Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

These leaks, which are now being fixed and rectified, would not have been discovered if these meters had not been put in place.

Senator Daly spoke about the issues of Ballymurphy and Beaumont Hospital. I have addressed those matters.

Senator Crown called for updates on the transplant service and on vaccination rates. He mentioned a number of other health issues, including waiting lists. As I have said, we will try to get the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, to come to the House before the close of the session next week. He is not available to come to the House this week.

Senator Heffernan rightly pointed out that a lack of sensitivity has been shown to the victims of institutional abuse in relation to medical cards. The people in question were certainly glad to get the medical cards that have been provided by the Government after a long fight. I agree that rather than publishing the details mentioned by the Senator on the medical cards, more sensitivity needs to be shown. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister and the HSE.

Senator Walsh called for a pre-budget debate. Senator Bradford made a similar request last week. They are especially interested in discussing inheritance tax and capital gains tax. We will try to have such a debate.

Senator Mullen suggested that the tourism industry and the Restaurant Association of Ireland are not represented at the National Economic Dialogue, which is a pre-budget forum. I am not aware of who was invited to the National Economic Dialogue. The Government has certainly done wonders for the tourism industry by reducing the VAT rate to 9% and getting rid of the travel tax. People in the tourism industry can rest assured that the Government will look after their interests, just as they have done in the past. I agree that if people in the tourism industry were not invited to the dialogue, it was remiss of those who failed to invite them.

Senator Bradford said that every atrocity on this island needs to be investigated. I agree with him. The Senator recalled the brutal killing by the IRA of Garda Sergeant Jerry McCabe. It is hard to think that over 20 years have elapsed since the brutal murder of a man who was going about his business of protecting the citizens of this State. We should all recall the work that is done by the Garda and the Defence Forces. It should never be forgotten that the brutality of the attacks on democracy they have come up against has been the case and continues to be the case with some of these some subversives.

Senator Ó Domhnaill spoke about the plight of 13 schools on offshore islands, including some one-teacher schools. I suggest he might table this specific item to be debated during Commencement Matters so he can get a reply from the Minister for Education and Skills.