Senator Marc MacSharry raised the question of mortgage arrears which we have discussed numerous times in recent months. I agree with him that banks are not doing enough in this regard, as the Governor of the Central Bank has made perfectly clear. More pressure will need to be placed on them, which I understand is being done by the Government and the Central Bank. I do not propose to accept the amendment to the Order of Business, as we have discussed the matter numerous times. It is an issue to which we can revert soon.

Senators Susan O'Keeffe and Deirdre Clune mentioned the draft HSE report.

Unfortunately, it has been leaked to the press. It is most regrettable that leaks occur on subjects as important as this one. I do not know what purpose they serve.

It leaves people's professional reputations impugned.

It is very regrettable.

Senator Susan O'Keeffe also raised the question of requesting the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine to come to the House. As the House knows, the Minister is meeting his fellow Ministers in Brussels. I agree totally with the Senator that the labelling issue which we have discussed in the House needs to be discussed again. We have wonderful traceability in this country, but it needs to be extended throughout Europe. I note the Senator's points and we will try to arrange for the Minister to come to the House as soon as he can do so.

On this day, Ash Wednesday, I note the Senator's points on smoking. I hope we will have a debate on the Seanad public consultation report soon. It is an excellent report and has been recognised as such by all the people involved in it, especially the director of cancer services nationally and quite a number of organisations. It is imperative that we have a debate on it in early course.

I note the point made by Senator David Norris. He has mentioned that gay people are again becoming the punch bag for conservative forces. I can assure him that the Government will certainly be no part of these conservative forces-----

Hear, hear.

Gay people have not been protected in the past and we will certainly do everything to ensure that will not happen.

Senator Colm Burke has referred to the fact that almost 2 million medical cards have been issued to date. There is much good news in the health service, as well as difficulties. The Senator also mentioned the question of the value for money secured in the health service. I will endeavour to arrange for the Minister to come to the House for a debate encompassing many areas. We should have such a debate soon.

Senator Terry Leyden referred to the transatlantic free trade area between the European Union and the USA. I note his points in that regard.

Senator Jimmy Harte referred to the Magdalen laundries in the context of a point made in the other House. I hope to have a debate on the Magdalen laundries next week and the Senator can make the points he raised during that debate.

Senator Rónán Mullen raised the question of the media, the Garda and its relationship with the media and opinion polls, the latter being only a snapshot at a particular point in time. We have had a debate on the media and media standards and perhaps we might have another some time soon.

I note the points made by Senator Paul Coghlan on the banks.

Senator David Cullinane referred to Genzyme, a factory in Waterford, in which there are 500 jobs. The €44 million injection of capital into the company for new machines will copperfasten these 500 jobs and probably create many more. It is down to the ingenuity and productivity of the workforce in Waterford that we have had such investment by Sanofi, one of the major pharmaceutical companies in the world.

I note the Senator's points on the job losses in B&Q and HMV which are most regrettable. We have had a number of debates on job creation, but I will ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, if he can come to the House to discuss job creation in the retail sector.

Senators John Kelly, Deirdre Clune and Cáit Keane raised the matter of wind energy and wind farms. I have asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, to come to the House for such a debate, but I have not yet got a date from him as to when he can do so.

Senator Mark Daly raised the issues of safe food and obesity levels. These matters can be encompassed in the debate we will have on the public consultation report.

Regarding the points the Senator made on Europe, I am sure he will be in the House to make these points later. Ms Phil Prendergast, MEP, will be here after the Order of Business and the Senator can make these points to the former Senator.

Senator Michael Mullins raised the issue of gas heating systems installed by non-registered contractors and referred to the need for the insurance issue to be clarified. We will try to obtain clarification for the Senator on the exact position in that regard.

I note the points made by Senators Catherine Noone and Cáit Keane on the announcement made by the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, on public procurement. The Minister of State might come to the House soon to discuss these changes with us.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan raised the issue of alcohol, including the provision of a measure with spirits sold in off-licences. I agree that that is something that should be encouraged, but as to whether we can do it, we will raise the issue with the Minister for Health and any other Minister dealing with consumer affairs to determine if such an item could be included when spirits are being sold.

Senator Pat O'Neill called for a debate on air transport. I will take up that matter with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar.

Senator Martin Conway raised the issue that one in five employers would not hire people with epilepsy. That is very sad and I agree with him that it is to do with attitudes and people's perceptions of people with disabilities. It is an issue that should be addressed in the House and I will arrange a debate on it.

I do not propose to accept the amendment to the Order of Business.