Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I have received notice from Senator Ged Nash 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 to extend city status to Drogheda in the context of the National Planning Framework.

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

The need for the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to make a statement on the 23,000 female pensioners who are receiving reduced pension payments due to band changes and the marriage ban and on how she proposes to address the matter.

I have also received notice from Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile of the following matter:

The need for the Minister of Education and Skills to outline the current point-system based entry process for A-Level students from the north of Ireland who are applying for University places in this State; what subjects are not accepted for entry on certain degree courses; and to ensure that institutions in this State do not erect additional barriers to entry for students from the North because they sit a different examination.

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

The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the current state of ambulance response times in Cavan-Monaghan and the north east Region and to clarify what resources are in place for locating addresses and providing cover for active ambulances on a call-out.

I have also received notice from Senator Maura Hopkins of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the provision of increased ground and air ambulance services in County Roscommon, as committed to in the programme for Government.

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

The need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sportto provide funding for the repair of the Olympic Swimming Pool in the University of Limerick.

I have also received notice from Senator Catherine Noone of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Finance to outline, in light of new studies showing that the incidence of obesity and diabetes among Irish men and women has increased steadily since 2010 and is projected to continue to do so, if he will consider ring-fencing some, if not all, of the annual €40 million which is expected to be generated from the sugar tax to tackle obesity in the same way that income from the plastic bag levy is used for environmental funding.

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

The need for the Minister for Defence to address the amount of money being spent on the purchase of new ships for the Irish Naval Service, and the dispatch of the LÉ Samuel Beckettto help the arms industry at the recent London Arms Fair.

I have also received notice from Senator Keith Swanick of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Justice and Equality to consider legislation to protect front-line emergency workers.

I regard the matters raised by the Senators as suitable for discussion. I have selected the matters raised by Senators Nash, Reilly, Ó Donnghaile and Gallagher and they will be taken now.The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise.