Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Thomas Byrne questioned why the Appropriation Bill is being taken without debate. This has been the procedure in this House and in the other House for quite some time. I have requested the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to send somebody. I will try to have the Bill debated today but I understand the Minister is away. The Department is looking for a substitute and we will have a debate if possible. On a point of clarification, there was some confusion about No. 4 on the Order of Business, the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2013 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 3 and to conclude no later than 12.15 p.m.

Senator Byrne also asked about the health service plan. I am sure we will have a comprehensive debate on that Bill in January. Senator Hayden asked about the visit by the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister to the Irish war graves. This visit is to be welcomed. As she rightly pointed out, many people from Dublin joined the British Army at that time because of poverty or perhaps in a sense of adventure and to fight for the rights of small nations. People in many parts of the country joined that war, in particular, from my city. It is only right and fitting that the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister would visit the Irish war graves.