Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I suggest that a formal complaint should be made by the medical practitioner to the Minister on the matter. It should be dealt with in that way.

Senators Crown and Quinn raised the question of Seanad reform. I listened to part of the debate in the other House yesterday. Some rather ill-informed comments we made by some Members in that House. Many of them still do not know what happens in the Seanad or what are its functions.

Senator Quinn made a point on the defibrillators issue. My office contacted the Department of Health yesterday regarding the defibrillators Bill. As soon as I have an update on progress I hope we can have the Bill forwarded to Committee Stage.

The heads of the Bill on Seanad reform were initially to be brought to Cabinet this Tuesday. They will now be brought to Cabinet next Tuesday. At issue is giving effect to the result of the 1979 referendum. When the heads of Bill have been passed by the Cabinet we will be in a position to discuss them in the House. I understand the heads of the Bill will come to the House and the committee.

Senator O'Donovan spoke on the issue of insurance for flood victims, an issue raised by Senator Burke yesterday. I hope we can have that discussion with the Minister of State, Deputy Hayes if he is in the House next week.

Senator Noone raised the question of online gambling. Two Bills are due - one is with the other House at the moment - the Gambling Control Bill and the Betting (Amendment) Bill. I am unsure which, but it is probably the Gambling Control Bill that deals with the question of online gambling and how it will be addressed. I am in full agreement with Senator Noone that the 1% levy which has been proposed is far too low. I understand the United Kingdom is introducing a tax later in the year. There may be some effort to co-ordinate both jurisdictions when introducing such a tax but it is long overdue. It is a major problem in the country and it will get far worse.

Senator Barrett posed the question of who regulates foreign banks and suggested that we should address the issue. I hope the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, will be able to come to the House in early course and we can address it.

I have addressed the matter raised by six Senators yesterday, also raised by Senator Healy Eames this morning. She welcomed the structured write-down of debt by Allied Irish Banks. Senator Walsh raised the same question last week, if not yesterday, and I have addressed it.

I have referred to the question of defibrillators and Seanad reform raised by Senator Quinn. Senator Ó Domhnaill called for the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, to address the issue of the closure of post offices and rural broadband. I will raise the issues with him.

Senator Mullen urged that respect of other people's views from all sides of all debates is of paramount importance. We should all respect other people's views irrespective of what they are or whether we agree with them. In respect of farm payments, the Minister was in the House only recently and addressed many of the points raised by Senator Mullen.