Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have received notice from Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:

The need for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to confirm if, following the RTÉ "Prime Time" report on the muscovite mica defective block crisis in Donegal, he will meet with a cross-party delegation from Donegal County Council, as it has requested, and amend the terms of reference of the expert panel currently investigating this matter and clarify that this panel can recommend a mica redress scheme that can support the affected families to rebuild their homes and make them safe for their families.

I have also received notice from Senator Paddy Burke of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Social Protection to outline the plans, if any, he has to amend the PRSI class K contribution in the next Social Welfare Bill vis-à-visthe wide range of groups who contribute with no benefits, including local authority members.

I have also received notice from Senator Kevin Humphreys of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Health to outline the position regarding the current situation relating to the co-location of the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, with St. Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park.

I have also received notice from Senator Lynn Ruane of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Health to outline the reasoning behind the proposed amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Acts and the focus of those amendments on the further criminalisation of drug use and possession.

I have also received notice from Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh of the following matter:

An gá atá leis an Aire Sláinte do thabhairt léargas ar cén straitéis atá á cur ar bun ag an Rialtas chun dul i ngleic leis na liostaí feithimh in Ospidéal na hOllscoile, Gaillimh.

I have also received notice from Senator Máire Devine of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Health to outline how his Department intends to deal with the serious concerns being raised by the Psychiatric Nurses Association which have led to planned industrial action.

I have also received notice from Senator Kieran O'Donnell of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the current plans for the funding and construction of the M20 Cork to Limerick motorway.

I have also received notice from Senator Jerry Buttimer of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to make a statement regarding the ongoing talks between Norwegian Airlines and the US Department of Transportation.

I have also received notice from Senator Martin Conway of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to urgently review the guidelines in place for valuing cattle that have been deemed to be reactors following TB testing, as they are clearly inadequate and proving to be a financial burden on farm families.

I have also received notice from Senator Michelle Mulherin of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to ensure that the terms of reference for the new tender process for the issuing of driving licences require that all post offices act as agents enabling the public to obtain driving licences through their local post office.

I regard the matters raised by Senators Mac Lochlainn, Paddy Burke, Humphreys, Ruane, Ó Clochartaigh, Devine, O’Donnell, Buttimer and Conway as suitable for discussion. I have selected the matters raised by Senators Mac Lochlainn, Paddy Burke, Humphreys and Ruane and they will be taken now. Senators Ó Clochartaigh, Devine, O’Donnell, Buttimer and Conway may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise.

I regret I have had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator Mulherin on the ground that the Minister has no official responsibility in the matter.