Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Zappone raised the issue of the amalgamation of the Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority, and said that it must be run in an efficient and effective manner. That is what the Minister for Justice and Equality actually stated. We have had cuts in many areas, and that is a matter for the Minister, Deputy Howlin. He has dealt with every Minister on the issue of cuts in expenditure, which is absolutely necessary. We can have a discussion on it, but I think we should request the Minister for Justice and Equality to come in and discuss the matter.

Senators Ó Murchú and Healy Eames spoke about the work of the charity sector. There is no doubt that many worthy charities, such as the St. Vincent de Paul and Simon, are hit by recent events. It is very important that these charities be supported. We have a very comprehensive list of Bills to get through over the next week and we will be sitting until Friday week, so I do not know if I can get in an hour's debate on that subject. People have called for several items to be debated. Senator Kelly called for a debate on wind energy and the economic viability of such a strategy. We will ask the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, to come before the House in the new year. Senator Ó Domhnaill called for a debate on CAP and Pillar 2 co-funding. I can assure him that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is working hard on that and that we should have an announcement on it very soon.

Senator Wilson welcomed the Garda recruitment notice and asked for the Minister for Justice and Equality to come in and outline his future plans for the Defence Forces. I am sure the Minister will be quite willing to do that. Finally, Senator Healy Eames spoke about the ecological centre in Wicklow and called for a debate on An Bord Pleanála. I doubt if we can have that before Christmas. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will be here with the local government Bill, the pyrite Bill and the water services Bill between now and next Friday week, so there may be an opportunity to discuss An Bord Pleanála under the first of those Bills, but I cannot have a particular debate on the issue before then.