Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Ivana Bacik sought a debate on penal reform, on which there is a report from the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence and on which I hope to have a debate after Easter, with specific reference to governance of prisons.

We had a very good debate on the Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill yesterday. It is a concern that it will take almost two years to implement the recommendations made in the Bill, but I am sure we can tease out the matter on Committee and Report Stages.

Senator David Norris referred to the need for proper hygiene and cleanliness in hospitals. I understand there is a dedicated person responsible for hygiene in hospitals and the situations the Senator mentioned are totally unacceptable. I understand HIQA conducts regular hygience audits in hospitals. I am sure it is very concerned if hospitals are in the position described by the Senator.

Senators Michael Mullins and Sean D. Barrett called for a debate on the stability programme. I will ask the Minister for Finance to debate it in early course. Senator Marc MacSharry makes the point that Governments have choices. We have had to cut back in every Department to get the country moving again and the economy in the right direction. The Government has made the right choices.

Senators Denis Landy and Trevor Ó Clochartaigh referred to the CEDRA report which was referred to yesterday by Senator Sean D. Barrett. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, is willing and available to discuss the report. He will come into the Chamber after Easter for a comprehensive debate on the topic.

Senator Fiach Mac Conghail called for a debate on national commemorations. The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, was in the Chamber last year to discuss the ten years of commemorations. We had a good debate on the matter, but if there is a need for a further debate on it, we will arrange it. I am sure the Minister would be willing to come to the House to discuss it.

Coming from the oldest city in Ireland, Waterford, we are celebrating 1,100 years. I should have welcomed the Lord Mayor of Dublin, as other Members did. I note the amendment to the Electoral (Amendment) Bill. Something that should be dealt with in any electoral Bill is the amount of posters all over the country put up by candidates advertising public meetings.