Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Before we begin, I wish to welcome Muslum Mammadov, a member of the Azerbaijan National Assembly. He is here as a special guest of our Seanad foreign affairs expert, Senator Terry Leyden. He is very welcome.

I have notice from Senator Jennifer Murnane O’Connor 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 provide an update on the provision of a suitable working environment for the paramedic and ambulance drivers based in Carlow.

I have also received notice from Senator Tim Lombard of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the distribution and uptake figures relating to the free meningitis B vaccination programme and to consider the proposed back dating of vaccinations for children outside the original timeframe.

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

The need for the Minister for Social Protection to confirm that where workers employed by construction firms or labour agencies have had redundancy payments fulfilled by the social insurance fund, despite the fact that those entities were not in receivership, liquidation or examinership, the Department of Social Protection has pursued those entities for full reimbursement of the amounts to the fund, and that such entities cannot be in receipt of a publicly funded contract unless any outstanding moneys in respect of the social insurance fund have been recouped in full, whether they are the principal contractor or are sub-contracted to the public entity.

I have also received notice from Senator Kevin Humphreys of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to bring forward a pilot scheme on Poolbeg west strategic development zone in Dublin for affordable housing and affordable rental.

I have also received notice from Senator Kieran O'Donnell of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to outline the responsibilities of the Environmental Protection Agency to monitor air pollution in the context of licences it grants in respect of industrial sites such as that of Irish Cement at Castlemungret, Limerick.

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

The need for the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to outline what progress is being made to establish and protect the seaweed cutting rights of individual harvesters and what changes he proposes to make to the licensing regime in this regard.

I regard the matters raised by the Senators as suitable for discussion. I have selected Senators Murnane O'Connor, Lombard, Gavin and Humphreys and they will be taken now. Senators O’Donnell and Ó Clochartaigh may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise.