Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Before we begin, I understand that the Leader will clarify a problem with the availability of Ministers or Ministers of State for the Commencement Matters.

Mary White (Fianna Fail)
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Could the Leas-Chathaoirleach repeat that, please?

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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My understanding is that a Minister or Minister of State is not available to take the debates at this juncture.

Mary White (Fianna Fail)
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I am sorry, but I cannot hear the Leas-Chathaoirleach. Say it again.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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There is a problem with the availability of any Minister or Minister of State to take the first two Commencement Matters at this juncture.

Mary White (Fianna Fail)
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Last week, I raised the serious issue of Ms Carol Brill, who has Usher syndrome. I am sorry, Senator Bacik, but can you-----

Mary White (Fianna Fail)
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Do not try to stop me. I rang the Taoiseach to let him know what was happening here today.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I think that there is a possibility-----

Mary White (Fianna Fail)
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I am making my point. It is a democracy.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Just one second. There is a possibility that a Minister will be along in the next 15 or 20 minutes and that we will be able to deal with this matter then. It is not the case that no one is coming.

Mary White (Fianna Fail)
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That sounds good, but I was informed-----

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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At this juncture, I do not know whether-----

Mary White (Fianna Fail)
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Excuse me, but can I-----

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Unfortunately, like the Senator, I-----

Mary White (Fianna Fail)
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Would the Leas-Chathaoirleach please listen to me?

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Yes.

Mary White (Fianna Fail)
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I got a call from Mr. Adrian McLaughlin in the Minister of State's office. He told me that the Minister of State, Deputy English, would not be able to take my Commencement Matter and had two of his own. I am putting exactly what happened on the record. The Government cannot muster up a Minister in its last days to discuss the matter of a lady who has Usher syndrome and has fallen between the cracks in the health system.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Leaving the merits of it aside, I am not doubting that. Maybe the Leader might consider suspending for a few minutes.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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The first that I have heard about the unavailability of Ministers is now. I have not been informed about it whatsoever.

Mary White (Fianna Fail)
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I was informed at approximately 2.20 p.m.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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This is the first time. We can suspend the House for 20 minutes and I will try to find-----

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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If we suspended until 2.45 p.m.,-----

Caít Keane (Fine Gael)
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A Minister will be here later.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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We will suspend until 2.45 p.m., when I believe the Minister of State, Deputy English, will be available.

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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We will come back then.

Mary White (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Leader.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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My understanding is that, at 2.45 p.m.-----

Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)
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We can list the Commencement Matters for debate.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I can go through those.

Ivana Bacik (Independent)
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We just need to know.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I am informed that the Minister of State, Deputy English, is only prepared to take the third matter at 2.45 p.m. and that they are waiting for another Minister to take the other two, if possible. It may not be possible. I am in the Chair because-----

Caít Keane (Fine Gael)
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Could the Leas-Chathaoirleach read out the three Commencement Matters that have been selected so that they might be on the record?

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Yes. I have received notice from Senator Mary White that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, she proposes to raise the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Health to ensure deaf-blindness is formally recognised as a disability in Ireland.

I have also received notice from Senator Thomas Byrne of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Health to regulate and prohibit car parking charges at public primary health care centres.

I have also received notice from Senator Cáit Keane of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the details of negotiations with regard to Gaelscoil Chnoc Liamhna in Knocklyon, Dublin 16, in particular, to highlight the reasons for the hold up in developments for the school.

I regard the matters raised by the Senators as suitable for discussion and they will be taken in due course.

Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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On a point of order, is there a suggestion that a Minister will appear to hear the Fianna Fáil motions?

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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At this juncture, I have no guarantee except to say that the Minister of State, Deputy English, is due to take one and that-----

Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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A Fine Gael motion.

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Rather than jumping the gun, maybe-----

Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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I am just inquiring, as it seems-----

Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I understand the Senator's anxiety and concern as well as those of Senator White. It is unfortunate, but we might have more information when we resume at 2.45 p.m. and the Leader might be able to update the House. I thank Members for their patience.