Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am reluctant to reply in respect of many of the points raised by those who have gone missing.

Senator Mooney quite correctly raised the leaked HSE report which deals with overpayments, copies of which many of us received. As a number of Members noted, those overpayments should be returned to the Exchequer. Those who are overpaid by the Department of Social Protection are obliged to repay the excess amounts they received. I will try to get the Minister to come before the House in order that he might discuss with us the fact that the document was leaked and also the information contained in said document. I am obliged to wonder whether Senators were meant to receive copies of the document in question.

The Senator also referred to child care. As Senator Bacik stated, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has established a task force on child care. There is a possibility that the Minister may come before the House next week in order to discuss this matter in advance of the report's publication. When the task force has issued its report, I envisage that we will certainly engage in a debate on its contents. I am trying to encourage the Minister to come before the House for a general debate on the matter in order that the House might have an input into the process.

Senator Bacik referred to child care and commented on the importance of reforms within the education sector, particularly in the context of the junior certificate. The Senator requested a debate on the Middle East following the forthcoming Israeli election. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, has come before the House to debate that matter on a number of occasions and I am sure he would be quite willing to return.

I take on board the Cathaoirleach's ruling on payments relating to the staff of the Houses. My understanding is that all staff endured similar cuts. However, it is absolutely ludicrous for people on low wages to be asked to accept further cuts. This is the first I have heard of the matter and I am of the view that it is worthy of investigation by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. Those of us on this side of the House will be raising it with our members of the commission. I am sure everybody else will do likewise. It seems very strange that a proposed pay cut such as that to which Senator Norris referred is being contemplated. We are all aware of the work the ushers do and how it complements that which we do. The ushers also support us in our work in a very courteous and mannerly way. This matter should be examined by the commission. I am sure that members of all parties and none will raise it with their representatives on the commission and, hopefully, report back to us in early course.

Senators Paul Coghlan and Wilson referred to difficulties relating to the national lottery system. As has been pointed out, this matter will be addressed by the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform next week.

Senators Leyden and Kelly referred to tobacco products and the possible loss of 50 jobs in Roscommon. I do not know whether the company involved stated that those jobs may be lost or whether Senator Leyden is suggesting that this might happen. As Senator Landy pointed out, however, tobacco is tobacco and, regardless of whether one is talking about cigarettes, cigars or pipe tobacco, it causes cancer. Members on all sides have supported the Minister with regard to plain packaging of tobacco products. We should stick by our guns and continue to support him rather than taking the parochial route, as Senator Leyden has done in this instance.

Senator Landy referred to the CEDRA report. As he correctly pointed out, an expert advisory group has been formed to deal with the implementation of the 34 recommendations contained in that report. As the Senator stated, the relevant Minister of State, Deputy Ann Phelan, was in the House a number of weeks ago to discuss that very matter. I am sure she would be willing to return in order that we might have a further input into the process.

Senator Quinn referred to discussing relevant issues prior to the introduction of the budget. We did not discuss such issues last year but we did so the previous year. We will certainly try to ensure that the House will engage in pre-budget debates this year. All NGOs and interested organisations make submissions prior to the budget and the Minister is presented with all of the relevant information relating to these. I agree, however, that the House should probably have a further input into the process.

I note Senator Quinn's other point with regard to allergies that are life threatening. The Senator requested a debate with the relevant Minister on the matter in order that we might ascertain what proposals he has in respect of it. Senators Mullins, Brennan and Ó Clochartaigh made reference to Government policy on the diaspora. I have organised a debate on the matter with the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Deenihan, which is scheduled for next Tuesday.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh also raised the issue of staff of these Houses. We dealt with the Workplace Relations Bill in the House last week and it is a pity that it will not be before us this week. However, we have dealt with that matter. I can assure Senator Ó Clochartaigh that I have no problem whatsoever in condemning the attack on Mr. Francis McCabe. Indeed, I have no problem in condemning any violent attack on any individual in this State or across the Border and condemn it I will, on every occasion. The word "condemn" was not in the Sinn Féin vocabulary for a long number of years but I am glad that party members are coming around to using that word now. It is necessary for Sinn Féin to condemn all attacks. However, as has been pointed out by Senator Bradford, when another McCabe was murdered, Sinn Féin representatives were waiting for his killer when he was released from prison. They refused to condemn that murder for many years. I am glad that "condemn" is coming back into the vocabulary of Sinn Féin members. They will certainly have support from this side-----