Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I commend Senator Martin Conway for the item discussed during Private Members' business yesterday. It has been commented on by a number of Members.

Senator Feargal Quinn raised the issue of competitiveness and referred to very interesting findings. We have a great deal of work to do in that regard. I have mentioned one of the key areas of concern which requires policy attention - stable and healthy public finances. Another is the need to support productivity-enhancing investment action which is required to enhance credit flows for enterprise. The Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland Bill which will be before the House today will address that issue. The Minister for Finance said on Second Stage in the House that the Bill represented one of the most significant developments in the area since the foundation of the IDA. The Government is certainly addressing the concerns of the National Competitiveness Council in that regard. Other concerns have also been addressed.

I note Senator Quinn has raised on a number of occasions the question of food waste, which should be addressed by all the parties involved in that sector. I raised Senator O'Sullivan's concerns with the relevant Minister, and I can do no more than that.

Senator Kelly raised the question of discretionary medical cards. I am sure this will continue be addressed. Many of those cards have been restored to people who appealed at the time. I am sure, if there are any difficulties, they can and will be sorted out.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh referred to a HIQA report on a nursing home. I would urge the Senator to give any information he may have on that issue to the Minister, who I am sure will be very interested. I can assure him any HIQA report will be followed through comprehensively by the Department.

Senator Colm Burke noted the health committee will now be allowed to proceed with its work in investigating how the €3.72 billion for the 2,600 organisations is spent. He also highlighted once again the plight of junior doctors and the need for greater reform of the system. I was concerned at Senator Burke's statement in regard to agencies that people may not have the qualifications listed in job applications. That is a very serious charge and it should certainly be investigated, not alone by the health agencies but by the Garda, if wrong descriptions are being given. People's lives could be put at risk if that is the situation.

With regard to Senator Healy Eames's point, as I said yesterday, we in this House have no say on who should or should not be a Minister. I am sure the Taoiseach had a very difficult job because there are so many talented people from both parties. However, in regard to gender equality, this Government has introduced legislation whereby a 30% quota will now be in place for the next general election. That is action rather than words.

Senator Gilroy mentioned Seanad reform. We have a comprehensive suite of proposals to put forward. One of the proposals which I certainly will be trying to have is that when people on the Order of Business raise a subject, they would at least have the courtesy to wait for a reply rather than moving out of the House. I have tried to do that but I would be unfair to people on the other side of the House because I can see who is gone on the other side but I cannot see who is gone behind me. I will have to curb that in the future. I would hope that Members who raise their relevant points on the Order of Business would at least stay for a response, be they satisfied or not with that response.

Senator O'Keeffe spoke on the question of end-of-life care and the report of the health committee and the Ombudsman on that matter. I would like to point out to the Senator that we had a Private Members' motion from Senator Marie Louise O'Donnell on this matter in April. The Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, gave a very comprehensive outline of the Government supports in this regard but I will certainly see if we can have a further debate on it in the context of the reports which have come out recently.

Senator Paul Coghlan commented on and commended the work of NAMA in certain areas. Senator Noone raised the work of the European Commission on roaming charges and the improvement in the situation, while stressing there is a need for further improvement in that area. She pointed to the fact telecoms are dragging their heels and looking for loopholes, although it should not be news to us that they are doing that at every possible opportunity. The work of the European Commission in this regard is certainly to be commended from a consumer point of view.

Senator Heffernan complimented the work of the Irish Chess Union. I do not know where I can turn the Senator to in regard to funding but I am sure the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport will certainly listen to what he has to say.

Senator Hayden raised the issue of student deposits being retained by various groups. I will find out for her the current status of the Residential Tenancies (No. 2) (Amendment) Bill to which she referred.

In conclusion, I thank the Cathaoirleach, the Seanad staff, the ushers and all the staff of the House for their courtesy during this term. I wish everybody a very relaxing number of weeks before we are back in mid-September.