Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Terry Leyden asked about No. 1 on the Order Paper. I am sure the Labour Party will select a well qualified nominee to fill the position vacated by our friend and former colleague Jimmy Harte. I acknowledge that quite a number of Members did not have an opportunity yesterday to pay tribute to him for his work in the Seanad and to wish him well.

Senator Terry Leyden also mentioned the Web Summit. He was critical of Mr. Paddy Cosgrave yesterday because of the relocation of the summit to Portugal. We should praise Mr. Cosgrave for the work he has done in the past few years in holding the summit here and the jobs created as a result. It may be held here again at a later stage.

Senator Ivana Bacik complimented Senator Aideen Hayden on the Threshold report and called for a debate on the matter. She also called for a debate on the report on the rehabilitation of prisoners and crime prevention measures. We have a large legislative programme for the coming months and I am sure these issues, as well as the issue of rural crime, among others, can be accommodated in a number of debates on justice issues and legislation.

Senator Sean D. Barrett expressed concern about the closure of the School of Modern Languages in the University of Ulster, Coleraine. The closure is regrettable as it is important to promote the teaching of modern languages. More people with languages are required as there is a lack of suitably qualified individuals. It is important, therefore, that such schools remain open. I am sure this issue will be raised at the North-South Ministerial Council and in other fora.

Senator Martin Conway raised an issue related to the National Transport Authority. Perhaps he might raise it as a Commencement matter.

Senator James Heffernan spoke about the allocation of €30 million for rural development. This sum is in addition to the hundreds of millions that will be pumped into rural Ireland by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and many other Departments and local enterprise organisations. The Senator also called for a debate on wind energy projects. We will try to facilitate such a debate, although we have already had a number of debates on the matter.

Senator Terry Brennan indicated the growth in the numbers of overseas visitors. This point was also made by Senators Michael Mullins and Eamonn Coghlan. The growth in the figures is excellent and should be highlighted. The figures for this year are exceptional and long may it continue. The Government's policies, including the 9% VAT rate it decided to introduce a number of years ago, are bearing fruit in the creation of jobs and increasing tourist figures. Senator O'Sullivan welcomed the visit of Pope Francis to Cuba and the USA. I note his points in that regard and also in regard to additional funding for TG4.

Senators White and Mullins called for a debate on the joint Oireachtas report on female entrepreneurs and also asked that tax measures would be included in the budget for various areas. Senator Walsh raised this point previously in regard to pre-budget submissions. I am happy to inform the House that we will have a debate with the Minister, Deputy Howlin, and hopefully with the Minister, Deputy Noonan, next week on pre-budget submissions. I am glad we can facilitate that request, which is coming at the right time.

Senator Mary Ann O'Brien raised the issue of charity regulation, which she has highlighted previously. We will try to arrange a further debate on it. I note her point in regard to VAT on defibrillators, which she can certainly raise with both Ministers in the House next week.

Senator Reilly referred to the concerns at the amalgamation of various services in local authorities and its effect on communities. I note her points. We can have that debate when we are dealing with a further debate. We had the Minister of State, Deputy Ann Phelan, in the House previously and we will try to have her in the House again. However, as I said, we have over 30 pieces of legislation to come to the House in this term, so we will be fairly busy after next week in dealing with legislation. I had expressed the opinion that we should have more Bills published as Seanad Bills, whereby we could bring them into the House earlier, rather than having a situation where we are rushing Bills at the end of term, which has gone on since Adam was a boy. I would hope we can deal with that legislation properly and give it the time it deserves in the coming weeks and months.

Senator Gilroy spoke about the Web Summit and made the point that in 2013 we had a water shortage and the 30,000 attending the summit, as well as the rest of the population, had difficulty even having a shower as a result. This is something people tend to forget.

Senators Gilroy, Bradford and Walsh raised points on local government reform and various issues in local government, and they called for a debate. The two Cork Senators also mentioned the amalgamation of Cork city and county councils, and I am sure that debate will go on for quite some time. I will try to facilitate a debate with the Minister, Deputy Kelly.

Senator O'Donnell highlighted the fact we have an ageing population and the need to plan for the future. She is quite right. It is an issue facing the country and there is a need to plan for it. I will certainly ask the Minister for Health to come to the House for a debate on that very important issue.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh raised the matter of island services. Some 64% of total island funding goes to the Aran Islands, a figure of which the Senator is probably aware. I understand the subsidy to the air service has gone up from €800,000 to €1.5 million or €2 million. I can assure the Senator that the Minister of State with responsibility for the islands and the Gaeltacht is doing everything possible to fight his corner for more money and better services for the people of the islands, as his predecessor did also.

Senator Eamonn Coghlan also pointed out some facts in regard to the Web Summit and tourism figures. In addition to dealing with local government reform, Senator Bradford made points in regard to credit unions, which he will be able to raise with the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform next week.

Senator Jim D'Arcy highlighted the upcoming Famine commemoration and also the marketing of the potato and its importance in several areas around County Louth and Meath in particular. Of course, Senator Walsh pointed to the situation in Wexford also.

I think I have covered most of the items which Members have raised.