Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----in terms of the health budget and also the work consultants, doctors and nurses do in the health system.

I join Senator Maria Byrne in wishing Limerick well on going forward for the European City of Culture. I hope it will be successful. I will not get into the debate on the counties it is competing with but I welcome those here today.

Senator Conway-Walsh raised the issue of the ruling on the single farm payment. I will see if the Minister can come to the House to discuss that. The judge has given a ruling on it and it is one we should take note of because it has a profound impact on the agricultural community.

Senator Feighan has always beaten a drum for Roscommon hospital, and I congratulate the work he has done on that.

On the issue raised by Senator Ó Ríordáin, thankfully, the remit of the Leader of the Seanad does not extend to where we go as a Chamber. That is a matter for others. The Senator raised the issue of the arts and culture in particular, and I am willing to have the Minister come to the House to discuss the policy on arts and culture.

Last week, Senator Joe O'Reilly raised the issue of home helps and home care packages. As a consequence of the Senator and other Senators raising this important issue, the Minster for Social Protection will be in the House this evening to discuss it. Last week, Senator Kelleher and Senator O'Reilly spoke about the importance of home care packages and the work being done by home helps, family carers and carers in general. That is a debate we can have as part of the debate with the Minster present.

I am willing to accept Senator Warfield's amendment and the proposal from Senator Mac Lochlainn. I have dealt with the issue of the Cassells report.

To be parochial for a moment, Senator Lombard raised the important issue of infrastructure projects for Cork. It is important that Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, and the Minister, Deputy Ross, would address the issues because the projects Senator Lombard referred to are pivotal infrastructure projects which are about developing the region economically in terms of the N28, the Macroom bypass and the Dunkettle roundabout. If those projects were to be delayed or not gone ahead with, it would have a profound negative impact on the economic life of Cork, not to mention other areas.

Senator Mac Lochlainn raised the issue of motor insurance, which was addressed recently in the House. The Minister for Finance has set up a working group on the issue and he has committed to come to the House to discuss it. I hope we can have that debate.

Senator Norris referred to both the supervision of bonfires and the Cassells report. In terms of the Cassells report, it is important this House would play a role prior to the Committee on Education and Skills beginning its work on the report.

Senator Gallagher raised the important issue of lone parents. This will be part of the debate today when the Senator will have an opportunity to participate but if we cannot get to it then, I am sure the Minister will return to the House to debate it. As it will probably be the Minister's last time in the House before the summer recess and the legislation coming to the House, I felt it was important to have statements on social protection in order that Members can have an input into that debate.Senator Gavan raised the issue of Shannon and our policy with regard to our airports and military use. I would be happy to ask the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, to come to the House to speak on that matter.

I ask that Senator Daly withdraw the amendment regarding the report on trauma facilities. The Minister has not seen the report. I spoke to him this morning about it and I would be very happy to have a discussion on it when it can be put before the House. Rather than divide the House on a newspaper report containing hearsay, which would set a bad precedent, I give a commitment to having a debate when we come back after the report has been published.