Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I think I have explained the Leader's office made every attempt until after 7 p.m. yesterday to find another Minister to come in and take other business. My preference was to have had a debate on at least one of the reports today but we simply could not do it. When the resignation was announced at 4 p.m. yesterday it took most people by surprise and it was very difficult to get any business. We have a full schedule for next week.

The report of Mr. Seán Guerin will be published tomorrow and we all welcome this. None of us have seen the full text of the 300 page report and I hope we will debate it. Senators have sought a debate on it. An independent Garda authority has been announced, which is very welcome, reform of GSOC has also been announced, and the committee on justice is conducting an overview of Garda accountability mechanisms. These ongoing matters will be debated in the House.

Senator Coghlan referred to the appointment of the new Ministers. I have dealt with Senator van Turnhout's points with regard to the motion. She also welcomed the new appointments as did Senator Barrett. He also called for a debate on the cost of the Narrow Water bridge project. This matter has been raised by others in the House and we will seek this debate. It may be suitable as a matter on the Adjournment and I do not know whether the Senator has considered drafting one.

Senator Landy welcomed the terms of reference for the expert panel on EirGrid and called for clarification on when it will finalise its report. This question might be put to the expert panel. I am not clear on it. We can make an inquiry.

Senator O'Sullivan raised the issue of the energy project in Kerry and called on an update from the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte. I will see whether the Minister will come to the House to discuss it. As it is a specific matter it might be appropriate to table it as a matter on the Adjournment which might provide a speedier response. Senator O'Sullivan also referred to the resignation of the former Minister, Deputy Shatter, and the new appointments.

Senator Comiskey also raised the new appointments and welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, of a capital gains tax exemption for farmers forced to sell their single farm payment entitlements. This is a welcome announcement.

Very importantly, Senator Quinn asked colleagues to express sympathy to Senator David Norris on his recent surgery and also stated how much we look forward to having him back and how much we all hope he will have a full recovery. We all join Senator Quinn in sending Senator Norris our best wishes for a full recovery and we all very much look forward to having him back in these benches once more very soon. Senator O'Keeffe also mentioned Senator Harte. We are very much thinking of him and we hope for his speedy recovery also.

Senator Kelly also referred to EirGrid and the expert panel and to the resignation of the former Minister, Deputy Shatter. Senator Reilly referred to the supports available to leaving certificate students. The leaving certificate will begin in four weeks. The matter he discussed might be raised with the Minister for Education and Skills. We all join in sending good wishes to leaving certificate students. It is a very stressful time and it is probably the most stressful examination most of the students will ever sit.

Senator Mullins also mentioned Senator Norris's recovery. He noted among the bodies paying tribute to the former Minister, Deputy Shatter, is the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, which is noteworthy. The council referred to the former Minister as having been a radical and reforming Minister who brought to the role a genuine and deeply knowledgeable understanding of the legal reforms necessary to make Ireland a more equal society. It is a stunning tribute from the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and it is worth noting. Senator Mullins also referred to the fact the Taoiseach will open a new motorway in Gort tomorrow.

Senator Crown referred to the resignation of the former Minister, Deputy Shatter, and pointed out the need to improve the treatment of whistleblowers. The Government will bring forth whistleblower protection legislation and will be the first Government to do so. The Minister, Deputy Howlin, has been piloting it through the Houses. Colleagues have already made comments on and contributions to the legislation. Senator Crown also referred to the HSE and his proposal to bring forward a Private Members' Bill to limit the rights of publicly-funded bodies to take to the courts for defamation or libel cases.

As a lawyer I would be very interested in how the legislation could be framed. There would be difficulties in terms of restricting rights of access to the courts. One would have to look at that but I empathise with the Senator's position. It would be an interesting debate to have in the House. I suggest that it could tabled as a Private Members' motion which would allow us to look at how it could be framed rather than drafting legislation. That is just my thought.