John Crown (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I associate myself with some of the comments of Senator Mullen, those which called for an increase in investment in hospice beds. Some of us have the sad duty sometimes of giving people very bad news. The hospice provides a wonderful source of comfort and solace for people, which some, but not all, patients will choose in the final phase of life's journey. What is fairly horrific is if a person makes this choice but a bed is not available. I do not want to make any jokes about the length of the waiting list for the hospice, but people can get some idea of where I would go if I were to do so. Will the Leader bring to the Minister's attention the rather stark figures which I mentioned a few weeks ago and which Senator Mullen correctly pointed out today?

A frustration of being a backbench Independent Senator is the limited number of legislative initiatives one can make by virtue of scheduling. I was very concerned to read today a report by Ms Nessa Childers, MEP, who has done a very good job in outlining the pressure which MEPs come under from the tobacco industry. What is very obvious with regard to the forthcoming attempts to change tobacco regulations at European level, and should be considered if we ever intend doing it here, is the massive imbalance in the muscle and financial power available to the tobacco lobby and that available to health advocacy groups. It is estimated the number of health advocacy groups with direct access to MEPs is two, whereas at least 100 people who are registered act on behalf of the tobacco industry at European Parliament level. There is a huge variation in the degree of compliance of European parliamentarians with the United Nations recommendations, which we discussed previously in the context of the unfortunate meeting the Taoiseach and two senior Ministers had with the tobacco industry. We need to blaze another trail internationally on tobacco control by introducing in the House legislation which would make it illegal for any tobacco company to have any contract with any advertising or public relations agency. Will the Leader ask the Minister to schedule a debate or launch an initiative in this regard?