Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I have received notice from Senator Robbie Gallagher that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, in light of the potential environmental benefits to the Blackwater catchment, to advise if 90% funding will be made available to Milltown group sewerage scheme, County Monaghan, and when in 2017 can they expect the rural water allocation.

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

The need for the Minister for Social Protection to clarify the future role of more than 300 people who are currently employed in the local employment service in view of the significant decrease in their workload because of the increase in full employment for those who previously were long-term unemployed.

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

The need for the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works and flood relief to clarify how the serious threat to homes and the local road access from storms, tides and coastal erosion at The Burrow in Portrane, north County Dublin, will be addressed and what mitigation measures will be put in place to deal with the matter.

I have also received notice from Senator Máire Devine of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Health to implement solutions as identified by the expert panel on provisions of the fire service based emergency medical service system in Dublin.

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

The need for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to explain what rationale is being given for the closing down of Connect Ireland, considering it is currently creating jobs, many of which are in rural Ireland, and incurs a lower cost per job ratio than IDA Ireland.

I have also received notice from Senator Aidan Davitt of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to address the lack of regulation for mobile telecommunication companies selling SIM cards and prepaid mobile phones without the need for identification or proof of address and without parents’ consent for minors.

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 have also received notice from Senator Martin Conway of the following matter:

The need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to state when she intends to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

I regard the matters raised by the Senators as suitable for discussion. I have selected the matters raised by Senators Gallagher, Burke, Reilly and Devine and they will be taken now. Senators Gavan, Davitt, Ó Clochartaigh and Conway may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise. I call Senator Robbie Gallagher.