Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senators O'Brien, Conway and Gilroy raised the need for early intervention in speech and language therapy for special needs children and called for the Minister for Health to come to the House today. I understand the Minister is out of the country today but I will endeavour to have him come to the House to discuss this matter. Obviously, funding will have to be diverted from some other area in the health service to rectify this situation, but I hope the Minister will be in a position to come here soon to address that matter.

Senator Bacik spoke about the positive economic indicators in recent weeks and suggested that extra funding should be provided for services in health, education and social welfare. There is also a suggestion that people in work should get something back. It is a question of balance, and I am sure the Minister for Finance will preside over a prudent policy, as he has done for the past number of years in the preparation of his budget. Senator Bacik also spoke about climate change and asked that we have another debate in the House, referring to the conference on climate change in New York.

Senator Zappone raised the need for clarity in the area of abortion. I urge the Senator to correspond with the Minister and get answers to the questions posed, but I will certainly ask the Minister to come to the House to deal with that matter also.

Senator Norris spoke on the Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill and rightly stated that the Bill is practically a copy of the Bill Senator Burke introduced in this House. I believe the Government should have amended that Bill rather than bringing in a new one, but, as Senator Burke stated, it is very important, and he supports fully the passage of the Bill.

Senator Norris, in regard to opinion polls, suggested that the public now favour abortion. I am sure we will return to that debate in the future.

Senator Byrne and Senator Healy Eames raised the appointment of a gentleman, John McNulty, to a position in order to qualify him for the Seanad cultural and educational panel.

This is a load of nonsense and where it came from I do not know.