Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes. Will those who own businesses want to keep them open while selling the odd drink? It is a difficult one to get a balance on. I hear where the Senator is coming from. We could have a very interesting debate on licensing in this House.

Senator Grace O'Sullivan raised the issue of trainee pharmacists. It would be a good subject for a Commencement debate. That would allow the Senator to get a full answer from the Minister. Nobody would want trainee pharmacists to be in any way impoverished or to have difficulty in this area. Clearly, this issue needs to be addressed.

Senator Lombard spoke about farming. It would be a good idea to have a debate with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, particularly in the context of Brexit. He is a regular visitor to this House. I do not think we can discuss enough the fears that exist because of the ongoing issue of Brexit.

I can accept Senator Mark Daly's amendment to the Order of Business. Senator Feighan mentioned Uber in the context of rural transport. Uber exists in this country, but the charges are not as cheap as in other countries because our taxis are regulated. If one gets a taxi on Uber, it costs the same as it would cost to get a taxi any other way. It certainly offers a potential solution. The area of hackney and taxi licences is a complex one. I would see certain red lights flashing when it comes to the reaction of taxi drivers in this city. It would certainly be a good idea in rural areas.

Senator Davitt made the constructive suggestion that the Minister for Health should give us an idea of the projects that may be affected by the cost of the national children's hospital, which is obviously the biggest concern in any conversation about the hospital. The Minister might not want to go into detail on the matter.

Senator Byrne raised the issue of CervicalCheck. The irony that this is an awareness week for cervical cancer is not lost on any of us. As women, we are very keen for this matter to be resolved in the near future to the satisfaction of the women of Ireland.

Senator Ó Donnghaile told us that the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality heard from individuals from the North yesterday. It was a very constructive thing to happen, especially in the context of Brexit. The comments on the matter made by my colleague, Senator Colm Burke, were well made.

Senator Colm Burke's suggestion that information needs to be made available to those who will be affected by the boundary extension is a constructive one. It is something that should happen. A Commencement debate may be required to draw the Minister's attention fully to the suggestion. I can raise it with him too.

Senator Norris spoke about climate change in the context of the Davos meeting. I know that in his comments in Davos today, the Taoiseach specifically highlighted the importance of Europe having a united front on climate change.

Senator Paddy Burke is dead right when he says that regulation is needed with regard to drones. It is beyond unsatisfactory that issues of concern have arisen in this country and at a major airport in a neighbouring country. We definitely need to think about legislating in this area, which should be brought to the attention of the Minister.