Minister to do so.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan made a number of points about the Seanad. We will have ample time to discuss the matter in June and July.

Senator Mary Moran spoke about the protection of life during pregnancy Bill. I said I would not comment on that matter and will leave it at that. Again, we will have ample time to debate the issue in July. I note the Senator's points on the Catholic Church which is entitled to state what it thinks fit. That is its right, but we will have a very comprehensive debate in the House when the Bill is brought before us.

Senators Feargal Quinn, Paschal Mooney and Fidelma Healy Eames called for a debate on the skills shortage. We had a debate on the issues of the skills shortage and competitiveness with the Minister of State with responsibility for training and skills, Deputy Ciarán Cannon, on 20 February, but obviously-----