Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I have received notice from Senator Rose Conway-Walsh that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, she proposes to raise the following matter:

The need for the Minister of State at the Department of Health with special responsibility for disability issues to examine the issue of medical certificates and mobilisation grants to enable people with disabilities and mobility problems to access transport, in particular, the need to examine the requirement for disability to affect the lower limbs in order to be entitled to a medical certificate.

I have also received notice from Senator Colm Burke of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Health to introduce an independent appeals process under the fair deal scheme to allow a right to appeal for nursing home providers who are unhappy with the fee proposed by the National Treatment Purchase Fund.

I have also received notice from Senator Frank Feighan of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the development of, and staffing provision for, a palliative care centre planned by Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation at Roscommon University Hospital.

I have also received notice from Senator Robbie Gallagher of the following matter:

In light of the ever-increasing waiting list for part-time and distance education courses at Ballyhaise Agricultural College, County Cavan, the need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to sanction the necessary temporary education staff so that these courses can proceed without delay.

I have also received notice from Senator Paul Gavan of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to comment on reports that munitions being used by Saudi Arabia for indiscriminate bombing of civilians in Yemen may have been transported by US military aircraft through Shannon Airport and that US military midair refuelling planes that passed through Shannon Airport in June, 2016, may have been used to refuel the Saudi Arabian aircraft involved.

I have also received notice from Senator Ivana Bacik of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Justice and Equality, in light of recent media reports that an act of female genital mutilation, FGM, has been reported to the HSE and An Garda Síochána, to state how many cases of FGM have been reported to An Garda Síochána since the implementation of the Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Act 2012; what supports are provided to agencies such as AkiDwA which are working to prevent the incidence of FGM in the community; and if the Government will sign up to the second national action plan on FGM.

I regard the matters raised by the Senators as suitable for discussion. I have selected the matters raised by Senators Rose Conway-Walsh, Colm Burke, Frank Feighan and Robbie Gallagher and they will be taken now. Senators Paul Gavan and Ivana Bacik may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise.