Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom aontú leis an Seanadóir agus gach rath a ghuí ar ghach duine don bhriseadh. I wish everybody well for the summer break, particularly the staff and everybody who supports us in Leinster House.

Yesterday, many Members of this House were caught up in our own dramas but it was a very dark day for people who stayed in another house over the years, namely, the people from the Bethany Home. An appalling decision about them was made yesterday and they are dismayed by the approach that is being taken to their plight.

I note also that we have not seen further progress on the Magdalen laundries issue, which we need to examine in the autumn. We should have a debate on redress for people who found themselves in State institutions who were not treated properly. I would include in that cohort the victims of symphysiotomy.

I accept the Cathaoirleach's ruling on my Adjournment matter but it is surprising that the Minister, Deputy Hogan, told us when we debated septic tanks in this House that he was very concerned about the standard of water in the State yet drinking water from 47 public systems is not under his official remit. It is important that we have a debate on the quality of public water because according to the Environmental Protection Agency remedial action list, RAL, report 47 public water systems in this State are in danger of being infected with cryptosporidium. We saw the damage that did in Galway, Roscommon and other areas. This is a very serious issue that poses a very serious danger and while Senators are reading Senator White's report during the summer they might read the EPA report as well because it affects many areas in their constituencies that might be dependent on these services.

On the Enterprise Ireland report, it is welcome that there has been an upturn in the export area but I am not sure if Senator Mullins noted that there is a regional imbalance in that respect. For some reason the west has not had the same job gains as other areas, which adds to the calls I have been making for specific debates on the regions, and the development of the regions, in the autumn.