Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I note Senator MacSharry's points on the comments of the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar. I understand the Minister is in Belfast today so I cannot accede to his request for an amendment to the Order of Business in this regard. We have seen many advances in our health services but there are many problems as well. We need to put the building blocks in place. The timeframe will certainly change due to variable factors. Free GP care has already been introduced and begun, and it will continue. There is a need for more GPs, with 500 new GPs to be put in place. It is possible to have many more specialists and consultants; we will hire over 100 new consultants this year and we hope to ramp up the number to 150 by the end of the year, with more to come in future. Many reforms have taken place and more needs to be done. I am sure the Minister will come in at a later date to explain his policy on universal health insurance but it will not be today because, as I noted, he is in Belfast.

I note Senator Bacik's comments welcoming the commencement of gay marriage in the country yesterday. I inform the Senator that Report Stage of the residential tenancies Bill will take place next Tuesday. Senator Bacik and several others welcomed the schools building project that will transform educational facilities throughout the length and breadth of the country, and I am sure that will be well received by all. I also welcome the agreement in Northern Ireland, to which Senator Barrett and many others referred. Such an agreement is most welcome. As Senator Mooney mentioned, I attended the meeting of the British-Irish Parliamentary Association over the weekend and the Scottish, Welsh and English members were worried that Northern Ireland was getting 23% more funding than their areas. I am glad agreement has been reached and I hope we will see a normalisation of politics there in the coming years. That was referred to by many Senators on the Order of Business.

Senators O'Sullivan and White spoke about the dreadful terrorist attacks in Paris, where so many people were murdered. Senator O'Sullivan also spoke about the proposed manifesto and particularly the indication that town councils will be restored. I am sure we will all examine the manifesto when it is published as it will be up for public scrutiny. Senator Hayden welcomed the passage of the residential tenancies Bill through Committee Stage. As I mentioned, we will have Report Stage next Tuesday. She also called for a debate on youth policy and especially access to benefits for youths. I will certainly try to arrange that.

Senator Barrett asked about the Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011, to be taken tomorrow, and I agree that the comments of the troika and the National Competitiveness Council should be examined thoroughly. I understand the Minister is available for briefings to any Member on proposed changes. I assure the Senator that we will not rush through this Bill and we hope to have a very comprehensive debate on it tomorrow.We will see how far we can get on it.