Senator Darragh O'Brien spoke about the Smithwick tribunal. A number of months ago when the tribunal was extended we had a debate. The motion seeks a two to three-month extension in the tribunal's timeframe to allow the chairman to draft and arrange for the printing of his report. I do not believe having a further debate on that would be beneficial.

Fair enough.

The Senator asked when we are likely to take the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill. We are not quite sure what is happening in the other House. It might be finished today. While I will keep the House advised, at this point I believe we will have the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Bill tomorrow after the Order of Business and we will see what the position is regarding the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill. I give notice to the House that I intend sitting Monday to Friday next week because of the amount of legislation before us and the amount of time we are taking to deal with legislation, which needs proper scrutiny.

Senators Bacik and White, and others spoke about the Parental Leave Bill, on which we had a very good debate. I welcome that the Government has accepted the Bill and the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, confirmed that the Government will bring forward proposals in that regard.

Senator Barrett spoke about the appointment of Mr. Haass as US peace envoy in Northern Ireland. I note his points in that regard and also the point raised yesterday about the Narrow Water bridge the tender for which came in at twice the estimate, which is incredible. Many questions need to be asked in that regard. It is a very worthy project that has been championed by many people including Members of this House.

We would all hope that the project will be commenced but its cost will have to be considered now also.

Senator O'Neill called for a debate on sentencing, parole and bail. I believe proposals in that regard will be coming from the Minister for Justice and Equality, but we will arrange to have a debate in this House when those proposals are brought forward.

Regarding the penalties following inspections by agricultural inspectors, I will ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to come into the House to deal with that matter.

Senator O'Donovan, Senator Ó Domhnaill and others called for a debate on rural Ireland. I will ask the Minister to come into the House. The Government has acted in appointing Pat Spillane as chairman of a committee to deal with rural Ireland and we can ask for a progress report in that regard. On the withdrawal of the bus route, I suggest the most appropriate way to deal with that matter is to raise it on the Adjournment.

Our Adjournment matter was refused.

That Adjournment matter was ruled out of order.

I am sorry. If it is not the responsibility of the Minister, there is very little that can be done about it. I was not aware of that.

Senator Hayden, Senator Harte and others raised the undocumented Irish in the United States. It is an indication of the importance of the issue that the Tánaiste is going to the United States to talk with people in the Republican Party, and others, to push for a solution to the problem of the undocumented Irish. All of us wish him well in his endeavours in the United States on that matter.

Senator Hayden also called for a debate on the Health Service Executive crèche inspection reports. I am sure that would come into the debate on the Sixth Report of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection called for by Senator van Turnhout. We will certainly raise that matter with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald. It is hoped that we can have a debate on that in early course, if possible before the summer recess.

Senator Norris raised the matter of the Constitutional Convention. We will ask the chairman to come into the House and give us a progress report on that matter if he sees fit to do so.

Senator Burke raised a question he has raised on numerous occasions, namely, junior doctors. I am sure he will repeat those points in the health committee when it is reconvened and I would hope a detailed response will be given to the Senator at that meeting.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh raised the question of sovereign debt. In that regard I have the utmost confidence in the Minister, Deputy Noonan, in securing another significant deal in the coming months.

The matter of discretionary medical cards for cancer patients, which has been reported in the newspapers, was raised by a number of Senators. To withdraw discretionary medical cards would be a dreadful step, especially as over 2.1 million people, or 48% of the population, will have a medical card by the end of 2013.

Senator O'Keeffe called for an update on the Grid West project and a progress report on the broadband plan. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, to come into the House after the recess to give us an update on that.

Senator Walsh raised job creation measures. There is much more work to be done in that regard but people might consider that 2,000 jobs per month are being generated. It is a success story, especially as we lost 250,000 jobs in the private sector in the three years prior to this Government taking office. It has started. It is beginning to turn, and let us hope that progress will continue into the future.

Senator Whelan welcomed the Minister for Justice and Equality's announcement of his intention to appoint an independent charities regulator, pointing out that on several occasions in this House Members sought the Minister to appoint such a charities regulator. The House can take a bow in that regard.

Senator Crown raised the question of discretionary medical cards but he also raised the conduct of individual Members' in the House. The majority of Members conduct themselves in an exemplary manner in the House and the Cathaoirleach and the Leas-Chathaoirleach ensure that the decorum in this House is upheld at all times.

On the issue raised by Senator Quinn, we send our condolences to the families of the two people who died by drowning recently. The question of water safety and the need for caution in that regard was raised by the Leas-Chathaoirleach only yesterday. I note Senator Mooney's comments about Irish Water Safety and the excellent work it does throughout the length and breadth of the country in having swimming lessons and so on at this time of the year. It is to be complimented in that regard.

I note also Senator Quinn's point regarding transition year students. Senator Quinn has come up with so many good suggestions we might get him to set the curriculum for transition year.

Senator Mullins called for a progress report on Leader funding. We will ask the Minister, Deputy Hogan, to come into the House in that regard. Regarding moneys not being used, the Minister has diverted funds from Leader areas that have not spent the money allocated to them to people who have passed projects, and he is to be complimented in that regard. I will ask for an update from the Minister.

Senator Daly called for a debate on SI 325. That could be raised on the Adjournment when the Minister can come into the House to respond. The leader of the Opposition raised a question about the ambulance service yesterday in Senator Daly's absence, which was addressed. Postal codes probably will help in regard to the problem of ambulances and other emergency services going to the wrong address. I hope that will be one of the major benefits of the introduction of postal codes.