Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We will have a full debate on the issue of homophobia, free speech and censorship this afternoon, thanks to a motion put down by Senator Zappone which has cross-party support.

Senator Moloney raised the issue of the recent storms. All of us sympathise with her nine hour journey to Kerry last week. All of us also join with her in paying tribute to the ESB, Eircom and local authority staff who have worked so hard to restore power and services to people. All Members express sympathy to the family of Mr. Michael O'Riordan, the Eircom worker, who was tragically killed restoring telephone services to households in Glengarriff in west Cork. Senator Moloney also raised the issue of schools closing during the bad weather and how information in this regard was passed on to parents. She might wish to raise this as a matter on the Adjournment with the Minister for Education and Skills.

Senator Mooney sought a debate on the issue of postmasters and postmistresses with the hand-over of social welfare payments from post offices to banks and, more generally, the move to e-commerce. This issue was also raised by Senators Noone and Brennan. Debates have been sought on banking and the Leader is trying to facilitate this. In that context, we could also debate this issue and online banking. Like many others, we have all been frustrated by the absence of real banking staff when one goes to a bank now. Online banking, however, when right, can be very convenient including for those with mobility issues.

Senator O’Neill called for a debate on the issue of the beef industry and a crisis for beef farmers with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The Minister will attend the House tomorrow for a debate on the greyhound industry. We might ask him for a debate on the beef industry too.

Senator Barrett inquired about a Green Paper on private health insurance. The Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, wrote in today’s The Irish Times on the imminent publication of the White Paper on universal health insurance. Senator Barrett raised a slightly different issue, so he might want to communicate directly with the Minister for Health about the idea of a Green Paper on private health insurance.

Certainly, a Government White Paper is imminent on the move to universal health insurance and the stages that are being taken towards delivering the single-tier health service. The Minister has set out in today's newspaper very clear steps by which progress will be made on universal health insurance. With regard to the position of private health insurance in the meantime, the Government has clearly stated its commitment to keeping health insurance affordable for as many people as possible. There has, as we all know, been a drop in the number of people with private health insurance but, in international terms, Ireland continues to retain a high level of voluntary private health insurance. The issue is trying to keep that affordable while we move towards the universal health insurance system.

Senator Mullins called for a debate on the beef industry and supported Senator Paul Coghlan on the section 38 and section 39 agencies. He also complimented the Tánaiste and the Government on the launch of the St. Patrick's Day programme and welcomed the fact so many visits will be made by our Ministers. I know there will be an emphasis on North America this year. Senator Ó Murchú also raised this issue, as did Senator Noone. Senator Ó Murchú put it very fairly when he said there is much less cynicism about the story of the visits by Ministers. I believe we all now accept how important these visits are and the great economic and social benefit, and the benefit to the image of Ireland, these visits bring. We would all very much support that. There are somewhat fewer visits to Britain, with one to Britain and Scotland - or England and Scotland, I should say - by Ministers. However, we will have later this year-----