Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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The Order of Business is No. 1, Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008 - Second Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 1.45 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed six minutes and the Minister to be called to reply to the debate not later than 1.35 p.m.; No. 2, Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken at 2 p.m. and adjourned at 4.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed 12 minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed eight minutes; No. 3, statements on school transport, to be taken at 4.30 p.m. and conclude not later than 6 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be called to reply not later than 5.50 p.m.; and No. 20, Private Members' business, motion No. 8 re life-limiting health conditions in children, to be taken at 6 p.m. and conclude at 8 p.m.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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To follow up on a couple of points from last week, has there been any progress in the issue of the vacancy in Temple Street Children's University Hospital? The paediatric physiotherapist post remains vacant and the hospital is awaiting sanction for the replacement of the post. I remind the House that approximately 94 children with cystic fibrosis are using those services in the hospital. Nobody would disagree that the delay in filling the vacancy is unacceptable and I will be raising the matter with the Minister for Health today. Has the Leader had an opportunity to raise the issue?

We urgently need a debate - next week, if possible - on the household charge and the effect it is having with cuts to local authority funding. In particular, there was a promise from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government that should a local authority attain 66% of collection, the third quarter cut imposed on local authorities would be refunded. I use the example of Clare County Council, which had ¤250,000 cut from its budget despite attaining 67% collection. As the council has been informed that the money will not be refunded, that is a broken promise.

I have heard Members of this House on the Government side going on local radio in Clare, giving out yards about how they are appalled at this and they will speak with the Minister. They said this was a promise and it was awful that it was being broken. I would like some clarification on the issue. The Minister made the promise and local authorities are doing their best to collect these funds. They were told there would be a rebate of the third quarter cut if a certain level of collections was attained but the Minister has rowed back by indicating this will not happen. Senator Conway was very exercised on Clare FM during the week about this. It might be an idea to bring the Minister into the Chamber to let Senator Conway and others ask the Minister specific questions as they may not have had a chance to meet him.

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that non-Government motion No. 9 be taken before No. 1. I raised the issue of mortgage arrears yesterday and on many occasions, and I have tabled what I see as a non-partisan motion, "That Seanad Éireann condemns the recently announced variable mortgage interest rate of 0.5% being imposed on mortgage holders by Bank of Ireland and ICS Building Society; and calls on the Government to take all necessary steps to reverse this unacceptable increase". We have an opportunity this morning for Members of the Seanad to speak as one, laying down a marker to Bank of Ireland. We should not forget that although we only own 15% of the bank, we guarantee the bank and ICS, including its deposits and liabilities.

There are now thousands of people who will, from 24 October, face substantial mortgage increases, as the rate is 4.49%. All of us across parties and those in none can surely agree that this rate increase is not right. There has been much discussion about what will happen but there is an opportunity for the Seanad Members to speak as one. We should allow the Minister, Deputy Noonan, come to the House by accepting this motion. I am sure he and the Minister of State, Deputy Hayes, are very concerned about the rate increase. I mentioned yesterday that figures for mortgage arrears are up 50% since June last year.

The crisis is getting worse. That two institutions guaranteed by the Irish taxpayer can arbitrarily increase the rate to 4.490% when the base ECB lending rate is 0.75% is a scandal. I ask all colleagues to look at this motion. I am not trying to beat up the Government on this.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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By way of clarification, it is No. 20, motion No. 9, on the Order Paper.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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It is real opportunity for the Seanad. By simply passing this motion, it would show that all representatives in this House condemn this mortgage interest rate increase and understand that the vast majority of mortgage holders are doing their level best to pay their mortgages. On a ¤300,000 mortgage, more than ¤100 net per month will be extracted from these families which are struggling already. By passing this motion, we have a chance to send a clear message from Seanad Éireann that this is not acceptable.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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Yesterday I raised the issue of the youth guarantee which the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, announced would be discussed during Ireland's Presidency of the EU next year. A number of other colleagues raised issues around this guarantee and youth unemployment. I am grateful to the Leader for reminding us that the Minister for Social Protection will be in the House on 18 October for a debate on social protection during which we will be able to discuss this guarantee. The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Creighton, will be in the House for a debate on EU affairs in the next few weeks and I ask the Leader that we might also be able to cover the issue of the youth guarantee in that debate. It offers a significant prospect of an effective way to tackle youth unemployment which is at unacceptably high levels in Ireland and across the EU and which clearly needs a European-wide response. I spoke about this yesterday and it is something we could all work towards. It would be great to try to address it in this House with the Minister, Deputy Burton, and the Minister of State, Deputy Creighton.

