Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Darragh O’Brien referred to IAG. No formal bid has been made. The Minister has said he will examine all the details and the Government will make a decision on the matter at that point.

The Senator also raised the issue of Fampyra, the drug for sufferers of multiple sclerosis. As Senator Darragh O’Brien mentioned, he raised the matter on several occasions. I have raised the matter with the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, and he came to the House for a debate on 25 November to discuss the matter. I assure the Senator that I will continue to raise the issue with the Minister. As Senator Barrett indicated, the Minister is making tremendous efforts in order to reduce the cost of drugs, which is very important. We all compliment him in that regard and hope he has success. I will again raise Fampyra with him.

Senator Bacik welcomed the announcement of the 250 jobs in Accenture, and the 100 extra gardaí who have commenced training in Templemore. That is to be welcomed also.

Senator Zappone spoke about homelessness and rent allowance. I understand the Labour Party Private Members’ motion next week will be on housing and the rental sector. We will have ample opportunity to discuss all such issues at the time.

Senator Zappone also raised the issue of the recommendations of the Constitutional Convention. The Government has taken into consideration everything from the Constitution Convention but, of course, it is not bound by all the recommendations of it.

Senator Barrett outlined details on Aer Lingus and IAG, the discussions which took place at the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications and an effort to gag the committee. He called on the takeover panel to back off. That is something which has been reiterated by other Members of the House also. I am sure that the committee will continue to try to have officials from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport come before it on this matter.

Senator Paul Coghlan raised the plight of the hen harrier. He was raising the issue of birds' nests last week. We heard Senator O'Sullivan again on seagulls. We are gone for the birds there. However, the killing of that protected species, the hen harrier, is a serious matter.