A range of issues have been raised on the Order of Business this morning. Senator Darragh O'Brien asked me a specific question on whether the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, would be taking the debate on bullying in schools. I am happy to say he will be.

He has a strong record for appearing in person in this House to deal with education debates.

That is his job.

He makes a point of doing so, where possible. This week we also had the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, in the House to deal with the Pathways to Work programme, while the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, was here twice to take the commencement order and then the Protected Disclosures Bill. I am simply reminding my colleagues of this.

There were a few Fine Gael Ministers here, too.

I cannot accept the proposed amendment to the Order of Business. I absolutely accept the importance of the issue and I am conscious that other colleagues have sought debates on budgetary issues on previous occasions. I will ask the Leader again about arranging these debates.

In respect of the 9% VAT rate, an issue several colleagues have raised, there is universal acceptance of the benefit to the hospitality sector from the reduction. It was a specific measure introduced by the Government early in 2011 to encourage job creation in the tourism-related and hospitality sectors. Across all categories targeted by the 9% VAT reduction, I have been informed that it is estimated more than 21,000 jobs were created. That is a different figure from that proffered by Senator Paschal Mooney. Undoubtedly, it has given a great boost to the sector and benefited communities right across Ireland. However, as Senator Deirdre Clune and others pointed out, the Government has committed significant resources - there are some differences in the actual figure - to fund the VAT rate reduction. This has to be balanced with the wider economic agenda of the Government. Of course, the budget is still under preparation and the tax measures, including any change to the VAT rate, will be announced by the Minister for Finance on budget day. Senator Paschal Mooney described it as a pump priming exercise and there is no doubt that it has had a hugely beneficial impact in that regard.

Senator Paul Coghlan referred to the Constitutional Convention which I will be attending this weekend in Malahide. We will be discussing the issue of votes for emigrants, specifically whether Irish citizens resident abroad should have the right to vote in presidential elections in the future. That is certainly something of which I am very supportive, as are many of my colleagues from the university constituencies. We have quite a number of emigrants among our constituents and voters - Irish citizens who are graduates and residing abroad who have a right to vote in Seanad elections.

We will defend that right.

We will defend that right.

Arthur's day was mentioned by a number of colleagues, with Senator Paul Coghlan describing it as a mixed blessing. The key message concerns its safe enjoyment. I know there is an Adjournment matter dealing specifically with Garda costs, in respect of which I understand Diageo is contributing.

What about the medical costs?

I am sure we will get a full answer during the Adjournment debate.

Senator Sean D. Barrett referred to the tight deadline for amendments to the Taxi Regulation Bill. Staff of the Bills Office are extremely hard working and all of us have found them to be most understanding and accommodating when Members have particular difficulties with tight deadlines. I agree that it is unfortunate when deadlines are very tight.

Senator Sean D. Barrett also raised the issue of Roy Hattersley's intervention in the Seanad campaign. I was not aware of that intervention. I agree with the Senator's sentiments in response to Mr. Hattersley. Comparing the House of Lords with Seanad Éireann misses the very particular circumstances of the creation of the Seanad in 1937 and the very particular constitutional framework we have in place, where nobody has an inherited seat, I am happy to say, in this republic. I also believe it is important to emphasise, as the Senator did, the number of amendments made in the Seanad, as well as the number of Private Members' Bills accepted in this House, in order to counter some of the allegations made.

Finally, Senator Sean D. Barrett also referred to Richard Haass and the situation in Northern Ireland. I strongly disagree with the Senator's portrayal of the Taoiseach as partitionist.

What about the three Southern counties in Ulster?

Everyone is working together in order to ensure the continued progress of the peace process in Northern Ireland. It has been really important that there has been cross-party consensus in that regard.

I asked a question about the Council of Europe and the report-----

I am coming to that question. I have not reached the Senator's contribution yet.

Patience, Senator Leyden.

The Deputy Leader used the word "finally".

I used it in the context of Senator Sean D. Barrett's contribution.

Senator Deirdre Clune also raised the issues of Arthur's day and the 9% VAT rate. In respect of the former, she specifically asked for the Government to bring forward the alcohol action strategy, something with which we all agree. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, about it. I know he has been working on it. It is important that we see the strategy being brought forward very quickly. It has been promised for a long time.

Senator Terry Leyden referred to the Council of Europe's report on trafficking. I absolutely agree with his view on the need for a debate on the report. The Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality has recently produced a report on prostitution. In the course of its preparation, the committee heard evidence from senior gardaí on the prosecution of trafficking offences, in respect of which there is a disappointing conviction rate. Evidence from Sweden suggests taking a different approach to prostitution law could have an effect in reducing the incidence of trafficking because, as the Senator said, there is a very strong link between trafficking and prostitution. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, has responded to the Council of Europe's group of experts report on action against trafficking in human beings, pointing out that publication of the report is timely, given that we are in the process of drafting a second national action plan on human trafficking. I agree with the Senator that it would be useful to have the Minister come to the House to speak to us about that report in due course.

Senator Michael Mullins also referred to Arthur's day and expressed support for Senator Deirdre Clune. He also spoke about the need for the motor industry to offer more competitive prices for repairs, given the effect poor car maintenance can have in the context of road fatalities. I agree and suggest it might be an issue which could be raised on the Adjournment.

