Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Bacik also spoke about the Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013, with which we will be dealing following the Order of Business. As members will have noted, we have dealt over the past number of weeks in this House with a number of Private Members' Bills. I hope to progress these Bills and to schedule as many motions as possible for discussion over the coming months in an effort to clear the Order Paper.

I note Senator Norris's comments in regard to constitutional nationalism versus the armed struggle. The Senator made some interesting points in that regard and also raised the issue of unsolicited cold calls from companies, which are very annoying for many people.

Senator Comiskey welcomed the World Sheep Shearing Championships in Wexford and the benefits that will accrue for tourism in Wexford and the south-east as a result.

Senator Mary White also spoke of the benefits of the Presidential visit and outlined that age is no barrier to success. Senator Mullins also called for a debate on the ambulance service. I will try to have the Minister in the House for that debate as soon as the review has been completed.

Senator Barrett spoke about the future of third level education. As mentioned by the Senator, there are currently two or three Bills in this regard in the ether. Perhaps when these Bills are being dealt with we can have a comprehensive debate on the issue of third level education and its future.

Senator Landy spoke about the greyhound industry and the doping of six dogs in a recent national coursing event. We had a debate on the greyhound industry in recent weeks. However, I will bring the Senator's point that the issue of coursing be included in the review to the attention of the Minister.

Senators Ó Clochartaigh and Keane referred to a recent article in the media regarding Travellers. As I have not read the article, I do not propose to comment on it. However, I take on board the points made by both Senators. Also, I am a member of the British Irish Parliamentary Association sub-committee dealing with the issue of Travellers in all jurisdictions. I would like to put on record our thanks to Pavee Point and others representing the Traveller and Roma communities for their help and co-operation during the recent visit by the sub-committee to Dublin.

Senator Ó Domhnaill spoke about electricity prices, which he stated are 4% higher than the EU average. In this regard, the Senator asked that the Commissioner for Energy Regulation be asked to come into the House. I understand the regulator recently appeared before a committee, which is the appropriate place for a debate on energy. It is important there is competition in the electricity marketplace.

Senator Colm Burke spoke about the need to fill vacant consultant and trainee general practitioner positions. In this regard, he referred to the more than 1,000 Irish trained general practitioners who went to work in the UK last year and called for a debate on the cost of education and follow up training for GPs. I will try to arrange that debate.

Senator Walsh spoke about the sale of the IBRC loan book, which issue we discussed at length on the Order of Business over a number of weeks. The code of conduct is in place. I understand that the purchasers of the loan book have signed up to the procedures in that code of conduct. The Senator also spoke about the possibility of the President raising particular issues while in the UK. The issues raised by the Senator are outside the remit of the President. However, the Senator can be assured that the Government has raised them and will continue to raise them with the UK Government.

Senator Noone spoke about Menu-Cal and called for a debate on the promotion of good health and obesity. We had such a debate recently by way of a Private Members' motion. However, it is a matter that must be kept under constant review.

Senator Conway referred to today being national jobshadow day and the need to raise the awareness of job opportunities for people with disabilities. I hope that the person jobshadowing the Senator is not also jobshadowing any other Senator or Deputy from Clare.