Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I met the members of SPARK at the time, but I will certainly seek another debate on the issue.

Senator John Kelly raised the issue of delays in respect of visa applications and called for a debate on the matter. The Senator spoke eloquently about how frustrating this is. I ask him to table it as a matter on the Adjournment to the Minister for Justice and Equality, as that mechanism would provide a quicker response on the issue.

Senator Mark Daly raised the issue of appointments to State boards. I gave a full answer to the Senator on this issue on Tuesday and have sought a debate on it. He referred also to the ending of the Pobal grant for the Irish Deaf Society advocacy service. I have raised that issue with Labour Party Ministers and, since Tuesday, I have got information on it. I suggest the Senator write to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, as I intend to do, to ask that he reconsider that grant.

Senator Daly referred to a debate on centenaries which Senator Darragh O'Brien had sought earlier in the week. In fact, what Senator Darragh O'Brien sought, rather unusually, was to have the former Taoiseach Mr. John Bruton come to the House. I suggested that the Committee on Procedure and Privileges might consider that request.

Senator Terry Brennan called for a debate on a report due to be published next month on possible changes to motor tax for hauliers. This issue was raised on Tuesday by Senator Michael Comiskey, at which time I suggested that he seek to raise it as a matter on the Adjournment. After the report is published, it would be appropriate to raise it in September.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames raised the issue of the local property tax. I have already sought that debate. She called also for a debate on lone parent families. I have already agreed to seek that debate. The Senator also paid tribute to the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, with which we would all like to join.

Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill called for a debate on energy prices in light of the consultation currently being carried out by the Commission for Energy Regulation. I will certainly ask if we may have that debate in due course. I would suggest, however, that it might be appropriate to have the issue debated at the Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in the first instance, as it may be possible to invite the Commission for Energy Regulation to appear before the committee. It may have been done already but, if so, I am not aware of it.

Senator Rónán Mullen raised the issue of the local property tax and the motion tabled by four Labour Party Deputies. I gave a full answer in the House on Wednesday on that issue. The motivation behind the motion from the Deputies was to ensure that the tax is levied in a fair and progressive manner. I think we would all agree with that view. I overlooked the Senator's personal attacks on my Labour Party colleagues in the Dáil. I am not sure whether the reference to "middle class" was an insult, but it certainly sounded like one.