Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the question of exceptional needs payments. I am surprised such payments have been withdrawn for First Holy Communion, Confirmation and other religious ceremonies. It is a matter I will raise with the Minister.

In regard to the directive from the Department of Justice and Equality to the Courts Service on burglaries, I will certainly raise the matter with the Minister for Justice and Equality.

I would find it difficult that the Department would interfere in any way with the Courts Service, but I will raise the matter with the Minister.

Senator Aideen Hayden mentioned the plight of people in rented accommodation. We will have statements on the private rented sector in the House tomorrow. The Minister of State with responsibility for housing, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, will be present and the Senator can raise the issue then.

The Senator, with many others, raised the issue of the Magdalen laundries. The report is 900 pages long and will need to be digested by all Members. We should let a short time elapse before we have an informed debate, but I assure the House that I will arrange a debate on the report in early course. Senator Jillian van Turnhout referred to the need for justice to be seen to be done and we will debate the matter soon. I note her comments on Older and Bolder which will cease its work later in the year. Like her, I commend its administrators for the work they did on behalf of older people and the part they played in the House's public consultation some time ago on issues relating to elderly people.

Senator David Norris raised a number of issues. With regard to Ministers' trying to make representations on behalf of constituents and trying to jump people up, Members of this House and indeed the other House lobby on behalf of constituents, organisations and communities on the Order of Business practically every day and Adjournment matters are tabled and debated every day in which Members lobby on behalf of constituents.

That is not the same as using public money when they are Ministers and attempting to justify it in a brazen way.

It is going on since Adam was a boy and probably will continue to go on.

It is a damnable practice that should be stopped.

The Leader to continue, without interruption.

Senator Colm Burke referred to the storage of Guthrie cards in Temple Street Hospital and the necessity of retaining this information. This issue was also raised by Senator John Crown and others previously. I will find out the position in this regard.

Senators Denis O'Donovan, Marie Moloney and several others referred to the crisis in the beef industry. The investigation is focusing on the food supply chain, including the meat trader concerned and others who facilitated the purchase of this product and its transfer to users in Ireland. Every step will be taken by the Government to protect the beef industry and restore confidence. It is important for the economy that confidence is restored and I assure Members that every step will be taken to ensure the rogue traders involved in this debacle will be brought to justice soon.

I note the valid points raised by Senator Marc MacSharry on the same issue. I worked in a port for more than 20 years and I am aware of the regulations the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine oversees in both ports and factories in the context of the beef industry. Horsemeat is not illegal in Ireland or other EU member states, but describing it as beef is certainly an offence.

Senators John Whelan and John Kelly called for a debate on wind energy and wind farms. I spoke to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources last week. I have not arranged a date with him yet, but I will try to get a date to have him in the House soon to discuss the matter.

Senator Katherine Zappone highlighted the plight of cystic fibrosis sufferers while Ms Orla Tinsley was present in the Visitors Gallery. I commend Ms Tinsley for her efforts in highlighting their plight. Like other Members, it is welcome that the new drug will be made available to CF sufferers. It is estimated that between 113 and 120 patients could benefit from this drug at a cost of between €25 million and €28 million.

It is very important that these drugs are made available to help the people concerned live a meaningful life. We all commend the Minister for ensuring they will be made available to cystic fibrosis sufferers.

Senator Paul Coghlan raised the issue of Derrynane House. It is welcome that it will remain open during the periods mentioned. The Senator seems to be the tourism ambassador for County Kerry in this House. Every time some house is mentioned, be it Muckross House or Derrynane House, he seems to be on his feet.

It is the tourist capital.

Senator Sean D. Barrett made important points about teacher training. I noted the points made and will bring them to the attention of the Minister.

Senator David Cullinane mentioned the importance of the food sector to the economy and our strong regulation and traceability standards. It was because of our strong regulation and traceability standards that we discovered the problem of the traces of horsemeat in burgers in the factories involved. Senator Lorraine Higgins also mentioned the problems related to the beef crisis and horsemeat in burgers.

Senator Martin Conway mentioned the Magdalen laundries. We will have a debate on that issue in a couple of weeks.

Senator Mark Daly called for a further debate on the local property tax. We had a comprehensive debate on this matter and practically had a debate on it on the Order of Business when Senator Darragh O'Brien raised it a couple of weeks ago. With regard to the assessment system, the local property tax will operate on the basis of self-assessment and self-declaration by liable persons. The Revenue Commissioners will have responsibility for administration, collection, enforcement and all other aspects of the matter and the normal Revenue enforcement and collection procedures will apply. With regard to the valuing of property, liable persons will self-assess the market value of the property and when the Revenue guidance on valuing a property is followed, property evaluations will not be challenged by the Revenue Commissioners. The initial valuation will be valid up to and including 2016.

Senator John Kelly raised the issue of wind energy. I hope we will have the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, in the House in a couple of weeks time to discuss this matter.

Senator Michael Mullins called for a debate on Irish aid. We have contacted the Minister of State, Deputy Joe Costello, who has agreed to come to the House to discuss the issue. We have not yet agreed a date, but the debate will probably take place towards the end of February.

Senator Mary Ann Moran asked about the report on symphysiotomy. I will try to find out from the Minister for Health when it will be published.

Senator Cáit Keane mentioned the conference on sustainable energy to be held on 21 and 22 February. This important conference will be attended by representatives from all over Europe, most of whom will be MEPs.

Senator Terry Brennan raised the issue of access for insurers to penalty point records. He is concerned about the implications for drivers. We will ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, to come to the House to clarify the matter.

Senator Eamonn Coghlan raised the issue of funding for Crumlin hospital. I will try to obtain the information the Senator requires on the matter.

I share the frustration of Senator Feargal Quinn with regard to the Construction Contracts Bill and the Human Body Organs and Human Tissue Bill which deals with organ donation and the issue of presumed consent. It is frustrating that these Bills have been introduced and passed through this House. It is 1,000 days since the Construction Contracts Bill was introduced.

I do not know what is holding it up. We have been told that it may be the Office of the Attorney General. I will find out the exact position on the Bills and get back to the Senator on the matter in a couple of days.