Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Senator can read that in the report. I am trying to be balanced in my reply rather than take one side of the fence or the other. Senator Paul Coghlan referred to the comments by Mr. John Trethowan on foreign banks leaving the Irish market with scant regard for their customers, SMEs in particular. I am sure that matter will be examined by the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform in the coming weeks or months.

Senator Colm Burke said the procedure for the review of medical cards should be re-examined, which is exactly what the Minister is going to do. He also pointed out that 217,000 extra medical cards have been issued over the past two to three years. I noted his comments on problems between ACC Bank and farmers. I am sure he has raised that matter with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine but if he wishes to give me the details, I will certainly bring the matter to the attention of the Minister also.

Senator Jim D'Arcy referred to the Narrow Water Bridge and the fact that the June meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council will address this matter. Hopefully, as a result of the proposals made by Government in regard to reforming this House's procedures, we will be able to discuss that matter with the Ministers when they come back from that meeting.

I note Senator Crown's points in regard to the HSE, value for money and the question of a public relations person for the HSE allegedly issuing threats to people. It is certainly unacceptable if threats were issued. Senator O'Neill referred to the local and European Parliament elections and the compilation of the register of electors. That matter is discussed year after year and before and after local elections. The point he made that it could be linked to PPS numbers should be discussed by the relevant committee. I will certainly drop a line to the Chairman of that committee to ask that it be done in early course.