Senator O'Brien mentioned the question of the communion allowance and, as has been pointed out by Senator Kelly, who was a community welfare officer himself, the payment was never a grant per se. People who found themselves in dire need could apply to the local community welfare officer for assistance with clothing costs and so forth and can still do so. Government funding has been streamlined and the amounts allocated will, no doubt, be reduced. While I have no information on the matter of school principals instructing parents on this issue, I think it is very unlikely that any Department would ask school principals to become involved in the way suggested by Senator O'Brien. However, if the Senator has further information, I would certainly be prepared to pursue it.

On the question of the survey on school patronage, I find it difficult to accept that there is no correlation between the PPS numbers and the people who responded to the survey. I find it difficult to accept that this is not checked and that if somebody gives my PPS number but not my name, this would not be discovered. I presume such checks are done and that the PPS number would be checked against the person's name. Otherwise, the survey is flawed and I would accept that.

Senator O'Brien also mentioned that we will have a Private Member's motion from Fianna Fáil on policing next week and I welcome that debate. A number of Senators have commented today on the whole question of policing, the closure of Garda stations and so on. We will have the opportunity to discuss these issues in a two hour debate next week.

Senator Bacik also referred to school patronage, which we debated in this House last May. A total of 12 Members took part in that debate and, if necessary, we can have another debate on the issue some time in the near future. Senator O'Donnell spoke passionately about the sale of the national lottery and Coillte, matters which were also raised by other Senators. May I remind Senator O'Donnell that on 23 May 2012, she tabled a Private Member's motion on the sale of the national lottery. We had a two hour debate and the issue got a good airing at that time. Regarding Coillte, we also had a debate in the House in April last year on the sale of State assets and only 12 Members participated. However, if Members feel we should have a further debate, we can arrange it with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, who was here for the debate last year. Senators sometimes forget that matters have been discussed previously. We cannot keep coming back to the same subjects every few months.

I totally accept Senator Barrett's comments on the need for a properly regulated health insurance sector and that is definitely an issue to which we should return. Senator White raised the issue of policing and made specific reference to the relationship between the PSNI and the Garda Síochána. The two forces now have an excellent relationship, better than at any time in the past. I attended Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe's funeral yesterday and was delighted to see the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Chief Constable of the PSNI, the British ambassador and the Minister for Justice in Northern Ireland in attendance. It showed the solidarity that exists and that is necessary between both police forces on this island.

Hear, hear.

I hope the solidarity that was shown yesterday will continue and that the perpetrators of this dire act will be brought to justice as soon as possible and will, on conviction, serve the appropriate sentence of 40 years.

Senator Moran also mentioned the funeral of Detective Garda Donohoe yesterday and we would all salute the courage and dignity of the Donohoe family and, indeed, the strength of support from the community of Dundalk and of Lordship in particular. That sense of solidarity was mirrored throughout the country. There is a firm belief that we can bring these people to justice. Garda Donohoe's murder has also solidified the strength and sense of purpose of the Garda Síochána. I concur with Senator Leyden's point and also abhor any Member of the other House calling the Garda Síochána, our proud force, corrupt. It is absolutely disgraceful and outrageous, particularly at this point in time. It should not be tolerated. People can get away with these comments sometimes, but not at this particular point in time. We cannot have these types of statements being uttered on television and radio. It is completely irresponsible.

Senator Whelan also spoke about the sale of Coillte and, as I have already said, we will invite the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to the House to deal with that matter. Senator Norris spoke about the motion regarding the Order of Business and Oireachtas committees. I fully agree with Senator Norris and the sentiments of this motion. If Senators look around now they will see that we have more Members than usual here at this point in time. I do not believe Senators should be attending committee meetings during the Order of Business. I propose that we have a discussion on that motion, in Government time, next Tuesday.

I thank the Leader for that.

I firmly agree that this House should take precedence and that the Order of Business, in particular, should take precedence. If committee schedules have to be changed, then so be it.

Senator Keane also spoke about the sale of the national lottery and Coillte, on which I have already commented. Senator Cullinane called for a debate on rural Ireland and I am sure that will form part of the debate on policing scheduled for next week. Senator Hayden raised the matter of the guidelines for mental health and suicide prevention in our schools which were published by the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, and the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Lynch, today. Senator Donovan referred to a debate on policing which has already been scheduled. Senator Kelly spoke about social welfare entitlements and getting people back to work. Senator Mullen also spoke about the school patronage survey and as I have already said, if there is a flaw in that survey, it should be rectified. Senator Noone referred to increased Wi-Fi availability in Dublin, which is certainly a welcome development that also has the potential to advance our tourism product.

Senator Ó Murchú referred to a school in Caherciveen in County Kerry and the young pupils who were involved in charitable work, which is something we should all encourage.

We should all encourage young people to become involved in charitable causes. I fully agree with the Senator's assertion in this regard - the intimidation being carried out by The Jerusalem Post is totally unacceptable. The children and school in question should be praised for their efforts and involvement in charitable causes.

Senator Susan O'Keeffe called for a debate on the beef industry. I will try to arrange such a debate with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in early course. The debate to be held yesterday with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, has been rescheduled and will take place in a couple of weeks.

Senator Feargal Quinn referred to a school where sign language classes may be withdrawn. If the Senator provides me with precise details of the case, I will raise the matter with the Minister. I agree with the sentiments he expressed. He also referred to payments made by Departments to suppliers. It is essential that Departments pay their suppliers on time. I am informed that in the fourth quarter of last year, 98% of payments made by Departments to suppliers, with a total value of €1.25 billion, were made within 15 days. This is a wonderful improvement on the position over the past 12 months and one that should permeate through to local government and Government agencies. I agree with the Deputy that prompt payments are the lifeblood of small and medium-sized enterprises. The Government is living up to its promises in this regard. The news that Departments are now making payments to suppliers within a 15-day period is to be welcomed by all small businesses.

Senator Michael Mullins referred to the need to reassure communities where Garda stations are closing. This and other matters, for example, Garda vehicles, can be raised next week when a Private Members' motion is taken on the issue.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh referred to the use of the Irish language in the House during Seachtain na Gaeilge. I am making arrangements to have the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley, come before the House for a debate as Gaeilge during Seachtain na Gaeilge. A number of Senators can speak fluent Irish. I understand the Seanad was the only House to debate a Bill exclusively as Gaeilge last year. Everyone involved in that debate, including the Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, should be complimented.

I concur with the comments made by Senator Leyden.

Senator Colm Burke referred to the recent public hearings of the Joint Committee on Health and Children and proposed similar public hearings to discuss changes in public policy. This issue could probably be addressed. We have received requests from Ashoka and other organisations to discuss changes in public policy with Members. Perhaps the matter could be addressed soon through the Seanad Public Consultation Committee.

Senator Martin Conway called for a debate on gambling, specifically online gambling. I agree with him on this matter and I am disappointed that legislation to introduce a tax on online gambling has not yet come before the House. The sector continues to get away scot free. I hope the Bill, which is on the list of legislation, will be expedited.

Senator Paul Coghlan called for a corridor along the Border to allow members of the PSNI and Garda Síochána cross the Border and indicated he intended to raise this proposal with the Minister for Justice and Equality. I am sure he will be able to do so during next week's Private Members' motion.