Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the code of conduct on mortgage arrears. He also raised it on Tuesday and Senator MacSharry raised it in his absence yesterday. Senator Hayden also raised it. I have asked the Minister for Finance to come to the House but I have not yet received a positive response on the issue. The Minister for Finance and the Minister of State at the Department of Finance have come to the House on numerous occasions to discuss banking issues, the insolvency Bill and many others. I will renew my representations to have the Minister come to the House to speak specifically on the code of conduct. I cannot assure the House that I will get him to come to the House today but I will renew my representations in that regard.

Senator Hayden and other Senators raised the closure of St. Patrick's Institution. I commend the Minister on that decision. It is long overdue. There has been report after report on St. Patrick's Institution so it is a good day for the country that the Minister has decided the institution should now close. The development of new facilities at Oberstown will commence and in the interim the transfer of all 17 year olds currently serving a sentence in St. Patrick's Institution to a dedicated unit in Wheatfield Prison will go ahead. The 18 to 20 year old population in the institution will also be transferred to Wheatfield. It is a positive development that action has been taken after the numerous reports calling for the closure of that institution.

I note Senator Barrett's comments about the Anglo Irish Bank tapes. I agree with his comments on the Food Provenance Bill. I understand that Senator Quinn and the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, had discussions prior to the Bill being introduced. It is positive that sponsors of a Bill can discuss matters with a Minister prior to the Bill coming before the House.

Senator Kelly raised the changes that are alleged to have taken place in medical card eligibility. Perhaps the Senator would table an Adjournment motion on the matter so he can get specific facts on it.

Senator Leyden, Senator Cullinane and others referred to the committee on European affairs and the report of the rapporteur, Senator Reilly, on youth unemployment. I join them in commending our colleague, Senator Reilly, on this report. It knits in quite well with the negotiations the Taoiseach had in Berlin yesterday on the youth guarantee and youth unemployment. It is an issue that affects not just our country but all of Europe. A sum of €6 billion has been set aside by the European Union to address it. Some would say a great deal more is required but €6 billion is a large sum. Hopefully it will trickle down and we will see an improvement in our youth unemployment rate in the coming months.

I agree with Senator Paul Coghlan's comments, which he also made yesterday, that we cannot allow banks to ride roughshod over their mortgage holders and customers. As I said previously, I will try to get the Minister for Finance to come to the House to discuss that and the code of conduct on mortgage arrears published by the Central Bank.

I note Senator Norris's strong comments on the Seanad abolition Bill. All Members will have their say. I believe another 16 Senators will speak on it today and there will be another three and a half hours of debate. We allocated almost eight hours for debate on it.

The vote is crucial.

In response to Senator Mullen, we are not prioritising the Seanad Bill over the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill. I have allocated over eight hours for the Second Stage debate on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill. That should be more than ample time for Members to make their contributions. It is more time than we have afforded to all other Bills.

It is not.

When Grattan's Parliament was abolished there were 21 hours of continuous debate.

The Leader without interruption.

It was the last parliament to be abolished.

The Leader and the Cathaoirleach were shocked when they heard what Enda said in opposition.

The Senator has spoken already. The Leader without interruption.

When I am dealing with the Order of Business next week I will put forward the time that will be allocated.

I am sure we will have ample time for Members to vent their feelings next week.

I do not wish to comment on Senator Jimmy Harte's contribution. Obviously, there is a strong difference of opinion between Senators Brian Ó Domhnaill and Jimmy Harte on the closure of schools.

Senator Susan O'Keeffe commented on the Food Provenance Bill and a public consultation report on the lifestyle changes needed to prevent cancer and obesity. The Minister for Health will come before the House in the first week after the summer recess to address the report.

Senator Paschal Mooney spoke about the decline of the bee population in the country and called for a review similar to that which took place in the United Kingdom. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes.

Senators John Whelan, Michael Mullins and Catherine Noone spoke about the revival and regeneration of town centres. I will request the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to come to the House for a debate on all matters relating to that issue.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames referred to the comments of the Ombudsman for Children on the rehabilitation of young people in prisons. I am sure that the Minister for Justice and Equality or the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs will be willing to come to the House to address the issue.

Senator Mary M. White referred to the pre-budget submission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. I am sure we will have many pre-budget submissions from different organisations. I note, in particular, the submission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul which does tremendous work the length and breadth of the country.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan referred to expenditure on election campaigns and referendums and the need for accountability and transparency. Any right-thinking person would agree with him, but there is a need for all organisations to be transparent and accountable in their expenditure in this regard. I will check the position with the Minister.

Senator Michael Comiskey referred to Australia and suggested it might review its working visa programme. He asked for assurances and a campaign in that regard. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill called for a debate on the regulation of the wind energy sector. I will contact the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, who has discussed the matter in the House and I am sure he will be quite willing to do so again.

Senators John Crown and Mark Daly referred to the significant delay in dealing with the Bill to ban cigarette smoking in cars. I will get an update for Senator John Crown and revert to him on the matter.

Senator Darragh O'Brien has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That a one hour debate on how the Central Bank's new code of conduct will protect mortgage holders be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?

Yes.