Seanad debates

Wednesday, 11 November 2015

10:30 am

Photo of Paddy BurkePaddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I have received notice from Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise 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 Breeder Society's inspection and classification programme for the Connemara pony.

I have also received notice from Senator Lorraine Higgins of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to hold the wreath-laying ceremony for the Athenry 1916 commemoration ceremony at the Commemorative Garden at the Back Lawn, Swangate, Athenry, County Galway.

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

The need for the Minister for Health to discuss the waiting times for joint physiotherapy and occupational therapy assessment in the HSE, particularly in counties Cavan and Monaghan, and what is being done to alleviate this.

I have also received notice from Senator Fidelma Healy Eames of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to appoint a multidisciplinary team to assess and treat the 106 young girls experiencing serious adverse health effects on an ongoing basis since they received the HPV vaccine, gardasil.

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

The need for the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to state whether the 2% levy of their turnover paid to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland by independent radio stations could be taken by the Government from the television licence fund.

I regard the matters raised by Senators Ó Clochartaigh, Higgins and Reilly as suitable for discussion. I have selected Senators Ó Clochartaigh's and Higgins's matters and they will be taken now. Senator Reilly has withdrawn her commencement matter as she is caught up in the very serious and ongoing traffic disruption.

I regret that I have had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator Healy Eames on the grounds that it is a repeat of a similar commencement matter raised on 3 November and that the Minister has no official responsibility in the matter. I regret I have also had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator Daly on the ground that the Minister has no official responsibility in the matter.