Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Katherine Zappone raised the international taxation strategy and asked if a sub-committee of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform was examining it.

I do not know but believe it is the duty of members of that committee to have those issues debated. The committee is the place at which these issues should be discussed. I urge members to raise the matters at a meeting of the committee.

Seanad reform and procedural measures will not be debated today by the Seanad CPP, which is to meet after the Order of Business. We have a very lengthy agenda for the meeting but I assure the Senator that I will be raising procedural measures for discussion by the committee within the next month.

Senator Conway and several others referred to flooding and the extent of the damage throughout the country. An initial estimate of the cost of cleaning and restoring public infrastructure after the storms is €65 million. Some €20 million is required to repair road infrastructure and €35 million is required for coastal works. Some €10 million is required to meet a range of other costs arising. Almost two thirds of the total estimate arises from two counties, namely Clare, which has produced an estimate of €23 million, and Galway, which has produced an estimate of €18 million. Next is Waterford, which has an estimate of €7 million. I have arranged for a debate on this matter next week. The three issues on which a debate was sought, namely, flooding, rural development and Uisce Éireann, will be debated in the House next week.

Senators Conway, Mullen and others referred to the tragic death of Mr. Tom O'Gorman, who was known to many Senators. We express our sympathy on his death.

Senator O'Keeffe referred to Irish Water and rural development measures. We will be discussing them in the House next week. She may raise the merger of Coillte and Bord na Móna during the debate.

I do not propose to accept the amendment to the Order of Business tabled by Senator Cullinane because we will be having a debate on the issue next week.

Senators Noone and Coghlan referred to the question of obesity and the need for a multifaceted approach to tackle it. Senator Coghlan said we should invest in prevention. We had a number of debates on the issue last year but we will try to have the Minister in the House to discuss it again.

Senator White referred to her Bill, the Parental Leave Bill. I understand the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Social Protection are discussing it and considering various measures because the subject matter of the legislation falls under the remit of both Departments. I assure the Senator that work is being undertaken on the issue. I will try to obtain a further update for the Senator.