Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

With regard to Beaumont Hospital, I understand there is a particular issue with regard to the closure of a ward for refurbishment, which may have a bearing on the situation.

The Senator also proposed an amendment to the Order of Business to the effect that we ask the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, to come to the House. As the Senator will be aware, yesterday, the Leader, on foot of a request from quite a number of us, asked the Minister for Health to come to the House to discuss nursing services, including maternity services, the HSE and the health service generally. That request has already been made. I asked again for the Minister to come in today. As other colleagues have stated, the Minister is at the Joint Committee on Health and Children today, but I hope we will have a date for him to come to the House to hear the broad-ranging debate that a number of us have sought and that Senator Darragh O'Brien also seeks. I cannot accede to the amendment today.

Senator Michael Mullins referred to the major challenges the Government has faced in the health service and expressed sympathy with the family of the late Derek Davis. I think all of us would wish to join in expressing sympathy with the family of the late Mr. Davis. Indeed, there were many moving tributes, particularly by Senator Mooney, as a former colleague of the late Mr. Davis. I would like to be associated with those tributes too.

Senator Michael Mullins also congratulated the IRFU on bringing the women's Rugby World Cup to Ireland, to Dublin and Belfast, in 2017. It is a hugely positive development, an opportunity to promote women in sport and to promote sport in Ireland generally. I think we would all join with Senator Michael Mullins in wishing the IRFU success in the preparation for that event.

Senator Mullins also welcomed the mortgage arrears package that is being developed, about which the Government met yesterday, which will have a number of different aspects. The courts, in particular, will be given the power to approve, where appropriate, insolvency deals rejected by banks, and I understand the necessary legislation will be in place before the summer recess. Colleagues looked for a debate on that. We will have a debate when the legislation comes to us. The mortgage-to-rent scheme is also being expanded and the numbers of properties qualifying will be increased, and, indeed, the valuation level is to be increased. I would share with Senator Hayden the view that we should look at the valuation level, particularly in Dublin. Certainly, I welcome the extension of that package. Finally, it will strengthen the role of the Money Advice & Budgeting Service, MABS. All of us would wish to acknowledge the hugely supportive role MABS has been playing with borrowers in arrears, but I welcome the news that it will be strengthened in providing that support.

Senator Quinn raised the concept of mandatory pay-by-weight for bins. I will certainly make inquiries about that. Senator Quinn also raised safety kits in cars. I am grateful to the Senator for raising this, because I was not aware that the Road Safety Authority, RSA, was looking for suggestions on what should be included in road safety kits in cars. It would be good if we could develop that further and bring suggestions to the RSA in that regard. It is a practical and positive move.

Senator Kelly sought a debate with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on wind energy and meeting the 2020 renewable targets, and I am happy to seek such a debate.

Senator O'Donovan seconded the amendment proposed by Senator Darragh O'Brien, and I have already dealt with that. He also raised an issue concerning a steering group at the Rotunda Hospital and the lack of midwife representation. I am certainly happy, if the Senator supplies me with more information, to write to the Minister on that. I spoke at the annual midwifery conference for the North and South of Ireland for the INMO as an invited speaker. I am very happy to work to ensure midwives are adequately represented at all relevant committees.

Senator Keane expressed condolences on the death of Derek Davis. She also raised the issue of SURE, the start-up refunds for entrepreneurs scheme. Like her, I would like to welcome the new scheme announced today by the Ministers, Deputies Bruton and Noonan. The scheme allows entrepreneurs to claim back from the Government up to 41% of their investment in new start-ups. It is a positive scheme and we all hope it is very successful. A new website, www.sure.gov.ie, has been set up and a marketing campaign, aimed at increasing awareness of the scheme among people who are considering starting their own businesses, was launched today. It is a positive move to encourage start-ups and entrepreneurship.

Senator van Turnhout raised the issue of cuts in funding for small community groups. We are all aware that the Minister, Deputy Kelly, moved on this last year. The Senator is working on the issue with Senator Moloney. I recently spoke to the Minister about it and I understand he is working to progress it. I share the Senator's concern that time is running out and I am happy to ask the Minister to come before the House. It might also be worth tabling a Commencement matter on it to try to keep the pressure on.

The Senator also raised the issue of child sex abuse material online and asked about the timing of the sex offences Bill. I asked the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, about this. I agree with the Senator. I would love to see it start in the Seanad and it would be appropriate. I agree with her about the terminology and changing the use of the term "child pornography" to "child sex abuse material". I will try to find out when the Bill will be published. It is envisaged that it would become law before the end of this year but I do not know when it is proposed to bring it to the Houses. The Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality had a review of it at the pre-legislative stage.

Senator Hayden raised the harrowing accounts given by parents of the tragic deaths of their babies in the midlands hospital and noted that the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, spent hours listening to them. We all welcome the time and attention he is giving to this matter. She also referred to the legacy of the mishandling of maternity cases and the need for a new national maternity strategy, as well as protection for whistleblowers. We are all aware of the Protected Disclosures Act produced by the Minister, Deputy Howlin, which will at last supply the necessary protection to whistleblowers whose work has been so important in exposing malpractice in a wide range of areas. The Senator also referred to the mortgage arrears package, which we will debate once the Bill comes before the House in short course.

Senator Mooney referred to the sad loss of Derek Davis. As I have said, I listened with great pleasure to the Senator's lovely anecdotes and memories of working with him and with Bill O'Donovan, the RTE producer who sadly also died. I share the sending of condolences to their families. On a happier note, I wish Donncha Ó Dúlaing a happy retirement. He has left a rich legacy of broadcasting and I am a fan of his.

Senator Brennan referred to the IRFU hosting the women's Rugby World Cup, an announcement we all welcome.

Senator Mary Ann O'Brien referred to the appalling murders in Sligo of Lord Mountbatten, his grandson and two others.