Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----if he feels that what the Taoiseach and the Government have come up with is not strong enough. I ask the Senator to postpone any move, given that we are having a debate on Irish Water today and in light of the fact that the Government will clarify its stance on many issues next week.
Senators Hayden and Norris expressed significantly differing views on Ruhama, which certainly does a great deal of good work to help women in both jurisdictions - in Northern Ireland and here in Ireland. Obviously, the Senators do not agree. They have different views on Ruhama.
Senator Hayden also called for a debate on the Oireachtas committee report on mortgage lending. I will certainly try to facilitate such a debate.
Senator Hayden also commented on the question of a technological university being established in the south east. I understand that Senator Cullinane has an Adjournment matter today on that matter, which will certainly bring clarity. There is a pressing need for a university in the south east. It is Government policy. I am sure the Minister will give a full reply to Senator Cullinane this evening.
Senator Coghlan urged us to take a festina lenteapproach to the matter of a referendum on Irish Water. He said we should reflect and hasten slowly. Senator Leyden pointed out that private companies are providing services for water treatment plants, etc.
I remind Senator Higgins, who spoke about medical cards, that we had a debate with the Minister for Health yesterday. The Minister gave clarity on many issues that were raised by Senators yesterday.
Senators Quinn and Jim D'Arcy spoke about the issue of diesel laundering, which was also raised by Senator Darragh O'Brien yesterday. Great strides have been made in this regard as a result of the great co-operation between the customs services, the police forces and the laboratories in the UK and Ireland. I understand they have been successful in many instances. I have asked the Minister for Finance or the Minister of State at the Department of Finance to come to this House to update Senators on the matter. I hope we can have such a debate before this session finishes. It would be beneficial at this time.
Senator Comiskey outlined the benefits that might accrue as a result of the visit of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, to China. Senator MacSharry also commented on that matter.
Senator Healy Eames spoke about the beef crisis. I gave a comprehensive reply on that matter yesterday. I pointed out that the Minister, Deputy Coveney, has chaired the third meeting of the beef round-table between processors, farm bodies and other stakeholders in the beef sector. All the stakeholders, including the farm bodies, the meat processors, the Government agencies and representatives of Tesco and McDonald's, were present. The Minister has secured a strong endorsement from all the stakeholders for the establishment of a farmer-owned producer organisation in the beef sector. It is hoped that this will help to rebalance the negotiating powers of farmers.
In this year's budget, the Minister announced details of a beef investment package worth €74 million. The beef genomics payment will increase by €100 per animal for the first ten animals. The remaining animals will be eligible for an €80 payment per animal. The Minister is aware of what is happening. He is working to the best of his abilities to address the problems that obviously exist in the beef sector. The opening of further markets in China will certainly assist in improving prices for beef