Will the Leader confirm the date of an education debate with the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn? Such a debate might include third level education. Yesterday my colleague and friend, Senator Barrett, rightly raised reports of a recommended merger of Trinity College and UCD. That was on the front pages of the newspapers yesterday arising from a report commissioned by the Higher Education Authority. Senator Barrett made some justified criticism of the nature of that report. His criticism has been even further vindicated today. The HEA has questions to answer about the reason it commissioned this report, from whom it commissioned it and how it was carried out. I saw reports that it was carried out based on a portfolio of information supplied to the international experts. I do not see any indication that they visited any of the universities, institutes of technology or third level institutions or that they spoke to any stakeholders. I know, as would Senator Barrett and others, having been involved in academic assessments of other institutions and departments in universities, that one of the first things one does is go to the university or institution and try to see how it works in practice through speaking to all of the stakeholders, including the students, lecturers and so on. There are real questions to be answered about this report and I am glad the Minister, Deputy Quinn, has come out very strongly against it, in particular this proposed merger, describing it as unfeasible. He is right about that.

I commend the members of GLEN and BeLonG To and other groups which helped us greatly yesterday in briefing Senators in advance of the debate on homophobic bullying which was addressed by the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Lynch. It was a good debate and in her response to the speeches on homophobic bullying, the Minister of State made a point of saying how useful she had found it and how valuable she found Seanad debates generally. It was good to see stakeholders and members of GLEN in the Visitors' Gallery. We all appreciated that.

Jillian van Turnhout (Independent)
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I take the opportunity to remind Senators that this evening, our Independent group has a Private Members' motion down to support the 1,400 children with life-limiting conditions and their families to ensure they can get provision of home care. In our motion, we have clearly shown the savings to the State. We worded our motion very carefully, being aware of the environment we are in and of the fact that parents who should be giving their undivided attention to those precious days, months and years with their children are instead having to fight a system.

I must admit that when I got the Government amendment last night, it was a body blow. It was a low point for me. The motion we are putting before the House this evening is a way for the Government to bring in a discrete policy for these 1,400 children around the model of the money follows the patient. Why not test it with these children? Let us do it now. Why are we waiting for more general policy? I appeal to the Leader and all Senators, in particular Government Senators, to attend the debate, to be open and to listen to the arguments. Hopefully, we can convince them to support out motion.

While a small number of families are affected, each of them has to fight for a medical card and support for their child. There are few things we can solve very easily but this is one. Let the Seanad take a lead today.

Feargal Quinn (Independent)
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Will the Leader consider a debate on the document issued yesterday by Senator Zappone, me and some former Senators, including Joe O'Toole, when people have had the chance to discuss it? It is a discussion document and, I hope, is non-controversial. I would like to think we could have a debate which would be non-controversial. When people have had the chance to read the document, I urge the Leader to have a debate in which there will be no vote. We can have statements rather than put down a motion which might perhaps embarrass those whose parties do not approve of it.

This is similar to what Senator van Turnhout said. It is a shame that every time a motion is put down, the Government feels obliged to table an amendment to it which contradicts the objectives of the motion. We should have a non-controversial and a non-divisive method of discussing items like that.

I agree entirely with what Senator Barrett said yesterday in regard to his concern about third level education and I was delighted to hear Senator Bacik refer to it today. There is much to discuss there. Senator Cullinane will be interested to see that one of the proposals is for a joint college of technology between Dublin and Waterford. It would appear there is much to debate in this area.

