Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Bacik called for a debate on policing. When the reports are completed it would probably be an appropriate time for a debate, but we could possibly have a debate on it before then. This matter was also raised by Senators O'Donovan and Mullins. The question of confidence in the Garda and GSOC is a matter of paramount importance that must be addressed, and the Government has every intention of addressing it in the best possible way. There will a scoping exercise and if an inquiry is necessary, I am sure that will happen.

Senator Bacik, as well as Senator Zappone and others, also referred to the completion of the Constitutional Convention. Mr. Tom Arnold appeared before the House previously and agreed to return to debate the full report when it is complete. We will have that debate when the report is published.

Senator Zappone spoke about the protection of basic human rights in the Constitutional Convention and mentioned that the public consultation committee will also deal with the issue of human rights. I note her point about Uganda, a point also raised by Senator Mullins. I share her concerns regarding the extreme legislation, which is reprehensible in my view, introduced in Uganda. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

I note Senator Mullen's comments on the health service and universal health insurance, which I have addressed. In respect of wind energy, time was allocated for public consultation on that matter. I am sure we can have a debate when that period is complete. I have already asked the Minister on a number of occasions to come to the House to discuss this matter.

Senator Sheahan and others raised the issue of rural post offices and the need for post offices to attract new business and so forth. Last week there was a request that we would deal with the 2013 report of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications on promoting a sustainable service for the post office network. The report will be discussed in the other House tomorrow. I remind the House that we had a debate on that report on 4 July last year, so we are well ahead of the posse. We dealt with the report at that point.