Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everyone back to the Seanad. I do not know whether Members met the group of former IBRC mortgage holders outside Leinster House today. Many of the 13,000 loans are performing and have no protection under Irish legislation. Those concerned have no protection under Irish legislation since their mortgages were sold on. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, stated that he would introduce legislation to protect such people in 2015. Our understanding is that legislation will not be retrospective and will deal with future sales of mortgage books to international vulture funds. I have raised this issue on a number of occasions in the House. Colleagues on both sides share my concern. There are 13,000 mortgage holders in Ireland who had the protection of the Central Bank and the watered down code of conduct on mortgage arrears. I would like the Leader to ask the Minister, Deputy Noonan, what his intention is in that regard, when he will publish legislation, and not to forget those who have already had their legs taken from under them because their mortgages have been sold on. We can do some work in this regard to ensure everyone gets the protection they need.

I raised the issue of the MS drug Fampyra a number of times before the recess and had hoped the matter had been resolved. I wrote on numerous occasions to the previous Minister for Health and raised the issue with the current Minister in the House. Hundreds of MS sufferers across Ireland were availing of the drug which improved their mobility and gave them back their independence. Since 1 July this year they have not been able to access the drug. I wrote to the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, and he said the drug company had sent a revised proposal to him on 22 July. We are now in the middle of September. I have received e-mails from people who are no longer working and I know of two women who cannot work because their mobility is so bad. The drug costs only €270 a month. I ask the Leader to use his good office to lean on the HSE to make a decision in regard to this drug immediately. I would welcome the intervention of the Leader.

I give a guarded welcome to the announcement yesterday from the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald, on the civilianisation of immigration services in Dublin Airport. The Minister stated this will free up 125 gardaí for front line duty with the transfer of staff from her Department to look after immigration in the airport. My initial reaction is that this is a good move. I ask that the Minister come before the House to take questions on this issue.

We are all aware, however, that a large number of Garda stations, not only in rural locations but also in urban areas, have had their staff numbers reduced or part-time staffing introduced, while others have been closed. Within a short distance of Dublin Airport, for example, Malahide and Howth Garda stations close at 9 p.m., and Whitehall and Rush stations have been closed. In regard to the 125 gardaí the Minister has indicated will be released to core policing duties, it would be helpful to have details of the roll-out, including where and how soon they will be posted. It would be welcome if the Minister uses those resources to beef up Garda numbers in areas where the previous Minister reduced them. Will the Leader arrange for the Minister to come in at the earliest opportunity to outline her plans in this regard and answer questions on the proposed civilianisation of immigration services at Dublin Airport?