Let us try to ensure this House is not always controversial. We do not have controversies that often but let us ensure we can avoid them. A good discussion on third level education would be very welcome and from what I gather, the Minister, Deputy Quinn, would also welcome the opportunity to have that debate here.

Caít Keane (Fine Gael)
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I heard Senator Zappone on "Morning Ireland" today talking about the Seanad being used more to debate EU legislation. However, the following issue cannot wait for the reform of or abolition of the Seanad, if the people so decide. EU Commissioner Reding has proposed legislation which is going through. On 5 March last, Ms Reding announced the launch of a three-month public consultation process on the legislation asking what type of measures the EU should take to get more women into the boardrooms of companies in the EU and said the Commission would decide on further action.

One of the questions asked in that consultation process was whether 20%, 30%, 40% or 60% should be defined for the under-represented sex. We all know what the under-represented sex is; it is the female species. The proposed EU legislation is aimed at what EU officials have described as a severe gender imbalance across the 27 member states with 13.7% representation.

The proposal from the EU will not apply to all companies because small companies will ask how can they be expected to comply. It applies to larger companies with perhaps more than 200 employees or a turnover of ¤50 million. I do not want to frighten all the men sitting on the boards of small companies, or all the men sitting on boards of most companies in Ireland and the EU, that this will apply to all companies. My understanding is that it will not.

When I started out in politics, I was fiercely opposed to quotas for anything, whether gender or otherwise.

I have taken a full whirl on this, as it were, because the proof is in the pudding and all statistics show that only quotas work. The commissioner has stated that she does not like quotas, but she likes what quotas do. One year ago, the commissioner invited voluntary participation in this and only 24 companies across the EU took up the voluntary proposal. I do not know how many of them are Irish. The commissioner said we can count on her regulatory creativity so rather than be caught on the hop because it is coming down the track, I want a debate in this House on the proposal. The decision will be taken by qualified majority vote and will not be a blocking vote. I seek a debate on this serious issue. A study by the international law firm Eversheds has shown that share prices go up when women are on boards. I met a man from Iceland yesterday who told me the only bank that did not fail in Iceland was one headed by a woman. I want a debate on this issue sooner rather than later.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Permanent TSB is not a great example. Where is it now? Do we not own it?

Caít Keane (Fine Gael)
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I congratulate the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, on accepting the figure of 30% in politics but we are only beginning.

Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)
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I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Darragh O'Brien. There has been much debate over the years on the reform of the Oireachtas, not just the Seanad but also the Dáil, and how we do our business. Many of the demands we hear possibly come from people's perception of the way we work within the Houses of the Oireachtas. A point was raised by the Independent Senators and I agree with the sentiments they put forward. If a motion is tabled by a non-Government source, we should not automatically feel it necessary to oppose it. I have seen this not just with the current Government but with previous Governments. I was often surprised when I saw amendments tabled because many of the motions we debated on Wednesday evenings were generally ones with which, in our hearts, we agreed. We were trying to make a contribution, first, to highlight the issue put on the agenda and, second, to provide information. We have specialists in this House who table motions, which gives us an opportunity to build up our store of information. If the motion is passed eventually without a Government amendment, it does not bring down the Government or radically change how we do our business. It does, however, give us an opportunity to flag certain issues of importance. I cannot think of any issue more important than vulnerable children . In the context of the motion to be debated today, while I am not being critical of the Government because the previous Government did exactly the same thing, when it comes to reform, it would show we are capable of getting out of the straitjacket of party politics and the way we traditionally have done business. We all know times have changed. Whatever may happen to the motion to be debated today, I would like to think that in the future, more consideration would be given to arriving at consensus rather than division when people bring forward issues that are fundamental to society and vulnerable people who expect us to give them a voice when they have none.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Senator Quinn is one of the most reasonable and non-controversial people we have the good fortune to know. I liked his words with regard to the discussion document he circulated to us all. He has always endeavoured to be constructive and I agree with his call on the Leader to table the subject he raised for debate in the near future, in a non-controversial way and without a motion or vote. We want to ensure we are not divided on this subject. It is very well-meaning and meritorious and perhaps the Leader would consider it for debate for a few hours.

