Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I compliment Senators MacSharry, O'Keeffe, Barrett and D'Arcy on their Trojan work with the banking inquiry. They did the House proud and we look forward to the report. This House and the Lower House will today table simultaneous motions to allow publication of the report. I have heard the remarks made by Senators on the report. I cannot comment because the report has not yet been published. Senators will forgive me if I do not comment on the remarks they made on the report, particularly in view of the fact that it has not been published and the motions to publish it have not yet been passed by both Houses. I am endeavouring to arrange a debate on the banking inquiry tomorrow. I believe the Lower House will also be discussing it tomorrow and it is fitting that this House should debate the inquiry on the same day. I will revert to Members on the matter tomorrow.

Senator Bacik made reference to the Commencement debate by Senator Noone yesterday during which he called for new planning regulations relating to a no-fry zone around schools. She said she had received a number of representations from people on the matter of chip-shops' proximity to schools and so on. I am sure this is a matter that will be considered in the future in the context of any new planning regulations to be published.

Senator Barrett expressed his condolences to the family of the young man who died in Cork as a result of a drug overdose. The Senator suggested we may need further drug legislation to deal with this problem. It is dreadful. Young people who are going to college for the first time certainly have to be vigilant in terms of the company they keep and in taking any substance that might damage them. It is very regrettable that we have witnessed the death of a very young man in these circumstances.

Senator Mullins welcomed the investment of some €147 million in public nursing homes. It is welcome that 4,723 extra beds are to be brought up to HIQA standards. People will be able to go in to state-of-the-art facilities and acute hospital beds will be freed up. My own city of Waterford has been waiting for this for some time and I see there is a €20 million investment planned for St. Patrick's Hospital.

Senator Daly asked about proposing an amendment to the Order of Business in respect of the publication of a Bill relating to the copyright to the national anthem.I have no problem in accepting the amendment proposed to the Order of Business seeking publication of the Bill. I note that four or five amendments have been proposed to the Order of Business to have Bills taken, each of which I will deal with as I move through my response to Senators' contributions.

Senator Paul Coghlan welcomed the increase in funding for local and regional road infrastructure projects throughout the country, particularly the Dingle inner relief road which is long overdue. I understand the Minister will at a later date make an additional allocation to repair roads damaged by flooding.

Senator David Norris called for the appointment of a Minister with specific responsibility for home security. He highlighted a particular case in that regard. I am sure it is a matter the next Taoiseach will consider.

Senator Cáit Keane called for vigilance in treating bites by mosquitoes, which can cause birth defects in babies. This is an issue on which persons travelling abroad, in particular, should read up.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh spoke about problems posed by flooding that is clearly still evident in parts of the west. He also called for investment in the provision of flood defences. The Government has set aside a considerable amount of money for this purpose in coming years.

Senator Mary Ann O'Brien spoke about the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA. She is correct that a report due for publication by the EPA on 4 November last has still not been published. If she gives me the details, I will raise the matter with the Minister. If a report was to be published, I see no reason it should not have been published at this stage.

Senator Paschal Mooney supported Senator Mark Daly's amendment on the taking of the Bill dealing with copyright on the national anthem. The Senator also proposed an amendment to the Order of Business to have the Corporate Manslaughter Bill 2011 taken today. I do not propose to accept the amendment.

Senator John Kelly spoke about the continued difficulties in the Primary Care Reimbursement Service, PCRS, in dealing with medical card applications. I suggest to the Senator that if he has knowledge of a particular case, he should table it for discussion as a Commencement matter.

Senator John Crown also proposed an amendment to the Order of Business that No. 57, Harmful and Malicious Electronic Communications Bill, be debated. I understand the Bill was drafted by Senator Lorraine Higgins and, as such, it is up to her to indicate whether it it should be proceeded with. In her absence, I do not propose to accept Senator John Crown's amendment to the Order of Business.