Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Cathaoirleach mentioned, the copyright Bill has not been printed, but the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, in an answer given a number of years ago in the other House, confirmed that copyright protection regarding the national anthem ran out in December 2012. The main purpose of ownership by the State of the copyright to the original version of the national anthem was to ensure that it was freely available for general use. The situation in this regard has not changed with the expiry of copyright. Regarding the protection of the integrity of the national anthem, the Minister's Department will look at the possibility of introducing legislation, should it be required, to ensure that the anthem is not being used in an inappropriate context or without due deference such as to render it an object of scorn or derision. I know Senator Daly is interested in that and I am sure that he is anxious that the Bill come before the House. I will put him in contact with the relevant officials in the Department and perhaps they can work together on having this matter rectified in early course.

Regarding No. 79, motion 15, concerning cystic fibrosis, I am surprised that two or three people have raised this matter. An all-party motion on this, signed by practically everyone in the House, was passed last week, so that motion should be removed from the Order Paper.

I wish to inform Senator Bacik that the debate on the banking inquiry is tabled for next Tuesday. This was to give people ample opportunity to read the report as there is a lot of heavy reading in it. The Senator also welcomed the publication of the national maternity strategy and national skills strategy, which were announced yesterday. She and Senator Mullins wished the peace talks in Syria well and hope that they can reach a settlement in that war-torn area.

Senator Quinn asked that No. 14, Registration of Drones Bill 2106, be taken before No. 1. This was also commented on by Senator Norris. I have no problem with that and will accept No. 14 being taken before No. 1, the purpose of which is to publish the Bill.

Even though we will have the banking inquiry debate next week, Senator Hayden is calling for a debate on the banking sector and outlined a number of areas which we should discuss. I do not believe we will have the opportunity to do so in this session but I am sure it will be something that the next Seanad will debate. We may get the opportunity, one never knows.

Senator Mooney welcomed the increased number of IDA visits to counties Leitrim and Sligo and hopes that there will be success as a result of those visits in the provision of jobs in those two counties. The regional jobs action plans have been working quite well and we have seen the benefit of them in more jobs going into the regions. I am sure that all Members of the House will welcome the progress that has been made on those action plans.

Senator Mullins welcomed the provision of an additional €106 million in funding for roads given to local authorities which were particularly hit by the recent flooding, and the provision of emergency assistance to farmers, also as a result of the flooding.

I note Senator Barrett's comments regarding the banking inquiry and the need for scrutiny of public spending at all times, which Senator Walsh raised as well when he spoke of wasteful public expenditure. To respond to Senator Walsh, considerable progress has been made on public service reform if one considers the Haddington Road and Lansdowne Road agreements. To suggest that little or nothing has been done regarding public service reform is not fair. Of course, more can be done in the future, but if the Senator tells anybody working in the public service that there has been little or no reform, he will get his answer to that from every one of them.