Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

That should pre-empt the scaremongering in which people have been engaging in respect of this matter.

Senator O'Donnell referred to the death of Dermot Healy, arts and education and sentencing. Like her, I was hugely impressed by the dignity shown and inspirational words spoken by the parents of a young German student who was murdered in Ireland and whose killer was recently sentenced. I would like the House to engage in a debate on sentencing because I am of the view that it would be a good exercise. However, the sentences handed down in individual cases are a matter for the courts. In 1993 the Oireachtas introduced legislation by means of which the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, was provided with the power to appeal any sentence imposed on the grounds of undue leniency. That is an important mechanism to review sentences where an issue in respect of leniency arises.

Senator Sheahan requested a debate on homelessness with the Minister for Social Protection. We can certainly seek such a debate in the autumn. The Minister will be coming before the House tomorrow to deal with the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill. The Senator also sought a debate on an issue relating to a particular individual, which, I understand, may be the subject of one of the matters on the Adjournment.

Senator Cullinane requested a wide-ranging debate on health care, particularly in the context of funding and recruitment difficulties within the health service. I will be happy to ask the Leader to facilitate such a debate.

Tomorrow we will debate three health Bills, including the ground-breaking Bill providing for universal health care for children under the age of six years which I hope will be supported by all sides.

Senator Terry Brennan referred to the free travel scheme. I believe I have dealt with that issue.

Senator Denis O'Donovan paid tribute to the Minister for Justice and Equality in respect of the radical policing reforms being proposed by the justice committee which are reflected in the heads of the Bill on GSOC oversight she has seen approved by the Cabinet today. I agree absolutely with the Senator that these are important reforms for which I hope there will be cross-party support in the House, as was the case at meetings of the justice committee. The required reforms became very clear to us in the hearings we had with representatives of GSOC, the Garda Inspectorate and other bodies. It is very important that better oversight be provided for.

Senator Denis O'Donovan also referred to the education Bill that we are to consider this evening. I agree with him that it is not ideal to have a Bill debated in the House so soon after its publication and gather the reason is the lack of ministerial availability later in the week. He also mentioned the need to have debates on farming and fishing. I have been provided with a list of the debates we have had. We have had quite a few wide-ranging debates on a series of such topics, apart from specific debates on agriculture Bills or issues such as greyhound racing. The most recent was on 22 January with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, in which only nine Senators spoke. There were statements on CAP reform in October 2013 and again only nine Senators spoke. There was also a debate on the CAP in October 2012. I am happy, however, to ask the Minister to return to the House for another such debate and he is always very willing to do so. He is one of the Ministers who attends most regularly.

Senator Catherine Noone welcomed the reduction in roaming charges agreed to by the European Commission. We all agree with it. The Senator also commented on water safety in the wake of the dreadful tragic drownings of two children, which are absolutely devastating for the two families involved. We all send our condolences to the bereaved families. The Senator also referred to alcohol pricing and asked for the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Alex White, to come to the House to discuss this issue and Government policy thereon. We can certainly look for such a debate.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames asked for debates on the issues of sentencing and pensions. We can ask for them.

I am happy to agree to Senator Lorraine Henry's amendment to the Order of Business to allow the Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2014, No. 18 on the Order Paper, to be taken.

Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú referred to the free travel pass. I have dealt with that issue, particularly the Fianna Fáil doublespeak thereon.

Senator Michael Comiskey referred to the cost for hauliers of insurance and moving in and out of Northern Ireland. Perhaps this issue might be raised as a matter on the Adjournment as it might secure a debate or a ministerial response more swiftly than calling for statements.

Senator Thomas Byrne called for a debate on the commission chaired by the former Supreme Court judge, Ms Catherine McGuinness, the electricity commission and EirGrid. We can certainly seek a full debate on it once the report is published.

Senator Martin Conway called for a debate on the issue of sentencing and asked for the Chief Justice to be brought before the Seanad. We can certainly put it to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. We would have to examine the matter in the context of our constitutional framework, but it is an interesting model. The Senator also referred to issues concerning water safety and litter on beaches. We all concur with him in that regard.

Senator Mary White referred to the free travel pass scheme. I have referred to that issue.

Senator Pat O'Neill referred to free travel and including swimming lessons in the curriculum. I believe they are included in the curriculum for second class pupils in national schools. As part of the national physical education programme, all students take swimming lessons every week. However, I agree with the Senator on the need to roll out the Irish water safety scheme to ensure children are also trained in water safety and rescue methods in water. As he did, I pay tribute to the work of lifeguards who rescued over 500 people last year.

The Senator also sought a debate on agriculture. We have such debates regularly with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, whom we can certainly invite to come to the House again.

Senator Rónán Mullen referred to the free travel scheme and sought a debate on the review of EirGrid and the subject of underground cables. We can seek such debates.

Senator John Crown referred to the health budget and called for a debate on it and certain figures. I have a briefing document in this regard and the Senator will be well aware of many of the figures. To be clear, the Government is committed to introducing the most comprehensive and radical reform of the health care system. This was a major matter of policy proposed by both the Labour Party and Fine Gael before the last general election. As part of it, we will see a new system of universal health insurance introduced, with strong financial incentives through the introduction of the money-follows-the-patient principle. This is a new funding model, as the Senator is well aware. The reforms being introduced in the health system are in the context of an increase in the population, demographic changes and an ageing population. There has been population growth of 8% since 2008 and a €3.3 billion reduction in the budget since 2008, as well as large staffing reductions, about which the Senator spoke.

The reforms we have seen have saved the taxpayer over €500 million including, for example, savings relating to the use of generic drugs. We have tackled waiting lists and the issue of patients waiting on trolleys, the number of whom has been reduced by one third in the past two years. For the first time, an out-patient waiting list was compiled in March 2013 while MRSA infections are at their lowest levels since record-keeping commenced.

These are some good news stories from the health service. Even in the boom years, we saw overspending in the health service with, arguably, less efficient returns. Certainly, the Senator might want to seek to table a matter on the Adjournment to address the specific issue of the information sought. However, I can also ask the Leader to arrange a debate on health care more generally, which Senator Cullinane also sought. We will have three health Bills in with us tomorrow while the Health Service Executive (Financial Matters) Bill will be before the House on Thursday. The Minister for Health will, therefore, be in the House for extensive periods this week.