Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose that we amend the Order of Business to take Committee Stage of the Finance Bill at 12.45 p.m. to adjourn no later than 2.45 p.m if not previously concluded and for the Minister of State to make a statement on flooding at 2.45 p.m. or immediately after Committee Stage has concluded. I am doing my best to facilitate the House. I do not propose to address the question of flooding, which so many Members have raised. We will leave it for the Minister of State.

Senators Ivana Bacik, Darragh O'Brien, Cáit Keane, Eamonn Coghlan and Máiría Cahill spoke about Rule 68. I hope we would have a debate on that matter early in the new year. Certainly, respect must at all times be given to people's religious beliefs. Everybody would go along with that. The ability of people to have a religious belief and send their children to the schools they wish to send them to is sacrosanct. In respect of repealing Rule 68 and all the other matters, the Minister for Education and Skills stated last night that she intends to do it some time in January so we might have an opportunity to discuss that matter and other educational matters in January when we come back.

Senators Darragh O'Brien, Fidelma Healy Eames and Colm Burke spoke about the new drug for cystic fibrosis sufferers. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Health. I do not know whether the Senator raised the issue as a Commencement Matter. If he did not do so, I suggest that he raises it as a Commencement Matter and gets a full reply on the matter from the Minister. One of the good things about this House is that we can call in a Minister to deal with a Commencement Matter, so if a Senator is not getting a reply from the Minister, I suggest he raises it as a Commencement Matter.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh spoke about staffing in local authorities to deal with the HAP scheme, housing and Traveller accommodation. I agree with him that if Galway County Council said it applied for funding for Traveller accommodation and could not get it, it should be investigated as a matter of urgency because we have been told that money is available for Traveller accommodation. There is no question that there is more than sufficient money available for local authorities who wish to draw down funding for housing.

Senator Kelly spoke about companies dealing with flood relief in his constituency. Again, this may be a matter for the Minister of State to deal with. Senator Colm Burke spoke about accommodation for homeless people in Cork city and county and asked that some properties that are not in State ownership be funded.It is a matter for the local authorities and the agency which owns these properties but I am sure that if they applied to Government for funding, it would be seriously considered by Government.

Senator Quinn called for a debate on a report compiled by the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, entitled Low Pay, Decent Work and a Living Wage. I agree with him that we should debate the document in this House. The Minister is due come to the House when we resume in the new year to discuss innovation and research, another area on which we had statements recently, and Government policy. I hope he will discuss both issues. Senator Keane called for a debate on the Growing Up in Ireland survey. We will try to facilitate her request but it will not be before the end of next week.

Senators Craughwell, Mullen and Wilson mentioned the appalling way private investigation companies treat people. The Minister for Justice and Equality was here practically all of last week and she will be here this week and next week. If Senators want her to come to the House to debate private investigation companies, I suggest a Commencement Matter would enable them to get answers from the Minister.