I call the Deputy Leader to respond, please.

Senator O'Brien raised a number of issues, as did a number of other Senators. Senator O'Brien first asked about the Seanad taking on the role of scrutiny of EU legislation. I am told the Leader obtained a reply on this matter, which has been previously raised in this House, from the Ceann Comhairle. The issue will be discussed at the group leaders meeting tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Senator O'Brien also called again today for a debate on perinatal care. The Leader has followed up on that matter. While I do not have a date for such debate, I understand the Leader has already committed on the Order of Business to providing time for it.

On mortgage resolution measures, Second Stage of the Personal Insolvency Bill 2012 will be taken on 21 November next. This legislation is part of the Government's response to the critical issue of mortgage arrears, which we are all agreed is one of the biggest challenges facing Ireland. The Government has outlined a five-part response to this issue, part of which is rebalancing personal insolvency legislation to strike a fairer balance between debtors and creditors. Another part is challenging the banks to live up to their responsibilities, which is the issue specifically raised by the Senator. I understand that lenders have submitted to the Central Bank the options they propose to address the problem of distressed mortgages. These include split mortgages, trade-down mortgages, restructuring of mortgage payments and forbearance. These options will be rolled out in a measured way so as to ensure the banks have sufficient operational capacity to implement them. It is an ongoing process.

Senator O'Brien also raised the issue of home helps. I have raised this issue with Labour Party Ministers and have asked them to pass on my concerns directly. As stated by Senator Moloney, many of us have asked that action be taken to address the issue of home helps. The Government has made clear its commitment to supporting older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.

Approximately €320 million has been invested in home help and home care packages this year. As the Senator is aware, regular reviews take place on a case-by-case basis. The Government has committed that no current recipient with an assessed need will be left without a service and the HSE has committed to continuing its partnership approach with non-profit and private companies to operate home care packages and ensure services meet the preferred wishes of many vulnerable older people. We recognise this also reduces pressures elsewhere in the wider care system. We are following up on it.

Senator Clune raised the JobBridge review launched by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Burton, which is an independent evaluation. I share the Senator's welcome for the very positive outcomes of the JobBridge programme, of which many of us have direct experience. It is very welcome. Senator Clune also raised the issue of illegal substances sold over the Internet. We might have a debate on this. It is a very serious issue. Other colleagues raised the fact that we debated this at length in the House when discussing the head shop legislation, but it is clear it needs to be reviewed.

Senator Whelan spoke about the two very brave journalists, Paul Kimmage and David Walsh, who exposed the extent of doping in cycling and faced various repercussions for this. We all agree with the Senator in commending them and on the need for robust media. He raised the legislation on media ownership which has been promised. I checked on this and I am told it is unlikely it will be introduced in this session due to the volume of other legislation on the priority list. It is something for which we need to keep pressing.

Senator Mullen raised the issue of perinatal care to which I have already responded. He asked for a debate on the McKenna judgment in the context of the children's rights referendum. It would be good to have a debate on this. Other colleagues raised it also. Perhaps after the referendum we could discuss it. It is noteworthy the Oireachtas communications unit responded very quickly to concerns raised about staff support for a photocall, which I understand was the issue. It was not a question of the involvement of Oireachtas Members, as we are all entitled to take part in photocalls. The idea by Senator Norris to have a bigger photocall was excellent. The issue was about staff support.

Senator Mullen also raised the issue of the survey for transformation of patronage and Senator Jim D'Arcy also referred to this. I commend the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, for rolling out this initiative on transformation of patronage. Let us not forget it was an initiative begun by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin in recognising explicitly the fact that having 93% of primary schools in Catholic ownership and control no longer reflects the reality of a changing population. The last census showed 84% of people declared themselves as Catholic, so clearly there is a disconnection. The Archbishop has recognised this and it is on foot of this the Department of Education and Skills and the Minister, Deputy Quinn, are rolling out a proposal for transformation of patronage which will involve surveying parents in a democratic manner to ensure their school provision requirements are met. As someone very closely involved with a local start-up group for a multidenominational school I know the extent of demand that exists for changing patronage.

Senator Jim D'Arcy also raised the issue of a chapter devoted to Senator Leyden in Mary O'Rourke's book. Senator Norris sought recognition of his own book. If he had devoted an entire chapter to Senator Leyden he would have received the same reference from Senator D'Arcy. There is a lesson for us all in this.

I do not like the title of Senator Norris's book, by the way.

Perhaps I have said enough about colleagues' books.

Senator Reilly raised the very sad news of the 90 jobs lost in a poultry factory in Cavan and the questions about the viability of the sector. The Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, will come to the House on 23 November for a debate on jobs and it is something that should be raised with him then. The agrifood issues might also be raised in a matter on the Adjournment for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney. He has come to the House to discuss agrifood issues previously and we can arrange for him to do so again.

Senator Healy Eames was one of many Senators who expressed condolences to the families of the road traffic victims at the weekend, particularly the Gilmore family. We all share in this. It is an unthinkable, horrific tragedy. It is a good idea to have a debate on road safety. Senator Healy Eames also raised the prospects for an Irish bank deal and the very fast-moving comments made at the weekend. This was also raised by many other colleagues. It is unfortunate if people in the Opposition appeared to show glee at the apparent setback after Chancellor Merkel's original comment at the end of last week.

Appearing to show glee at that setback is misplaced. It is very welcome that we have seen a turnaround since then. The Taoiseach said that he had a very good conversation with Chancellor Merkel on Sunday evening during which she registered a very genuine appreciation of the steps the Irish people are taking to turn around the economic situation and her full support for the efforts we are making to get back to the markets. That support is well expressed in the joint statement - a most unusual joint statement after a European Council meeting - issued after the conversation. The statement makes it clear that the commitments made to Ireland at the end of June stand and this vital work will be taken forward by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, and his colleagues in the European group. The Chancellor was also pleased to put on record her recognition that Ireland is a special case. I noticed gibes and jokes from the other side about that. Senator Higgins rightly pointed out that it is quite positive to be referred to as a special case in this context and we should all welcome it because it certainly signifies ongoing support for the bank deal both sides hope will be concluded. It is also noteworthy that the Taoiseach had an excellent meeting with President Hollande in Paris in which the latter made clear his support for the Irish case. Indeed, it has been made very clear all along that it is also supported by Italy and Spain, so it is an ongoing issue.

Senator Leyden requested that the Tánaiste come to the House to discuss Syria and Lebanon. We had a recent debate with the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Costello, who spoke specifically about that and we can certainly arrange it again. I join Senator Leyden in offering condolences on the death of the former Palestinian ambassador. I did not know about that. I met him and I share the Senator's appreciation of him.

I dealt with the issue raised by Senator Mullen in respect of road safety and ongoing diplomatic efforts to get a deal that refers to legacy debt.

Senator Moran referred to a particular issue in County Louth on which I do not propose to comment. I do not know the issue. The Senator asked for the Minister of Health to come to the House and I can certainly check with the Leader about that. I know the Minister will be in the House tomorrow to deal with the Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill, but I know the Senator wants him to come to the House to discuss the Neary issue and Patient Focus. Again, it might be a suitable matter to raise on the Adjournment.

Senator Norris expressed support for the idea of a larger photo call involving a larger number of Oireachtas Members. A Senators' photo call on a cross-party basis might be a good idea. I do not think there would be any difficulty under the McKenna judgement in respect of having that. I share Senator Norris's view that the problem is likely to be low turnout. We must confront that and develop and generate a debate to ensure the turnout is high on 10 November.

Senator Colm Burke spoke about the national children's hospital. I understand the report of the group chaired by Dr. Frank Dolphin was presented to the Minister for Health on Friday, 8 June and he has been considering it and intends to bring it to Cabinet shortly. I think we all agree on the need to ensure a speedy resolution to the process to build a national children's hospital.

Senator MacSharry raised the issue of the diplomatic efforts about which we spoke and specifically sought a debate in this House. The Minister of State for European Affairs, Deputy Creighton, will attend the House on Thursday after the Order of Business for statements following the European Council meeting and this is the appropriate time in which to raise these issues.

Senator Moloney raised the issue of home helps, which I have dealt with, and the issue of the HSE rule on paramedics, which I agree is of major concern and could lead to some very dangerous situations. When we have a wide-ranging debate on health, it should certainly be raised with the Minister and indeed could be raised directly with him by way of communication.

Senator Noone looked for a debate on the McKenna judgement, which is a good idea.

Senator Cullinane spoke about unsustainable debt levels and the EU deal. These are difficult and complex negotiations which are ongoing but all of us on both sides of the House want to see a deal concluded.

Senator Higgins raised a specific issue relating to students in Athenry. I have sympathy for the situation the students are in where they are experiencing delays in Garda vetting procedures. This issue might be raised by way of a matter on the Adjournment.

Senator Wilson welcomed the JobBridge report, about which we have spoken, and raised the issue of the sale of drugs over the Internet. We may have a debate on that issue. The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy White, was in the House last week and I am sure he would be willing to come back to discuss that issue.

In respect of the agrifood issue, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, will attend the House in the 23 November.

Senator Conway raised the issue of the clock going back, on which, as he knows, the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality has had hearings. We must certainly check progress in respect of that. A change is under contemplation. He also commended the Taoiseach on the choreography of the ongoing diplomatic efforts to ensure a bank deal.

I am conscious that many Members left the House and were not here for the Leader's response. I responded courteously to every single person, regardless of whether they were here or not, but I know the Leader expressed concern to me very recently about the practice of making a statement and leaving the House on the Order of Business. I think he will reinstitute a practice of not responding to colleagues who have left the House before his response.