Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have no intention of amending the Order of Business. Senator Bacik asked about Committee Stage of the employment equality Bill, and I will try to ascertain when that will be dealt with. She also called for a debate on the national dementia strategy. Senator Zappone spoke about Eavan Boland, and we will certainly bring the name to the Committee for Procedure and Privileges for consideration. With regard to Committee Stage of the Bill dealing with Seanad reform, the Senator is aware that I have made a number of announcements on Seanad reform. I will check to see if the Government wishes to proceed with that Bill and allow it in Government time.

Senator Barrett referred to the events in Hong Kong and democracy, rightly expressing his opinion in that regard. With regard to the EU probe into Apple's dealings with Ireland, we maintain a very transparent corporate tax regime, with most companies paying effective rates very close to the top rate of 12.5%. The Revenue Commissioners have already confirmed that Ireland does not make any special deals with individual companies and the regime is statute-based, applying to everybody. There is nothing new in the publication from the Commission, as it is a copy of a letter sent from the European Commission to Irish authorities in June, indicating the commencement of a formal state aid investigation. Ireland is confident there has been no breach of state aid rules in this case, and it already issued a formal response to the Commission earlier this month addressing in detail the concerns outlined in the opening position.

Senator Coghlan spoke about the plight of bank porters, and, as he rightly stated, they are on the front line for banks. Many of the banks now want to get rid of people and we may be talking to machines more often than people when we go into banks. I note his concern in that regard and that he will raise the matter with the bank in question. Senator MacSharry called for a debate on maternity services and I will certainly try to facilitate that. Senator Whelan discussed the Irish Wheelchair Association and the need for best practice. My understanding is that building regulations would cover the issues he mentioned but we will try to ascertain the exact position. It is very important that all the building regulations are adhered to. Inappropriate use of disabled parking zones is a despicable practice and people fined for it deserve the loss of every euro in such instances.

I have already referred to the matter of Seanad reform, which Senator Quinn mentioned. Senator Ó Domhnaill spoke of interest rates for graduate-entry medical students and sought an amendment to the Order of Business. I will certainly bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Education and Skills but I do not propose to accept the amendment to the Order of Business today. Senator Cullinane discussed events concerning the Minister of State in the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.

I read the newspapers today and some of the alleged comments attributed to the ex-councillor were unfortunate, to say the least. I have no intention of being drawn into this matter. However, it is very important for a Minister to be driven by a person that he or she implicitly trusts. I have no intention of being drawn further into the matter.

Senator Mooney mentioned the termination of 252 long wave transmission. I agreed with him, some time ago, that it is a retrograde step. A saving of €800,000 has been quoted but it will be interesting to see how he gets on when he raises this matter at an Oireachtas committee meeting in the morning.

Senator van Turnhout raised the question of graduate entry for medical students. Senators O'Donovan and Mullins mentioned the persecution of Christians in many areas of the world and called for a debate. I shall try to find out for Senator O'Donovan when the sea-fisheries (amendment) Bill will come before the House.

Senator Mullen made a number of points about the Seanad by-election and also grants for water tanks and so on which I shall bring to the attention of the relevant Minister.