The vast majority of Members who spoke welcomed the announcement of the children's rights referendum. The purpose of the 31st amendment to the Constitution is to expressly recognise children in their own right within the Constitution. I certainly welcome Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin support for the referendum and the wording. It is important that the referendum be passed. It is the fundamental backdrop to the wider programme of change for children being pursued by the Government. As I have outlined, we will have the opportunity to discuss the referendum over three days in the week after next. Everyone will have ample opportunity to discuss the wording and any other matter relating to it. I note that many Members have welcomed the fact that the referendum will be held on a Saturday. I hope this will be a sign of things to come where elections are concerned and that many of them may be held on a Saturday rather than a Thursday, but that it a matter for another day.

Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the question of the new property tax. Given the economic damage inflicted on the State by an unbalanced tax system, the Government is committed to introducing a new local property tax to fund essential local services. This is in line with our commitments under the EU-IMF troika programme and was part of the original agreement signed up to by Fianna Fáil. A group under the independent chairmanship of Don Thornhill was established to consider the policy approach and modalities for a property tax. To date, the group has engaged in detailed work and an analysis of the submissions received. The report will feed into the Government's deliberations on the design and implementation of a property tax. At this stage the Government has not had an opportunity to discuss the report of Dr. Thornhill.

It might publish the report.

The new property charge will be fair. We need to carefully consider the various issues in introducing a property tax and the Government will not be rushed into making decisions on the matter. The only decision taken by it regarding the property tax is that it will be administered and collected by the Revenue Commissioners and that it will take effect in the middle of 2013. No further policy decisions on it have been taken by the Government.

I note Senator Darragh O'Brien's point about Temple Street Children's University Hospital, the cystic fibrosis unit and the lack of a physiotherapist there. Certainly, I will make representations to the Minister in that regard.

I thank the Leader.

I welcome Senator Martin McAleese's suggestions and would welcome suggestions for future innovations. He has outlined the innovations that we have had to date. Of course, I would welcome suggestions for future innovations in the House within Standing Orders. I thank the Senator for his remarks in that regard.

Senator Rónán Mullen dealt with the referendum, but he also commented on the need for reform in the legal system and other areas and asked for the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to the House. I imagine we will have ample opportunity to discuss the items he raised on the Order of Business today.

We all join Senator Jim D'Arcy in congratulating the former President, Mrs. Mary McAleese, on becoming chair of the new EU body on higher education. I note the Senator's comments on language skills which were echoed by Senator Deirdre Clune. The Minister for Education and Skills will be here to discuss such matters on 16 October and there will be an opportunity for Members to debate the issues raised at that point.

I welcome Senator Thomas Byrne's offer of help in dealing with the health system and the overruns in the health budget.

It is a bit rich coming from a Senator whose party leader, Deputy Micheál Martin, presided as Minister over budget overruns of €638 million and spent €14 million on consultants' reports which gathered dust in the Department for many years afterwards. That type of help is not welcome from the Senator.

He is not doing badly after 18 months.

Senator Marie Moloney spoke about social welfare matters. As I mentioned at the start of the Order of Business, the Minister for Social Protection will come to the House on 18 October. Senator Fidelma Healy Eames also called on the Minister to come to the House. She will address the matters raised on 18 October.

Senator Katherine Zappone will have ample time to relay her ideas on the economy in the weeks ahead. She also called for a debate on gender recognition. I can inform her that the Minister will come to the House for statements on the matter next week. I assure her that the appointment of the chair of the constitutional convention is imminent. The convention will be up and running by the end of October.

Senator Terry Brennan and other Members highlighted the shortage of tickets for the all-Ireland final, a matter which is not very relevant to the Order of Business. I can assure the House that I have no tickets. Like most others, I was turned down when I applied for tickets. That is the situation.

Senator Sean D. Barrett mentioned the sad events in Northern Ireland at the weekend, when three members of the Spence family died in such tragic circumstances. It reminds us of the dangers encountered on farms on a daily basis. Senators Pat O'Neill and Michael Comiskey suggested the Ministers on either side of the Border should work together to find some way of monitoring various gases and seeing what could be done to prevent such a tragedy from happening in the future.

Senator Eamonn Coghlan spoke about our Olympians and Paralympians. We would all like to join him in complimenting each and every one of them. The Paralympians, in particular, were an inspiration to us all.

Senator David Cullinane addressed a number of items. I welcome Sinn Féin's support for the forthcoming children's rights referendum. Senator Fidelma Healy Eames mentioned the referendum in the context of the adoption (amendment) Bill which is being published. I am sure her points will be taken into consideration when we discuss that legislation.

Senator Feargal Quinn referred to sick pay. I remind him that the Minister will be in attendance on 18 October as part of the budgetary process. I am sure the points made by various Senators can be relayed to the Minister on that day.

Senator Michael Comiskey spoke about the Revenue Commissioners, with which I do not wish to get involved. They have stated they will deal with those who have problems on a one-to-one basis.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh mentioned the Lisbrook centre. I know he has arranged for the matter to be discussed in the AV room. Perhaps he might table an Adjournment motion in order to highlight the issue.

Senator Paschal Mooney referred to Clare County Council. Section 7 of the Local Government (Financial Provisions) (No. 2) Act 1983 provides that "where a sum is due to a local authority ... under any enactment ... and, at the same time, another sum is due by that authority to that person, the former sum may be set off against the latter". Local authorities are thus empowered to set off moneys owed to them against moneys due to be paid out. However, no moneys have been withheld by Clare County Council in respect of higher education grants.

The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has advised Clare County Council to ensure that its treatment of such grants is appropriate in respect of any provision laid down by the Department of Education and Skills, and furthermore that the provision in the Local Government (Financial Provisions) (No. 2) Act 1983 is specific to the person who owes the money to the local authority. Any grant cannot, therefore, be partially withheld from a student because his or her parent or guardian is liable for the charge and has not paid it. That clarifies that matter.

I have dealt with the matters raised by Senators.