Seanad debates

Thursday, 5 November 2015

10:30 am

Photo of Paddy BurkePaddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I have received notice from Senator Colm Burke that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Health to review the current procedure under the fair deal scheme whereby the three-year rule does not apply to a person who has an income-generating asset such as a family farm.

I have received notice from Senator Tom Sheahan of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Finance to issue primary medical certificates to all people with Down's syndrome.

I have received notice from Senator Mary Ann O'Brien of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the measures of the Charities Regulatory Authority to implement key actions arising from the Charities Act 2009 in order to ensure greater accountability, protect against fraud and abuse and enhance confidence and increase transparency in the sector.

I have received notice from Senator Mark Daly of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline why section 102 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which allows for the smart tagging or electronic tagging of those charged with serious offences, has not been commenced.

I have received notice from Senator Paschal Mooney of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to clarify the situation regarding the taxation of tractor units following the recent court ruling which stated that a tractor is not a vehicle.

I have received notice from Senator Kathryn Reilly of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline what precautions, if any, are being taken to protect dairy farmers who are being adversely affected, to the point of being forced out of the industry, by the falling price of milk.

I have received notice from Senator Hildegarde Naughton of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Health to outline the position regarding the provision of extra hospital beds to ease overcrowding at University Hospital Galway.

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

The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline whether he has full confidence in the Connemara Pony Breeders Society's inspection and classification programme for the Connemara pony.

I have received notice from Senator Catherine Noone of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to clarify the issue of a second year of free child care for children who are currently receiving their first year of free child care.

I regard the matters raised by the Senators as suitable for discussion. I have selected the matters raised by Senators Colm Burke, Sheahan, Mary Ann O’Brien and Daly, and they will be taken now. Senators Mooney, Reilly, Naughton, Ó Clochartaigh and Noone may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise.