Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Let us wait and see what the man has to say.
A number of Members raised medical cards, which is a matter that was raised yesterday. We will ask the Minister for Health to come to the House to speak on that specific matter. He will be in the House for two hours today to discuss another matter on which he was requested to attend. It is important to note that 96.4% of the reviews on medical cards that have been carried out confirm continuing eligibility but that is no consolation to the people who have been put in the position of having to provide documentation on more than one occasion in some instances. The matter will have to be addressed. The Minister has said he will deal with it. I will ask him to come to the House to speak to us on discretionary medical cards. The Taoiseach has said the Government will examine the issue and deal with it as a matter of urgency.
Senator Bacik called for a debate on homelessness. On numerous occasions I have asked the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, to come to the House and I will continue to ask her to have such a debate. We will have a debate today on rent supplement, which was sought by a number of Members. The debate will be with the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton. The Senator also commented on the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Act and the implication for women in politics. It is good to see that we now have more than 21% of women elected to local authorities. That is a significant improvement on the previous local election results.
Senator O'Donovan raised the fisheries (amendment) Bill. I understand that the heads of the Bill have not yet been cleared by the Cabinet. Fianna Fáil tabled a Private Members' motion last November on fisheries and maritime jurisdictions but I will ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, to come to the House for a further debate on fisheries. The Senator also inquired about job creation in the regions. I will ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, to come to the House for a debate on the issue.
Senator Healy Eames raised EU legislation and EU scrutiny. It is part of the Government's proposals being considered by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, CPP, for the House, which I am sure will be accepted. An improved economy means improved benefits for people also. That is what the economy is about.
Senator Leyden spoke about Roscommon hospital. He should ask the consultants there whether the hospital has improved in recent years. The consultants have said the hospital is a lot better off now than during the period to which Senator Leyden referred.
Senators Moran and Wilson referred to the death of former councillor, Owen Bannigan. I echo their sentiments and express our sympathy to the Bannigan family on the death of Owen in his early 50s. He was an outstanding councillor. I knew him well. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Senator Quinn warned that we should not throw away the gains made in the economy and that we should not change tack at this stage. I will find out the exact position on upward-only rents and whether legislation in that regard will be tested by the Attorney General. We will have to wait and see what the Government decides but I will inquire on the status of the Bill. I agree with what the Senator said about graffiti. It is not something tourists like to see and it should be tackled as a matter of urgency. I am sure local authorities are doing that but they need the help of parents in particular where children are concerned. I note the point he made in that regard.
Senator Jim D'Arcy emphasised the importance of economic stability but also the need for people to benefit from the recovery.

Senator Wilson spoke from experience regarding seat losses and what should and should not be done.

Senator Michael D’Arcy raised the issue of the provision of the multiple sclerosis drug, fampyra, which was also raised yesterday by Senator Darragh O’Brien. As I said yesterday, this matter should be addressed by the Minister in a compassionate way. If people’s conditions are improving because of a drug, then funding for it should be made available.

Senator Mullins called for the Minister for Justice and Equality to attend the House for a debate on crime. I will request she attends. She was here yesterday for the DNA database Bill which will be of assistance to the Garda in fighting crime. It is one of several provisions the Minister will be bringing before the House in this term.