Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As he mentioned, the leaflet is totally against republican ideals.

Senator O'Donovan spoke about Irish nurses, who are front-line staff. I understand that recruitment of nurses has recommenced, particularly in specialised areas. We will try to bring the Minister to the House to debate the question of resources in the health services, particularly nurses, non-consultant hospital doctors and consultants. We are very short of them. Many posts have been advertised in recent months but they have not been filled.

Senator Whelan called for a debate on maternity services with particular reference to Portlaoise. I will try to organise this.

Senators Quinn, Craughwell, Mullins and Brennan spoke about sentencing policy and the reduction of charges from murder to manslaughter. Senator Craughwell also spoke about fines. I hope the Minister will address this as a matter of urgency, because people are laughing at the Garda. They are sentenced to a month or two, but they go to the prison and return the same day. In many cases they pass out the cars they went up in, which is an absolutely ludicrous situation. I have asked the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, to come to the House to speak on six or seven items. She will be here next week to speak about the Legal Services Regulation Bill. She has had a busy time with legislation and I am sure she will address the issues raised as soon as her diary permits. I will certainly keep the pressure on with regard to bringing her to the House to discuss these matters.

Senator Noone spoke about the NRA and recent comments on multipoint tolling. I agree with her it would be interesting to hear what the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, has to say, and I will certainly request a debate on the issue. Perhaps she could table a Commencement matter if she wants an earlier response.

Senator Mary Ann O'Brien spoke about the Beit collection, the proposed sale of paintings to restore Russborough House and the need for the Beit Foundation and the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to get together on this matter to try to retain these valuable paintings in Ireland. I will certainly bring the matter to the attention of the Minister.

Senator Kelly spoke about the decline of businesses in small towns. This matter was raised by Senator Ó Murchú regarding the regeneration of rural Ireland and creating partnerships between communities and the Government. The Minister of State, Deputy Phelan, came to the House not so long ago.We also had the Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, in to speak about the Action Plan for Jobs and the emphasis on regional job creation. Bringing people back home is part of that. However, I will try to ensure both the Minister and Minister of State come back to the House for further discussions. Notwithstanding that our engagements with the Minister took place quite recently, I agree there should be ongoing debate on these matters. Issues affecting rural areas and the future of small towns are of paramount importance to the communities affected and the country as a whole.

Senator Rónán Mullen raised a similar theme in referring to rural transport provision and reminding Bus Éireann of its public service obligation. The State gives more than €95 million in subsidies to the company. That issue could be included in the broader debate on issues affecting rural Ireland.

Senator Comiskey supported Senator Mooney's comments regarding cardiac services in Sligo.

Senator Cullinane welcomed the public service pay talks, as did Senator Craughwell. Senator Cullinane emphasised that it should be staff on low and middle incomes who benefit as a result of pay increases. For once I am in agreement with the Senator. It is the Government's intention that those people will be helped, in line with what was done in the last budget. I am somewhat surprised at the Senator's comments given that his party considers people earning more than €32,000 to be wealthy. Indeed, his colleagues voted against taking those people out of the 41% tax bracket in the last budget. People out there need to realise that Sinn Féin considers that workers on €32,000 are wealthy. That message should be made clear.

Senator Lorraine Higgins referred to the quality of work done by carers and called for a debate on the introduction of a graduated scale of payments for them. I will try to organise a debate on that issue with the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton.

I already dealt with Senator Ó Murchú's comments regarding rural areas. Senator Paul Coghlan indicated his support for efforts to regenerate Georgian Dublin, as also mentioned by Senator Norris.

Senator Mary Moran called for a further debate on residential services for people with disabilities. I am delighted to report that we will have statements on health services for persons with intellectual disabilities on 27 May, to be attended by the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch.