Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that and would welcome the co-operation of all sides of the House in moving this very progressive Bill forward.

A number of Senators raised the question of mother and baby homes and welcomed the establishment of the inquiry. I have asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Charles Flanagan, to come to the House tomorrow or Thursday for statements on this very important issue. He has acceded to the request and it is more than likely that we will have statements on the matter on Thursday. I will give the House notice of the exact time for this debate and I hope all Members who made contributions on the issue on the Order of Business will be there to take part.

Senator Byrne also raised the matter of wind turbines. Although I do not propose to accept the amendment to the Order of Business, I will invite the Minister here in early course to address the issue. I will do my best to have the Minister come here.

Senator Bacik raised the matter of domestic violence and abuse and the shocking figures from SAFE Ireland which she mentioned. She also said the justice committee is about to report on the issue and we can arrange a debate on that report as soon as it is published.

Senator Mullen raised the question of building control regulations, which were formulated to ensure we have proper standards for building. I think the Minister came in for a debate on the issue. The Senator can correct me if I am wrong. If the Senator has specific issues, I suggest he tabled an Adjournment debate matter.

Senator Naughton raised the issue of mother and baby homes more than two weeks ago and welcomed the inquiry, and I am sure she will participate in the debate.

Senators O'Donovan, Jim D'Arcy and others raised the matter of job creation in the regions and called for a debate on it.

The Minister, Deputy Bruton, came to the House to discuss another matter on the Adjournment last week, but I agree he should come to the House to discuss this matter and I will tender the request.

Senator O'Donovan also called for a debate on the fishing industry. He mentioned that the Minister, Deputy Coveney, came to the House to discuss the Common Agricultural Policy negotiations a number of weeks ago. I will renew my representations to him on a debate on the fishing industry. On this matter Senator Terry Brennan also called for a debate on inshore fishing, and this debate would be taken in conjunction with the overall debate on the fishing industry.

Senator Hayden complimented Senator Zappone on her Bill, which we will discuss today and which addresses fundamental issues of human rights. I am sure it will be a very good debate.

Senator Barrett raised points on the public service obligation levy and the report of the Commission for Energy Regulation. This is another matter which we can ask the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, to come to the House to discuss.

Senator Conway spoke about the Health Information and Quality Authority report on the emergency department at University Hospital Limerick. The Limerick group is the first hospital group to be assessed against HIQA's national standards for safer and better health care. This reform will improve the quality and safety of services for patients who use them. The HSE has identified actions which have been and will be taken to address the concerns raised and provide an improved and safer service for patients. As the Senator mentioned, an extensive capital project is under way to build a new emergency department which will open in 2016. In the interim, the HSE has advised the Department of Health that a number of initiatives have been put in place to address the current limitations for patients and staff in the emergency department. In particular, since the review visit, a separate paediatric emergency area has fully opened which provides a separate area for children who require an emergency response. A new €35 million critical care unit opened recently at University Hospital Limerick, which is a major step forward in the development of acute hospital services in the region. I will certainly bring attention to the matter raised by Senator Conway on the accident and emergency departments in the hospitals in Ennis and Nenagh.

Senators Ó Clochartaigh and MacSharry spoke about the issue of discretionary medical cards and the location of the original files. This matter will have to be addressed as well. I will certainly ask the Minister to come to the House to clarify the situation. The Minister has assured everyone the matter will be dealt with in early course, and perhaps we can have an update on it to clarify the situation.

Senator Burke raised the recruitment of non-consultant hospital doctors, a matter which the Senator has raised on a number of occasions in the House. I am sure the Minister is well aware of the matter. It is another issue we will try to get the Minister to come to the House to discuss.

Senators Quinn and White raised the issue of the vaccination against shingles which is available in Northern Ireland. We will try to get an update to see whether this matter can be progressed here as soon as possible. Senators Quinn, Mullins and Jim D'Arcy welcomed the 6,000 additional Springboard places and the array of courses available to people participating in the scheme. They also called for a debate to review the scheme after its three years in operation.

I am sure the Minister, Deputy Quinn, would be willing to come to this House and discuss that matter.

Senator Jim D'Arcy referred to the creation of 1,000 jobs per week and the improvement in the economy.

Senator Power spoke on mother and baby homes and there will be a debate on that matter in this House this week. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Flanagan, has indicated that he will attend.

Senator Michael D'Arcy raised the issue of job creation in the south east, particularly his own county of Wexford. I will ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, to come before the House on that matter.

Senator Paul Coghlan spoke of the 50th anniversary of the reopening of Muckross House and I am sure that will be raised at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.

Senator Noone spoke of legislation on the packaging of tobacco. The Minister for Health intends to introduce such legislation and I understand it will be published this week. I have given my full support to the Minister on progressing this matter through the House in an orderly fashion and I am sure all Members of the House would support such legislation. We are taking the lead on this issue and the Minister should be complimented on his efforts.