Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand that the working group will produce a draft Bill, possibly to coincide with our debate on the matter. It may be as soon as that. Certainly, we will be arranging the debate and I hope to have it, possibly, on 5 May. I have not arranged it yet but perhaps the debate can take place before then. Anyway, we will have the debate and I urge people to examine the proposals. These are comprehensive proposals, mainly to do with the election of Seanad Éireann rather than what goes on in the House, although there are some references to that as well. Dr. Manning and other members of the group will be quite willing to come to the House. I imagine we will welcome him to the House and that we will hold a comprehensive debate on the proposals in early course.

Senator Quinn also raised the question of Age Action Ireland concerns about nursing homes changes. My information is that currently there are no plans before the Government on this issue. The question of the fair deal scheme has been raised by Senator Cullinane and Senator Burke. I do not know where Senator Cullinane got his figures - he referred to 7,850 people. As Senator Burke mentioned, a total of 22,000 people are in under the fair deal scheme currently, costing €970 million. Senator Burke made a good point on the assets that have been recovered to date since 2009, amounting to only €7.5 million. Certainly, that will have to be looked at in the context of funding. I imagine this is something we can debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, and I am sure she would be willing to come to the House.

Senator Paul Coghlan spoke on the major fire in Killarney National Park. He complimented the fire services, Air Corps and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. He emphasised the need to be vigilant at all times in respect of fire.

Senator Byrne commented on the Ireland's ancient east proposal announced by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Donohoe. This is an exciting project similar to the Wild Atlantic Way. I am informed that Fáilte Ireland has spent the past year, in consultation with the key stakeholders, working to develop the initiative, which is to include tourism attractions and businesses throughout the region. Following much consultation and deliberation Ireland's ancient east will be crafted along four distinct thematic pillars: ancient Ireland; early Christian Ireland; medieval Ireland; and Anglo Ireland, including Ireland's great houses and gardens.

All the area in the east and down in the south east will be covered under this initiative. Fáilte Ireland's research suggests that an initiative along these thematic lines has the potential to deliver an extra 600,000 overseas visitors, tourism growth of over 20% in the region and an increase in visitor revenue of almost 25%, or €950 million, in total by 2020. It is an exciting project and I imagine it will have the same success that we witnessed with the Wild Atlantic Way. I compliment everyone involved in launching this project. Senator Kelly called for further debate and an update from the Minister for Finance on mortgage interest rates. He also called for a debate with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on young old farmers and digital mapping. I am sure the Minister will be quite willing to come to the House to discuss these issues. He has dealt with old young farmers, as they are called, in the budget and Finance Act.

I have dealt with the matters raised by Senators Cullinane and Burke. Senator Burke welcomed the IMO agreement with the Department for GP treatment for children aged under six years. This will be of great benefit to many hard-pressed families and has been welcomed by the vast majority of GPs.

Senators Leyden and Mullins referred to the Ibrahim Halawa case. I gave a very comprehensive reply on the matter before the break. The Irish ambassador in Cairo is monitoring the situation closely and representations have been made to the Egyptian ambassador and authorities on this case. I can assure the Senators that the Government is doing everything possible to secure the release of the Irish citizen concerned.

Senator Jim D'Arcy referred to the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill. He welcomed many of its proposals while disagreeing with others. He called on the Minister for Education and Skills to come to the House. I can inform him that the Minister will come before the House next Wednesday to discuss the NCSE inclusion support services. There will be an opportunity at that time and later to discuss matters with her.

It is obvious that Senator Crown enjoyed the break because he has raised five or six matters. There was disagreement on psychiatric services between the gentleman in question and the HSE. He was suspended, but has been reinstated. I understand the dispute concerned staffing in a brand new state-of-the-art facility in Cork. I am glad he has been reinstated and I hope any differences will be ironed out as a matter of urgency.

Senator Crown also referred to burglaries, which I addressed, and asked for them to be classified as crimes against a person rather than property. They are matters we can discuss with the Minister if she comes before the House to deal with the draft Bill.

On international tobacco companies taking the Government to court regarding the laws we passed on tobacco, the Senator has novel ideas on proscribing such companies. I am sure all avenues will be addressed and examined by the State in order to defend against such companies.

Senator Sheahan referred to EU moneys and single farm payments that are paid to men and women with herd numbers. Their names and addresses are being published and he feels it is a dangerous precedent. I see his point, especially as we have discussed burglaries in many parts of the country. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and see whether anything can be done.

Senator Mullen referred to problems in the rental sector and the availability of suitable housing. That is the reason the Government is putting €1.5 billion into social housing over the next couple of years. Major progress has been made on unfinished estates throughout the country.There will be an opportunity for local authorities under the new scheme that is in place to purchase and maybe complete these unfinished estates and use them for social housing. A myriad of areas that were not available previously are now open to local authorities as they try to tackle the housing problems that exist in some parts of the country. Unfortunately, we have an over-supply of houses in some other parts of the country. I suppose it is contradictory to have major problems in major cities like Galway, Cork and Dublin at a time when there is an over-supply in many rural areas. Unfortunately, during the boom houses were built in areas where nobody would go and live.

Senator Naughton spoke about the High Court backlog in Galway, especially in relation to personal injuries cases. She called for more efficient management of these services. While that is a matter for the Courts Service, I will certainly bring it to the attention of the Minister for Justice and Equality.

Senator Eamonn Coghlan mentioned two sportsmen who passed away recently. Ray Treacy was a great international footballer. I had the pleasure of seeing him score many goals for Ireland. Dave Billings was a Dublin all-Ireland footballer.

Senator Coghlan also made a point about the danger that drones may cause for air traffic. He called for more regulation in that regard. I suggest that if he raises this matter during a Commencement Debate, he might get a comprehensive reply from the Minister.

The final two speakers, Senators Mullins and Noone, spoke about criminal justice matters. Senator Noone also spoke about the online abuse of female politicians. I do not think it is confined to female politicians. I think it happens to all politicians.