Sean Barrett (Independent)
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I echo the comments by Senators Coghlan and Ó Murchú. We do not come here for a Punch and Judy show and to have produced articles with lines like "Ashen-faced Minister will have to answer to the junior Minister because he was defeated in the Senate". We come here to serve the country and we should look at motions in that spirit because the previous type of politics led us to where we are now.

I thank the Leader for facilitating the education reference yesterday. It was very important and we knew the Minister would agree with what the Seanad said but the Seanad was here first and it is very important the Leader facilitated that.

I also wish to raise Senator Kelly's motion on the Order Paper concerning windmills. I believe the public service obligation part of one's electricity bill will increase because of the subsidies needed for the windmills. I appreciate Senator Kelly has other objections but we need to discuss this, particularly proposals that would involve Irish electricity consumers paying more in the public service obligation to export electricity to England. One estimate is that it will go up by 42% this year. It seems those projects need to be analysed and perhaps it is a topic to which we might return.

Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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It is appropriate that there are many young people in the Gallery at the moment in light of the issue I am about to raise, namely, a survey on alcohol use in the 18 to 24 year age group published today by Alcohol Action Ireland. This survey has some alarming statistics. One quarter of the respondents reported that they experienced a variety of harm as a result of another person's drinking. The survey found that one in 11 said that a family member had been assaulted by a person under the influence of drink, 45% said they go out of their way to avoid drunk people or places where drinkers were known to hang out, 21% said they were kept awake at night as a result of late night drinking, 18% said they felt unsafe while waiting for public transport and 12% said they were involved in a serious argument.

I ask the Leader to organise a debate at an early stage to discuss alcohol and alcohol abuse. I know this has been raised on a number of occasions. Not alone is there an impact on young people's health, relationships, the cost to the health service-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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There is a motion on the Adjournment on this matter in the name of Senator Clune and I am sure she will give Senator Mullins a minute of her time.

Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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I was not aware of that. I certainly welcome it but we need a full Seanad debate at an early stage. The motion on the Adjournment is one issue but this issue impacts society generally. As a country, we must face up to the serious issues of alcohol and drug abuse. We should devote at least one half day to discuss this major issue, which has been raised over several months by many Senators. It is time we bit the bullet on some of the issues we must confront as a nation.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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I support the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Darragh O'Brien. It is important for us to have a debate on the increase in the interest rate by Bank of Ireland and other banks. It is an important amendment, which I support. I also strongly support the call for a debate on the higher education sector, which would be an important debate to have in the next few weeks or months.

I also support the very constructive proposal from Senator Quinn for us to have a non-controversial debate about the future of this House. However, I would like to see this debate broadened to discuss reform of the Oireachtas and not just the Seanad. Obviously, it concerns the proposal made, but I imagine we all want to see reform of the Oireachtas in its entirety, not just a narrow focus on the Seanad.

I wish to raise two very important reports published and in the public domain in the past 24 hours and which reinforce the need for a strong debate in this House on the economy. The first is a statement by three European finance ministers that casts some doubt over a possible bank deal for the State.

We have to be strong and resolute in defending the interests of the people. It is important that we get a bank deal. While the Government is working with the Heads of State it is a matter of concern when three powerful politicians in the European Union issue a statement to the effect that the deal will not deal with legacy assets, in other words, previous banking debt, but only new banking debt. We also had a commentary from the Central Bank on the fiscal compact treaty which stated clearly that adjustments will be needed up to 2020, which means eight more austerity budgets. Therefore, those of us who said that the treaty would mean an extra ¤6 billion in cuts, in addition of what was committed to up to 2015, have been vindicated. That is linked to the Private Members' business matter tabled by the Independent Senators. In eight years time, following all those austerity budgets, I wonder how many more people will be living in poverty as a consequence of those decisions. It is important to have a focused debate on the economy and ensure we get the right banking deal and that when adjustments have to be made we protect the most vulnerable.

Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael)
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On Thursday last we had statements on flooding and flood prevention measures when the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Brian Hayes, was present. Senator Barrett and I raised the issue of insurance cover with him. I am concerned that there are areas in Cork and elsewhere where flood cover is not available because of a flooding history in the area. The Office of Public Works and the Irish Insurance Federation need to negotiate protocols. The Minister of State told the House bluntly that he was very frustrated at the lack of progress he is making with the Irish Insurance Federation. The effect of his comments was that one can bring the Irish Insurance Federation to the table but it is not engaging.

Yesterday the Irish Insurance Federation appeared before the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht, under the chairmanship of Deputy Ciarán Lynch, and said the Office of Public Works needs to communicate reliable information to it and it needs to have confidence in the OPW's review. That indicates it does not have confidence in the OPW. Within one week two views have been communicated to the Houses and in the meantime individuals, businesses and households cannot get insurance because they are in a flood risk area. I ask the Leader to convey the comments of the Irish Insurance Federation to the Minister of State who expressed a different view on Thursday last and have the matter resolved in order that those on the ground can move forward because they are frustrated.

Colm Burke (Fine Gael)
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I wish to follow up on what the Senator has just said in regard to the insurance industry. I am concerned that local authorities have not corresponded with the Irish Insurance Federation outlining what action they have taken to ensure there is not a repeat of the flood event that occurred in Cork. A councillor had a question tabled to one of the local authorities in the past week and the response was that the local authority felt it had no obligation to correspond with the Irish Insurance Federation. That is appalling because these are people who are experiencing difficulty in getting insurance. The Office of Public Works and local authorities should correspond with the Irish Insurance Federation and set out what action they have taken in order that there is not a repeat of the flood event that occurred in the past 12 months to two years.

I had a sad case recently where an elderly gentleman who came to my office understood he had full insurance cover. When he submitted a claim he was told by the insurance company that the first ¤10,000 was not claimable; the old rule was ¤1,000. We argued with the insurance company that this was unfair. He got no letter advising him that the excess had been increased from ¤1,000 to ¤10,000. I ask the insurance industry to be careful in how it manages its own affairs. We argued with the company and insisted on the claim, other than the ¤1,000, being paid and eventually it gave in. This elderly man had to engage other people to fight for what he was entitled to. That was appalling behaviour by the insurance industry which collects a good deal of money from householders and to behave in this way is unfair. Returning to the earlier issue I ask the Minister to correspond with local authorities requesting them to write to the Irish Insurance Federation setting out what action they have taken, as well as getting the Office of Public Works to do likewise.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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Following on from the two previous speakers I call on the insurance industry to update and issue a new charter and code of practice. It is a matter of concern that a situation can arise where a person is of the view that he or she is covered for everything in excess of ¤1,000 and then it becomes in excess of ¤10,000. In simple language that can be described as sharp practice, that is, an insurance company chancing its arm by taking advantage of a vulnerable citizen for greed.

I welcome the comments on "Morning Ireland" today by Michael Fuchs, vice-president of Angela Merkel's party, who strongly supported the concept of a renegotiated debt scenario for Ireland. With such powerful people in our corner we will see clear blue water in this area.

I support calls to the Leader for a debate on the report on alcoholism published yesterday. We have a serious problem. However, I am not happy at the notion that it will be later than 2016 before sporting events are banned from using drinks companies to fund themselves. Drinks company advertisements should be banned from the national airwaves. As a society we will have to seriously consider raising the legal age for consuming alcohol to 21, as in other countries. We have a serious problem.

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Guinness sponsored County Clare once. The Senator may need to speak to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, about the cuts in Clare.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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We have a serious problem. We could start in the great offices of the House to lead a national crusade to deal with the problem.

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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Thug mé faoi deara sa liosta den reachtaíocht atá le plé, faighte an tseachtain seo caite, go bhfuil an Bille iascaireachta curtha siar. Is ábhar imní dom é sin agus ba mhaith liom aird a tharraingt ar sin. I draw attention to the fact that on the legislative agenda received last week the fisheries Bill has once again been deferred. I have raised the issue on a number of occasions, particularly the decriminalisation of penalties that fishing captains receive if found to be remiss in filling out their log books etc. This was a huge campaign issue for the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Simon Coveney, prior to the election, and he promised to address the anomaly of criminalising fishermen which was introduced by the previous Administration. It is a complicated and stressful issue for those involved because the sanctions for a criminal prosecution for inserting incorrect dates on log books are massive. A number of cases have been struck out by judges who consider the Government is remiss in dealing with the issue.

