Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Hayden raised the issue of rent supplement limits, a matter raised by Senator Moloney as well. I understand we will have the Housing (Amendment) Bill within the next week or two and that may be the opportunity to raise the points that the Senators wishes to make on the matter.

Senator Quinn called for a debate on tourism and outlined the fact that Dublin Port will host more than 100 cruise ships this year. This is a growing trade. We will have in excess of 25 cruise ships coming into Waterford and even more coming into the Port of Cork.

It is an important area of tourism that generates quite an amount of spending in these areas. I will invite the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to come into the House for a debate on tourism, which has been requested by Senator Mooney also.

With regard to genetically modified food, we have a new Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, as Senator Comiskey stated. We can give him a couple of weeks to read up on his brief but I will certainly put that on the agenda and hope he will come into the House and discuss the matter with us.

Senator Cullinane and Senator Mullins called for an overall debate on taxation, including the revaluation of properties which small businesses in Waterford and in other areas are finding difficult. Senator Mullins also called for a debate on the impact of VAT rates on spending.

Senator Whelan called for a debate on forestry. I am sure the Minister of State, Deputy Hayes, will be willing to come into the House soon to address that matter.

With regard to the referendum date, I have not been informed of the date the referendum will take place. There have been rumours that it may be held in October and others that it will be in September. As Leader of the House I can assure the Senators that I am not aware of the date planned at this stage.