On the matter raised by Senator Mullen, one of the strengths of this House is that it represents a broad perspective in society. The matters he raised are matters of public health. I support the calls for a debate in this House on women’s health in particular. The issues the Senator raised specifically relate to women’s health. I am aware from my legal practice that certain clients I acted for would have AIDS or genetic testing done in Northern Ireland rather than in the Republic in order that they would not have to make a disclosure in matters of insurance in the Republic. Even without matters detrimental to women’s health being involved, the reality is that we have a situation, not to put too fine a point on it, where we are dealing with certain aspects of women’s health with an Irish solution to an Irish problem. Certain matters go on in this country because we are not open and transparent around matters of women’s health. I agree there should be a debate in this House on women’s health.

Yesterday’s announcement about the location of the national children’s hospital is welcome.

I realise not everyone in the country is happy about it. There are people who supported the Mater bid and the Coombe bid and so forth, but it is a momentous day. I am reminded of the fact that in 2007 we built almost 98,000 units of housing in the country and many of them are now in ghost estates but we have not built one public hospital in 20 years.

Certain matters were raised by other Senators relating to the children's rights referendum. It is easy to forget this in light of the victory of Barack Obama and perhaps another victory that bears mention, namely, the decision by the people of Maryland in a popular vote to approve same-sex marriages. This is the first time that a state in the United States has voted for that civil right through a popular vote as opposed to the public Legislature. We face a vote this Saturday relating to the children of Ireland. It is important that the message goes forward from this House that it is not enough to get this over the line. There needs to be an overwhelming popular vote to show the children of Ireland that they matter. We should not be complacent about the result.

I agree with the comments of the previous speakers in respect of the referendum on Saturday and the need to send a positive message concerning the children of Ireland. I also agree with what Senator Eamonn Coghlan said concerning the final announcement of the national children's hospital. That too was a good day for Irish children. My question runs along the lines of those of my colleagues earlier and it relates to children not yet born. I wish to pose some questions in this regard. Will the Leader advert to the state of national outcry or outrage if pro-life groups in the country were alleged to be giving possible life-threatening information to Irish women? What would the situation be in the Irish media if pro-life groups were alleged to be offering illegal information to Irish women? What would the response be in the House and in the media in general if pro-life groups were instructing Irish women to falsify their medical records? Rightly, there would be a national outcry. I am disturbed at the lack of media response to the recent allegations about possible illegal activities by the Irish Family Planning Association and other family planning clinics. It is important.

Once again the Senator is referring to a specific organisation. To be fair, other Senators have been careful about making a general comment. The newspaper reports concern allegations in general.

The Senator's interjection is unwarranted. By and large, Senator Bradford is a very responsible Member.

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach but I respect the Senator's right to intervene. I hope she is equally concerned. I am sure she is as concerned as I am about the outrageous allegations we have read about. I want to have the Minister in the House at the earliest possible stage to give an initial response but I hope we will support the call for a full inquiry. Frankly, I am not interested in the HSE being the investigator. I want to see the HSE investigated. I want the HSE brought before the Oireachtas committee. I want the Irish Family Planning Association and other clinics before the Oireachtas committee to answer questions. I want the members of that committee to listen to the transcripts and to view the available evidence because we cannot run away from this possible national scandal. If the boot were on the other foot, to use that phrase, there would be a much greater public and media outcry.

I support Senator Mullen and all the others Senators, including Senator Bradford, with regard to their call for the Minister to come to the House, but I am unsure whether it is the Minister for Health we want. I believe it should be the Minister for Justice and Equality. If an activity is illegal, either we make it legal or we obey it. It seems that on this occasion if a State-sponsored and State-funded body is accused of breaking the law, we should have an investigation and the Minister for Justice and Equality should come here and either explain why or whether action is being taken.

There is a need for a debate on tourism, especially with regard to the effort to have The Gathering next year.

I fully support The Gathering because it is a wonderful tourist concept. I was disturbed to hear someone I always regarded with high esteem criticise The Gathering and, in a way, damage it. Instead of showing respect for the Taoiseach he referred to him solely by his surname. It would be worthwhile to debate these activities in the Seanad, although not before we debate the matter raised by Senator Mullen. This House has a responsibility to ask hard questions of the Minister for Health regarding activities that appear to be illegal.

It was announced today that Tea Time Express, a company that has been selling products since 1938, will close next month. That is a shame. The company was affected by Government decisions. Every time we make it more difficult for small companies to survive we make it almost impossible for other companies to create jobs. I refer in particular to the threat that hangs over all companies due to the proposal by the Minister for Social Protection to introduce legislation requiring employers to pay for sick leave. That will be a tax on employment and will damage companies. I would like to see a full debate on that issue.