As it is a matter of utmost importance and a serious issue for fishing families who are in a difficult situation and it is a difficult industry in which to be involved, it is pertinent to discuss the issue with the Minister as soon as possible. It is a huge industry and one that has been under pressure. I appreciate the Minister has done much good work on quotas but it is a case of a lot done and more to do. We should have a debate on the issue and the Bill should be brought forward as soon as possible. Beidh mé ag súil go dtiocfaidh an tAire i bhfeighil iascaireachta isteach leis an ábhar an-tábhachtach seo a phlé chomh luath agus is féidir.

Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael)
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I compliment the Minister for agriculture on his announced yesterday of a new AEOS 3 scheme that will provide ¤20 million. I also compliment him on savings made in his Department over the past 18 months or more at a testing time for the economy. The announcement means that 6,000 new farmers will be able to participate in the scheme and I would welcome an acknowledgement from the other side of the House.

Today ¤154 million will also be paid to farmers under the disadvantaged areas scheme. The payment has been made on time. It has been such a testing time weather wise and the payment will be a welcome boost to cashflow for most farmers.

Denis Landy (Labour)
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I request the Leader to seek a debate on the HSE's directive to withdraw funding for travel for non-clinical work. As Members of this House may know, suicide awareness training falls into the category. The directive means that the allowances paid to current specialised tutors will be cut and a service that is aimed at removing the stigma attached to suicide and giving support to communities is now at risk. In my home town, 29 people from the community have signed up for the course at the Nano Nagle Centre, Carrick-on-Suir. The course provides people with support and an opportunity to learn the skills required to spot signs of suicidal behaviour. It gives people the lifesaving tools they need to help others in their community affected by suicide. After the first three sessions funding towards the travel costs for the tutor has been cut. The drastic action has caused great disappointment among participants and the likelihood is that training will be put on hold until at least the New Year. This is at a time when more people are being treated for self-harm in our accident and emergency centres caused by either cyber-bullying, loss of a job or loneliness and isolation in rural Ireland. The relatively small amount of money allocated for the running of the service should be reinstated as soon as possible. I appeal to the Minister of State and my Labour Party colleague, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to find out if anything can be done to reverse such a drastic decision to cut services of this nature. I ask the Leader to request the relevant Minister to deal with the issue as a matter of urgency.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Leader to organise a debate on driving licences on two fronts. First, many people have worked on the campaign for a new EU driving licence - myself included - along with various organ donor organisations here. We want a tick box to be included on all driving licences in the EU in order that more families are aware of the intention of their loved ones. A central database would hold such information in order that a hospital and loved ones could find out a person's intentions should he or she pass away.

Second, I also seek a debate with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport on driving licences for Irish citizens in Canada. We have pushed for a reciprocal arrangement where we would recognise their full licences and they would recognise ours. Unfortunately, there seems to be a great resistance to it in the Department and the Road Safety Authority. About 5,000 Irish citizens travel to Canada and they must go through its entire process in order to get a licence. I had a meeting with the Canadian ambassador who has pushed hard for the cause. The provinces of New Brunswick and Saskatchewan have unilaterally decided to recognise Irish driving licences and Ireland needs to take a step in a similar direction. I ask the Leader to organise a debate in order to ensure that Irish citizens receive a full licence in exchange for their Irish one when they travel to Canada.

During the week an EU Commissioner commented on a federal Europe and stated that a federal Europe was the only solution to the current crisis. A fortnight ago President Barroso also talked about a federal Europe and now a new commissioner has mentioned it. I would like the Leader to organise a debate on a federal Europe because we did not sign up to one.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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Deputy Micheál Martin promised it.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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A union of nation states is what people signed up to. Federalism was not in the charter.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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Micheál is listening.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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We have an incremental federalism being proposed by the bureaucrats at the top who are unelected. We must arrange a debate on the matter as soon as possible.

