Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the issue of the MS drug Fampyra, which costs no more than €270 per month. I will certainly ask the Minister for Health about the current situation. There is no doubt that the benefits of this drug are clearly evident from many people who receive it so I will try to get an update from the Minister.As the Senator will be aware, the company provided this drug free of charge initially, but it now costs up to €270 a month. I will try to get an update from the Minister on that matter.

The Senator also called for a debate on the under-resourcing of the Garda. The Minister for Justice and Equality has given a commitment to come to the House as soon as her diary permits following the passage of a number of Bills, some of which will go through the House later this week and next week. The Garda network had been unchanged since 1922 before the closure of some Garda stations but we still have 564 stations, which is significantly more than in comparable jurisdictions such as Scotland and Northern Ireland, and there will be no further closures. A total of 94% of the stations that were closed were open for only three hours or less a day. Closures did not result in a reduction in Garda numbers but they facilitated 61,000 additional man hours for front-line services. The force was given capital allocation of €42 million and €27.5 million will be invested in the Garda fleet between 2012 and 2015, including €10 million for 370 new vehicles this year. The Government has provided the force with at least €414 million more than Fianna Fáil proposed for the same period. Templemore training college has reopened with 300 new recruits entering. They are the first since Fianna Fáil stopped recruitment in 2009.

Tackling crime and burglaries is a top priority of Government and the Garda will shortly publish an anti-crime strategy. The civilianisation of many functions has begun, ensuring more gardaí are on the beat. The Government is also examining a law to deal with repeat offenders, including repeat burglars. It is unfair to suggest the force is under-resourced because the data indicate that this is far from the case.

Senator Bacik referred to the horrific plane crash in the French Alps, which we only learned of in recent hours. Our hearts go out to all the families affected by the crash. She also called for debates on undocumented migrants in Ireland and on child care. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has agreed to come to the House for a debate on child care and I hope to have a date for that soon.

Senator van Turnhout and many others raised the issue of Diageo and the Stop Out of Control Drinking campaign. Some Members urged people to step down from the campaign committee or called for the committee's abolition while others, such as Senator Mullen, suggested different ways to deal with this issue. It will be addressed by the Oireachtas joint committee dealing with alcohol abuse and I am sure there will be many more comments on this.

Many Members, including Senator van Turnhout again, complimented our sporting heroes on the Irish rugby teams. I am glad a Waterford lady, Niamh Briggs, captained the Irish women's team. I am also glad our national broadcaster covered their game on Sunday. These players are an example to all and I take on board Senator Eamonn Coghlan's comments on the work of the Irish Sports Council regarding the funding of women in sport, which is bearing fruit.

Senator Quinn mentioned the death of the founder of the state of Singapore and he highlighted his meetings with him.Senator Quinn also raised the brighter evenings campaign, as he has done on many occasions. As he said, if it is to happen, it must happen in conjunction with our counterparts in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. I know there have been ongoing negotiations in that regard. I think Deputy David Stanton and the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality have been favourably disposed towards this move to join central European time.

Senator Mullins complimented the St Patrick's Day committees and the great voluntary and community effort by all involved. I think we would all agree with that. Senator Mullins also called for a further debate on the revitalisation of rural Ireland.

Senator O'Donovan spoke about medical cards, the anomalies in the system and the need for more joined-up thinking between State agencies, in particular the Revenue Commissioners and the HSE. I know the case in question is totally unacceptable. Obviously, the solution to it will be giving medical cards to everybody over 70 but that does not solve the problem. If we get the details from Senator O'Donovan, I will take it up with the Minister for Health today. If we do not get a satisfactory answer, the Senator might proceed in respect of an amendment to the Order of Business but I will take up this particular case. It seems ludicrous that the HSE does not look at a person's date of birth when it is looking for this type of information. The person is 93. Common sense obviously does not come into it when one hears of cases like that.

Senator Kelly called for a debate on the future of psychiatric services. I will try to arrange that with the Minister.

I note Senator Barrett's points relating to the strategy for science. He congratulated poet Michael Longley on receiving the freedom of Belfast city. I know the issue of Aer Lingus has been debated at length in the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications and I am sure it will continue to be debated in that forum.

Senator Colm Burke spoke about organ donor week and the need to focus on the recruitment of consultants in that area to bring the complement from four to eight. There is obviously a need to focus on the recruitment of consultants in many disciplines because we are so short of consultants.

Senator Cullinane referred to the Right2Water campaign and said that it was good that so many people took part and that it was a peaceful protest. I think everybody agrees with peaceful protest. Certainly, we will have another Bill relating to Irish Water and penalties and I am sure we will have ample time to debate that when the Bill comes before the House. Over 1.3 million people - over two thirds of the population - have registered with Irish Water. I am sure many others will register in the future.

Senator Whelan spoke about Portlaoise General Hospital and outlined the differences between HIQA and the HSE and the need for the Minister to intervene to ensure the publication of this report. Senator Whelan also outlined the significant increase in investment in the hospital in recent times. The Minister has outlined his disquiet at two State agencies threatening to take legal action against each other, which is not acceptable. I am sure the Minister has his finger on the pulse in this regard. When the report is published, we may be in a position to debate it in this House.

Senator O'Sullivan outlined the difficulties and anomalies relating to whole-of-life assurance policies. If he puts this topic down as a Commencement debate topic, he might get a clear message from the Department of Finance about those policies.

Senator Eamonn Coghlan spoke about the Irish rugby teams and complimented the Irish Sports Council on its work. Senator Norris spoke about Fitzgibbon Street Garda station. Perhaps the Senator might table this for a Commencement Debate in order to get the full details of what is going on. I do not think we should have secrecy relating to this station or any place where hostels are located. The public should be consulted in areas where such developments are taking place. I suggest that a Commencement debate on that matter might give the Senator more answers than I can give.