Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Leader of the Opposition, Senator O'Brien, spoke on conservation and metering. That is certainly very important and I am sure we will have a very comprehensive debate this evening on that matter. Conservation is still very important because we found out that there were about 22 houses in the country that were metered that had a leakage of over 1 million gallons a day, which is sufficient to give water to a town as big as Gorey. That was discovered because of the metering that was put in place. There is a need for metering and conservation and it is still very much part of the Government's policy. I am not aware of any motion on this, but we will be having legislation on this matter in the House before Christmas to copper-fasten the proposals made by Government next week, so we will have further debate on that legislation when it comes before us in the next few weeks.

Senator O'Brien also called for a debate on the draft guidelines of the Central Bank on mortgages. We will try to facilitate that. As he said, the consultation process is in progress and if I can I will have the Minister come to the House to debate that matter.

Senator Bacik raised the issue of violence against women in the home and called for a debate on the justice committee report on same. I will try to arrange that early in the new year. She also called for a debate on third level education and access to that. This is something other Members have also sought and I will try to get the Minister for Education in on that matter also.

Senator Norris spoke on the condition of several rental properties and the dereliction of properties in Dublin, particularly in the inner city. I would have thought that would be a matter for Dublin City Council to address, but I agree with many of his sentiments in regard to the dereliction in many parts of our capital city. He has also called for a debate on the Middle East. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade will be in the Seanad next Thursday for a debate on that issue.

Senator Naughton welcomed the new bike scheme in Galway and the benefits that will accrue from a point of view of both tourism and health.

Senator O'Donovan called for a debate on NAMA, a progress report and an update on the activities of NAMA, and he mentioned some instances. I will try to get the Minister for Finance in here on that matter.

Senators Coghlan, Mullins, and Noone condemned the cutting down of the high cross on Carrauntoohil. I am sure it will be restored without further delay by the community in County Kerry.

Senator Barrett spoke on the treatment and the exploitation of staff in an embassy here. I agree totally with him. That type of exploitation should not and will not be condoned and I am delighted with the awards the three ladies received. They were well justified.

Senator Comiskey complimented the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, on his efforts to solve the problems involved in the beef crisis and wished him well on that matter. He also commented on the closing of 14 Ulster Bank offices nationwide and the problems that will accrue for local communities as a result.

Senator MacSharry spoke about coroner's costs and asked who would pick up the bill. As he said, local authorities have been paying up until now. They are sizeable costs for some local authorities and I am aware that we have had a Coroners Bill on the agenda for several years now. I will try to ascertain the current status of that Bill and I note the Senator's points in that regard.

Senator Higgins raised the issue of farm inspections and called for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, to come to the House and address that matter. The Minister will be here in the next week or two to discuss sustainability in farming, and there might be an opportunity to address the issue at that point.

Senator Craughwell spoke about funding for non-Gaeltacht islands and the withdrawal of some funding, amounting to €600,000. I will raise this with the appropriate Minister - I presume it would the Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Joe McHugh, but I am not sure - and I will try to get an answer for the Senator.

Senator Mullins and others called on the ASTI and the TUI to withdraw strike threats regarding the changes to the junior cycle. Members have expressed different opinions on that and on the call for the unions to ballot their members. I imagine the unions would say they have a mandate from their members in this regard. Ultimately, it is very important that both sides take stock of the situation and negotiate an amicable settlement. Senator Mooney also commented on the issue of junior cycle reform.

Senator Kelly commented on the zoning and dezoning of land. That is a matter for the local authorities, though I agree with him that when people have spent so much money on the development of land, this should be taken into consideration.

Senator Quinn lauded the benefits of the leaving certificate applied and emphasised the need for further training and upskilling to fill up to 7,000 job vacancies. We would all agree with him on that.

Senator Burke discussed the €50 million investment in office space in Cork and the fact that over 60% of that space has already been or is about to be taken up. There are several other good news stories on jobs in the Cork region. Senator Burke also raised the issue of the employment of agency staff in the HSE and the need to implement the recommendations of various reports.

Senators Cullinane and Crown raised the issue of hospital waiting lists. Senator Cullinane highlighted the 6,300 people in the south-east, particularly in Waterford, who have been on waiting lists for over a year. I agree with him that this is far too many people to be waiting for over a year in Waterford alone. Indeed, as Senator Crown has mentioned, there are 50,000 people in this position nationally. There are vacancies for up to 23 consultant posts in University Hospital Waterford at present and that would certainly be one of the reasons for the long waiting list. Another issue is the number of DNAs - people who do not attend their appointments, of whom there are thousands, and other people are suffering as a result. That has not been highlighted sufficiently in Waterford or nationwide. People who do not turn up for appointments should be aware that they are depriving other people who may need that appointment. They should notify the consultants and clinics involved.

Senator Coghlan, with others, congratulated Katie Taylor, who is probably one of our greatest ever sportspersons. It is appropriate that Senator Coghlan, another gold medalist, should sing her praises.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames called for a debate on the teaching profession and said teachers would go on strike because they feel unwanted. I do not think this is why they are to go on strike. I will seek to have the Minister for Education and Skills come before the House for a debate on this subject in addition to the other education matters that have been raised.

Senator Brennan raised water metering costs, and I am sure he will make his points in the debate after the Order of Business.

Senator Crown called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to make representations to the Government of Pakistan seeking the release of a lady. I will speak to the Minister in this regard but he will be before this House on Thursday so the Senator may wish to make his points then. I note his points on waiting lists and the increase in what he calls bureaucrats in the HSE.

Senator Catherine Noone raised the PricewaterhouseCoopers, PwC, report on corporation tax, noting that it emphasises the transparency in the system.

Regarding Senator Rónán Mullen's contribution, it is difficult to achieve five in a row in any walk of life, but we must wait and see. Regarding changes to capital acquisition tax, the Finance Bill is being debated in the other House as we speak and will before us in the coming weeks. There will be ample opportunity for him to raise his points at that stage.

Senator Imelda Henry congratulated the new Garda Commissioner, Ms Nóirín O'Sullivan, on her appointment. She will have a very difficult task in many ways and I am sure we all wish her every success in her new position.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan raised the junior certificate cycle and examination and emphasised that the marking of exam papers is not as easy as people think. I note his points on this.