John Kelly (Labour)
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I ask the Leader to bring the following matter to the attention of the Minister for Health because the problems related to medical card assessments have not gone away. I know for a fact that families who submitted comprehensive information to the primary care reimbursement service, PCRS, have had some of their documentation selected but not some documentation that would favour their application. It is quite frustrating to deal with the PCRS. Only two weeks ago I had a situation where a fellow who submitted a P60 showing that he earned ¤19,000 per year received a written reply stating that he was ¤8,450 a week over the limit for receipt of a medical card. If that is an example of the work being done then it is important that the Minister steps in again to resolve the issues.

Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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I would like to touch on two items briefly and perhaps the Leader can help us. The Minister for Education and Skills is about to introduce a Bill on the education and training boards but it has been brought to my attention that there is no seat on that board for the further education sector. We know that the education and training boards means the reduction of 33 VECs down to 16. A core component and key part of their work is adult education. It would be outrageous if no seat was provided on the board for people that represent adult education, adult literary and further education. I ask the Minister to flag the issue now but Members will raise the matter during the debate on the Bill. Ideally, the legislation needs to be amended beforehand to include the provision. It would be good if the legislation arrived here already drafted.

We have raised the following matter before when we debated the Civil Registration Act with the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton. We need to table an amendment to help Irish families whose loved ones die abroad to have their deaths registered at home. We only think of the matter when it affects ourselves but there are quite a few families in Ireland who are upset. Examples that come to mind are those people whose young sons have died while on a working visa or during a summer abroad or their husbands died in the Middle East. We need to put pressure on the Minister. I was assured by the registrar that a memo was being sent to Cabinet last spring but that has still not happened. Resolving both of the issues that I raised would greatly help a lot of people.

Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
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I support Senator Healy Eames in her call for the adult education service to be afforded a place on the new ETBs because it is an important matter. The adult education sector provides training for tens of thousands of people on a yearly basis throughout the 26 counties and is due a place on the education and training boards. Adult education officers provide an excellent service to people who were not afforded the opportunity of an education heretofore. I support the Senator's call that they should be represented on the education and training boards.

I call on the Leader to contact the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade about the Passport Office which provides an excellent service for the general public but delays arise at peak times. Trips have been cancelled because passports were not issued in time. We are told by the Passport Office that members of the public that use the postal system are guaranteed a passport within ten working days but that is not the case.

Another difficulty that I discovered during the summer was where a constituent contacted me stating that he or she had lost or mislaid his or her passport and therefore was not entitled to avail of the excellent emergency service provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

In fact, there is a rule in operation for the last 18 months or so whereby if one loses one's passport one must wait a minimum of five days before it will be processed. That must be examined and I ask the Leader to contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to see if that difficulty can be overcome. While he is in contact with the Department he might inquire if the Oireachtas passport system could be reinstated. It has been very valuable to our constituents.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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A number of Members have raised specific items on the Order of Business. Adjournment motions would be the more appropriate means of dealing with such specific matters, as there is little I can do about them. It would be a better way for Members to get answers about specific problems that they quite correctly raise.

Senator Darragh O'Brien has asked about the vacancy in Temple Street Children's University Hospital and mentioned that he is having a meeting with the Minister-----

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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No, I will ask him about it when he is in the House to deal with the Bill today.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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Okay.

On the household charge and the withholding of funding to local authorities, my understanding is that a number of local authorities have received moneys already in the context of money that had been withheld because the percentage had not been reached. I do not think there is a specific percentage. However, I understand that Waterford County Council and others have received a large percentage of the money that had been withheld. I cannot say if that is the situation in Clare but I will make further inquiries about it.

I addressed the question the Senator raised about motion No. 9 relating to mortgages yesterday. Bank of Ireland is a private commercial company-----

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Guaranteed by us.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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-----and I do not propose to accept the proposed amendment to the Order of Business.

Senators Bacik, Barrett, Cullinane and others sought a debate on education. The Minister for Education and Skills will be in the House on either 16 or 23 October, but the date has not been finalised. The Minister has to confirm one of the dates for me.

Senator van Turnhout and other Members referred to the Private Members' motion that will be discussed this evening. I join Senator van Turnhout in hoping that we will have a very constructive debate. Governments decide whether to submit an amendment to a motion. That is the way it has been and the previous Government always tabled amendments to motions. However, we have reached agreement in the House on motions in the past. It is not just a matter of tabling amendments to them. Let us see how we get on with this. I am sure there will be a constructive debate this evening on the excellent motion proposed by the Independent Senators.

Senator Quinn and all other Senators received the consultation document on proposed Seanad reform. I will accede to the Senator's request and we might have a discussion on it next week.

Feargal Quinn (Independent)
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I thank the Leader.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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We probably will not require a Minister to be present to listen to the debate. We can have a constructive debate among ourselves on the document. I have only read part of it yet.

Senator Keane referred to Commissioner Reding and the issue of gender imbalance in the board rooms of large companies in the EU. As she said, the Government has taken steps with regard to the participation of women in politics through the introduction of quotas. I will consider whether to have a debate on Commissioner Reding's proposals.

Senator Barrett raised the issue of wind energy and windmills and suggested that a cost-benefit analysis be carried out. We will definitely return to that issue in the near future.

Senator Mullins referred to the report Senators received this morning from Alcohol Action Ireland. I have arranged for the Minister of State, Deputy Róisín Shortall, to come to the House before the end of October to address the issues raised in the report and to have a broader debate on alcohol. She has been to the House previously and expressed the wish to return again. We will facilitate her before the end of next month.

Senator Cullinane raised the HEA report and the Seanad consultation report and correctly pointed out that we must get a deal on our bank debt. I assure the Senator that the Government will continue to work on securing the best possible deal for the country. It is essential.

Senators Clune, Conway and Colm Burke raised the insurance industry. Senator Clune referred to the lack of insurance for homes and businesses in areas that are at risk of flooding. Each of the Senators spoke about the need for greater communication between all bodies involved in this area, with Senator Colm Burke mentioning local authorities in particular. I could not agree more with him and note the point he made relating to the excess on policies moving from ¤1,000 to ¤10,000 with some insurance companies. There is certainly an obligation on insurance companies to notify their customers of such changes.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh raised the sanctions against fishermen. I agree that the vast majority of fishermen are law abiding. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine will be in the House on Thursday next week to discuss Common Agricultural Policy reforms and there might be an opportunity to raise that matter with him then or, perhaps, the Senator could raise the issue on the Adjournment.

Senator O'Neill has obviously just returned from the ploughing championships because he was able to announce the new agri-environment options scheme and the ¤154 million for disadvantaged areas which will be paid out today. I am sure the Minister will expand on those issues when he is in the House on Thursday week.

Senator Landy raised a specific case and I believe he would get a more specific answer if he tabled a motion on that issue for debate on the Adjournment. Likewise, the issue raised by Senator Kelly, an update on the situation with medical card assessments, would probably get a specific answer through an Adjournment debate. I realise there are long and unacceptable delays not only with regard to medical card assessments but also in many other areas such as invalidity benefit and carer's benefit. I am sure the Senator will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

The matter raised by Senator Daly is also a specific item. Rather than having a debate on the issue of driving licences, he should table an Adjournment motion and get a specific answer to the question he raised. The EU and the issue of federalism is a matter for another day. We will try to arrange a debate on European affairs in which the Senator can address that issue.

Senator Healy Eames raised education and training boards. The Minister will be introducing legislation but I do not know if it has been published yet. If not, we can certainly make representations regarding boards and the members of such boards. On the registration of deaths, perhaps the Senator would table an Adjournment motion to seek an update on the situation. She has raised the matter previously.

The same applies to Senator Wilson.

I will make inquiries about the delays in the Passport Office. Generally, it is very good but if it is not meeting the ten day target, something is astray and must be addressed.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator Darragh O'Brien has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That No. 20, motion No. 9, be taken before No. 1." Is the amendment being pressed?

Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)
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Yes.