Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Order of Business has been dominated by three subjects, Leader programme funding, Garth Brooks and Israel and the situation in Gaza. Senator Mooney called for clarity in respect of Leader programme funding and county development boards. I will ask the Minister to come into the House. We have a great deal of legislation to deal with between now and next Friday, but I will ask the Minister to address that matter. Let me remind Members that we had a very comprehensive debate when this legislation was on its passage through the House and many Members spoke on that issue at that time. We are proposing to have a debate on what has been discussed already but I will try to facilitate it. I am not quite sure whether the Minister will come in to deal with this issue. Of course, it has been agreed that we will debate the CEDRA report on rural Ireland as soon as the Minister is available.

Senator O'Keeffe complimented the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, on his stewardship of the Department. She also raised the question of the atrocities in Gaza. There is a need for an international response. I have heard balanced views from both sides of the House on the subject and I agree we should have a debate on it but both the Government and the EU have responded in statements calling clearly for all sides to act with restraint. The Minister has been making representations with his European counterparts on that subject. Let us hope that sanity will prevail and that we can curb the current loss of life.

Senator Barrett raised the question of Setanta Insurance and I agree with him that it is a disgrace that the Irish taxpayer may be liable for some of the risks. Proper regulation of this sector is of paramount importance and needs to be done as a matter of urgency, whether it means amending legislation or whatever, it should be attended to as Senator Barrett has outlined.

I mentioned Garth Brooks yesterday and have spoken on it. We hope that the five concerts may be able to go ahead or some compromise may be reached in that regard. It is of importance to the business community and all involved in the capital city. We hope some agreement can be reached in that regard. I am not going to get into all the cliches. I never realised that so many Members of the House knew so much about country music, as well as all the song titles as we heard this morning.

Senator Hayden raised the matter of the Samsung Electronics Company investigating claims that child labour may have been used in producing some of its goods. It will be interesting to find out the situation in that regard.

I note the points made by Senator Quinn yesterday on the proposed national children's hospital. Senator Keane raised the need for changing the provisions in the local government Act regarding county developments boards. Senator Ó Clochartaigh raised a number of issues, which were also raised by other Members yesterday. Senator Kelly asked for a debate on banking. I understand there will be a banking Bill coming before the House next week so that may be an opportunity for Senator Kelly to raise the points that he raised today.

Senator Brennan raised the efforts to tackle homelessness and the funding that has been put in place to refurbish houses in many local authority areas. I am sure that is to be welcomed by all. Senator Moran raised the question of ambulance breakdowns. It is an important subject and I am sure all of these ambulances are serviced regularly. I would be very surprised if they were not regularly serviced but I would agree that the situation should be investigated and I am sure it is being investigated as we speak. I agree totally with the comments she made on people parking in disabled spaces. That is a despicable practice.

Senator Crown asked a question on the amendment of the GP Bill. I think suggestions that the Bill could be held up for six months are totally premature. The Minister will come to the House to deal with the matter on Report Stage and there is no suggestion that he will not accept the amendment that was passed on Committee Stage. We will have to wait and see what happens on Report Stage on that matter.

Senator Conway raised the question of having a debate on history and civics in September and I will try to arrange that.

That covers most of the items. I do not propose to accept the amendment to the order of business as proposed.