Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Diarmuid Wilson also welcomed them and stated, in response to Senator Ned O'Sullivan, that they would be for people well outside the Pale, including from County Cavan. The jobs will bring the workforce to 2,900 by 2018, a tremendous vote of confidence in the country and its young people. We are creating 1,000 jobs a week, but we need to continue at that rate and these jobs will certainly assist us in doing so.

Senator Diarmuid Wilson also commented on the chief executive officer of PayPal, Ms Louise Phelan, whose brother was a former Member of the House. Her efforts in driving the success of the company are to be acknowledged.

Senator Aideen Hayden raised the issue of immigration reform in the United States and mentioned the efforts by the Tánaiste, who is in Washington to raise this and other issues. The Senator also called for a debate on the situation in Iraq in early course.

Senator Kathryn Reilly referred to budgetary decisions, which will certainly be based on the figures for revenue, taxes and economic growth. It is far too early to predict what will prevail in October, but I will ask the Minister for Finance to come to the House after the recess for a pre-budget debate.

Senator Martin Conway wished members of the banking inquiry committee well in their deliberations and praised the Government's decision on discretionary medical cards.

Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú spoke about the commemoration of the 1916 Rising. The Minister, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, will be in the House shortly and if the Senator raises the issue, it will assist me in getting him to come to the House for such a debate. I note his point and that of Senator Colm Burke on moving the remains of Thomas Ceannt, in which I am sure the Minister will be very interested and to which I am sure he will respond.

Senator Denis Landy spoke about the greyhound industry and the obvious delay in producing the Indecon report. The practices referred to by the Senator are reprehensible and do nothing for the image of the industry. I will inquire of the Minister when the report will be published with a view to having it circulated as soon as possible.

Senator James Heffernan called for greater cost-cutting measures in the public service so far as the printing of Bills is concerned.

Senator Rónán Mullen spoke about the undocumented Irish. He also spoke about the Our Ocean Wealth conference and called for a debate on the integrated marine plan.

Senator Mary White spoke about the position at Bausch & Lomb. All that Senator David Cullinane the other Oireachtas Members, including me, did was to support the unions and the workers in their efforts. I praise them for their very responsible attitude in this very difficult dispute. Their decision involved major sacrifices for themselves and their families. I also compliment the unions and all those involved on the retention of so many jobs in Waterford that are very badly needed. I urge the company to immediately put measures in place to provide for the promised capital investment which would ensure a brighter economic future for the workers.

I note Senator John Kelly's points on medical cards, an issue he has raised on a number of occasions and on which I have responded.

Senator Feargal Quinn asked when we would implement the Construction Contracts Bill. I will inquire and revert to him.

Senator John Whelan referred to the Taoiseach's decision on a Cabinet reshuffle. That is entirely a matter for the Taoiseach and I am sure he will make the decision at the appropriate time. Regarding the granting of planning permission for wind farms before guidelines are introduced, I will invite the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to come to the House to discuss the matter.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan spoke about swinging cuts to councillors' expenses. There was a cut to their representation allowance. Many people do not know that the allowance of approximately €16,000 is taxed. Councillors also pay PRSI on it, even though they are not entitled to a pension. The public is not aware of some of these points and, as we all know, many councillors do tremendous work in their communities. They have suffered many cuts since the election.

Senator Colm Burke spoke about restructuring the way we deal with medical negligence cases and called for a debate and action on the matter. I will bring it to the attention of the Minister for Health.

Senator Jim Walsh referred to the case of Meriam Ibrahim, an issue which was also raised by Senators Fidelma Healy Eames and Rónán Mullen yesterday. We welcome the efforts of Senator Rónán Mullen in drafting an all-party motion which we will certainly consider. On the actions of the Government to date, I suggested yesterday that the Senator raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames spoke about social welfare matters. I understand a social welfare (miscellaneous provisions) Bill will be brought before the House in the coming weeks and it will provide an ideal opportunity for the Senator to raise the matters to which she referred.

I wondered where Senator John Crown was leading us to. We debated the plain packaging of tobacco Bill in the House. As we learned, there was very strong lobbying by the US Chamber of Commerce and the Senator asked for an appropriate response. The most appropriate response is for both Houses to pass the Bill at the earliest possible opportunity.

Senator Darragh O'Brien spoke about the expert panel on medical cards and stated nurses were not involved in it.

Senators Denis O'Donovan and Brian Ó Domhnaill called for a debate on the beef industry and action in dealing with the alleged cartel of beef processors in controlling prices. I will certainly invite the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, to the House to discuss the issue. I am under orders from Senator Denis O'Donovan to have a debate on the fishing industry also. We will have the Minister in the House. He has been very responsive to requests for debates in the House; it is a matter of finding out when he can come and the subject on which we will have a debate.

If Senator Thomas Byrne had been here earlier for the Order of Business, he would have known that the debate on the housing Bill was not guillotined in Dáil Éireann. That is the reason it is not before us today.