Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I amend the Order of Business to indicate that we will have the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport here at 3 o'clock.

Senator Bacik, and indeed all Senators, have made very good contributions and outlined their personal, family and other circumstances in regard to the programme on Áras Attracta. The contributions were very touching. We will try to arrange a debate on the matter as soon as possible.

Senator Bacik also called for a debate on development strategies and development organisation. We will try to facilitate it in the new year.

Senator Zappone inquired about the gender recognition Bill. It is at quality assurance stage in the Office of the Attorney General and we are fairly positive that it will be published before Christmas.

The criminal law (sexual offences) Bill is a complicated piece of legislation to draft. Further heads need to be added to make it as robust as possible in order for it to achieve its aim of protecting vulnerable persons against sexual exploitation and abuse. I am not in a position to say when we will have the heads in that regard.

Senator Zappone has drawn attention to the fact that today is International Human Rights Day. She also mentioned that there is a need for the Government to recognise the Traveller ethnic identity, a recommendation which came from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality.

I will try to find out the position as regards advancing that also.

Senator Quinn spoke about the report of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the importance of customer service, and called for a debate on that matter. I will try to get the Minister to come to the House in the new year for a debate on that important report.

Senator Naughton, and other Senators, congratulated RTE on its investigative work as shown on the "Prime Time" programme and called for a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch.

Senators Denis O'Donovan, Colm Burke and Michael Mullins raised the issue of delays with the national car test. Senator O'Donovan mentioned that the earliest date he could get was mid-March. Senator Mullins made the important point that people who applied and have been given a date should be exempt from penalties. I do not know whether that is the position but the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, will be in the House next week for a road traffic Bill. That will be the appropriate time to raise those points with the Minister, and I am sure he will take them on board.

Senator Moloney rightly emphasised that we have many excellent care staff and facilities throughout the country, and that we must not lose sight of that. She stated also, and I agree with her, that we cannot train people to have compassion. That comes by nature in many cases.

Senator Cullinane spoke about the right to protest about water charges. I can assure the Deputy that the Government has listened, and will continue to listen, in that regard.

Senator Comiskey spoke about the extra funding for farming and agricultural matters, and the need to combat ash dieback disease on which we had a comprehensive and informative debate in this House last year.

Senator Moran raised the need for an independent inquiry into Áras Attracta and for the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, to come into the House. As has been pointed out, the amendment to the Order of Business was not seconded but I will amend the Order of Business now that the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, would come to the House for statements on that programme from 7 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. to allow us express our views, and the Minister of State has agreed to do that. I am proposing that amendment as I mentioned at the outset.

I think I have covered most of the items Members have raised and apologies if I have not answered some people.