Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----on where the Seanad will move to during that time, but I hope the work, when it does start, will be completed in the time allocated and that we will not have any overruns, as mentioned by the Senator in connection with other building projects.

Senator Landy welcomed the all-party motion that we intend to have on cystic fibrosis, and also called for funding for the Sean Healy Memorial Library in Carrick-on-Suir. That is something that the Senator could raise as a Commencement matter for the relevant Minister to discuss.

Senator Craughwell outlined the problems for residents of Millfield Manor and mentioned that the developer of that estate was operating again. It is a deplorable situation when developers who have built such houses can be involved in house-building again, and this should be addressed.

Senator Cáit Keane called, as other Members have, for a debate on housing and outlined the progress made by the Government in many areas. I addressed the issue with regard to telephone records which was raised by Senator Leyden. Senator Mary Moran welcomed the allocation of funding for Dundalk and also called for action on accessibility for people with disabilities, a subject she has raised on many occasions in the House.

I addressed the matter raised by Senator Cullinane about the need for investment in housing, and I outlined the investment that the Government is making and intends to make in housing, and social housing in particular, in the coming years. Senator Mullins mentioned the Caesar exhibition, a photographic exhibition highlighting the atrocities in Syria, and the need to highlight the humanitarian issues that we see so often on our television screens.

Senator Hayden spoke about housing supply and outlined the failure to implement Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which certainly contributed to the problems we have at present. She eloquently highlighted the progress made and the measures that the Government has introduced in recent times.

Senator Coghlan questioned the attitude of AIB in offering a higher interest rate on savings to German residents than to Irish residents, and called for a debate on banking. We will certainly try to arrange a debate but, as the time is ticking, I do not know whether we will have sufficient time to arrange all the debates that Members have requested. I doubt that we will.

Senator Máiría Cahill also mentioned homelessness, and she has raised this issue on a couple of previous occasions. She called for a debate, if we can fit one in, on housing.Senator Comiskey spoke of the additional funding of €2 million on a community centre in Sligo and on the improvement of the streetscape in the city, which I am sure will be welcomed by its residents.

Senator Kelly raised the question of the Boundary Commission last week. I will certainly ask the Minister to come to the House to debate the issue, but the review is ongoing and I doubt the Minister will come until the review is complete. Senator O'Donnell described streets such as O'Connell Street and Grafton Street as being, on occasion, "a threatening and filthy dump." She called for a metropolitan police force to be introduced and highlighted the greed which existed in the past and still exists where landlords are concerned. She spoke of the need to address greed, which was and is clearly evident.

Senator Mullen raised the subject of elderly and ill people. He said care had been withheld in the UK in the past and that we should refrain from any such practice. I can assure the Senator that the protection and care of the elderly is of paramount importance and they will be protected by this Government in every way possible. I assure him that the practices in the UK to which he referred will not form part of any Government policy or any hospital or humane policy in this country.

I apologise for having neglected to mention the speaking times for the debate on the Road Traffic Bill 2016. There will be eight minutes for spokespersons and five minutes for all other Senators.