Senator David Norris raised the issue of the Fine Gael posters on the Seanad referendum. I emphasise that they are not Government posters. I am very happy to write to the general secretary of Fine Gael to request that the posters be withdrawn because-----

Thank you very much.

Well done.

I will do it because the figure of €20 million has been disputed, challenged and contested by the commission.

The general secretary of Fine Gael is not an elected person, is he?

I will make inquiries-----

It is not a saving.

The Senator is right. I agree with him.

Genuinely, I will make inquiries as to who is the appropriate person to write to.

Well done.

I have also publicly expressed reservations about the Labour Party posters. Perhaps the most objectionable aspect of the Fine Gael posters is the slogan "fewer politicians" which undermines the democratic process and people's trust in democracy. That, in some ways, is more serious.

Is having "fewer politicians" an actual undertaking?

Fewer Fine Gael politicians.

Of course, "fewer politicians" is a slogan that cuts across politics generally and does not just apply to the Seanad.

Senator David Norris raised an issue which was dealt with at a meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. Everyone present supported the Senator's view on inviting in an outside group on that date.

Senator John Kelly raised the issue of discretionary medical cards, a matter which has also been raised by the Ombudsman, Ms Emily O'Reilly. The Senator expressed concern about such cards not being granted to people and I am happy to ask the Minister for Social Protection to come to the House to deal with the issue. I know that it is a huge challenge for the HSE to ensure the PCRS budget services those who need it most and reflects the health reform agenda. It is now a particular challenge, with over 250,000 more people eligible for free GP care compared to 2011 when the Government took office. Approximately 43% of the population have access to free GP care. There have been changes to the discretionary medical card process, aimed at reforming the system. When the Government came into power, discretionary medical card applicants were not routinely assessed by medical personnel. The Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, instructed the HSE to establish a clinical panel to assist in the processing of applications for discretionary medical cards, which was an important reforming measure. It is also important to point out that the number of discretionary medical cards has fallen because more than 22,000 discretionary medical card holders now qualify for an ordinary medical card as they meet the income eligibility criteria. There are various factors involved, but I am happy to ask the Minister for Social Protection to come to the House, as she did yesterday, to speak to us about discretionary medical cards. My apologies, I should have said the Minister for Health.

Senator David Cullinane referred ti the Anglo Irish Bank tapes and the Governor of the Central Bank's appearance yesterday before the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform. He referred specifically to the announcement made by the Central Bank that, following its review of the issues arising from the tape recordings from Anglo Irish Bank, it did not intend to make any further report concerning suspected criminal offences to the Garda or the ODCE. We were all very disappointed to hear this. The Governor gave evidence to the Oireachtas committee yesterday to the effect that there was no clear evidence of criminal activity. That is often hard for lay people to understand, but there is a high standard of proof which both the Director of Public Prosecutions and the ODCE must observe when considering these matters. It should also be noted that there are ongoing investigations by the ODCE into Anglo Irish Bank, as well as ongoing criminal investigations. Charges have already been made and trials are pending.

Everyone is disappointed at the slow pace, but the Director of Public Prosecutions and the ODCE are independent of the Government, which is an important principle.

That does not bode well for the banking inquiry. They ran rings around the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Ciarán Lynch.

We debated the nature of the banking inquiry with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, on Tuesday evening.

Senator Martin Conway praised Senator David Norris's appearance on Today FM; I hear it was a very powerful performance. He also commented on the Fine Gael posters and the integrity of politics as a profession. I agree with his sentiments. I have dealt with that issue.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames referred to a specific very tragic case in Galway. As the Cathaoirleach said, it would probably be more appropriate to raise it as an Adjournment matter. If the Senator can give me details, I can write to the Minister for Health to support her point.

Senator Susan O'Keeffe raised the issue of the Fine Gael posters and congratulated the winners of the European Union Contest for Young Scientists, who are from Kinsale. We share her congratulations. It was a great achievement and brilliant to see these young girls winning at European level. The Senator has also asked for a debate on the impact climate change will have on agriculture in the context of Met Éireann research showing, rather depressingly, that our winters will become wetter, even if our summers are becoming warmer. We can certainly ask for that debate to be arranged.

Senator Paschal Mooney spoke again about the VAT rate, an issue about which I have spoken. He also raised the issue of the alcohol action strategy which I have dealt with.

Senator Catherine Noone welcomed the increased number of restaurants awarded Michelin stars, which is very good news. There is an increasing understanding internationally of the importance of high standards in restaurants and food generally in a country in the context of tourism and attracting visitors. A huge number of people go to destination restaurants in very out-of-the-way places. I am thinking of places in the Basque country and Catalonia in Spain where there has been a huge surge of interest because of the number of restaurants which have done very well and become very well known internationally. That is very important.

Senator Diarmuid Wilson spoke directly to Senator Paul Coghlan about the Fine Gael posters. I have already responded on that issue. Senator Diarmuid Wilson also called for a debate on banking with the Minister for Finance in the context of the Anglo Irish Bank tapes. My colleague, Senator Aideen Hayden, has sought a debate on banking on a number of occasions and we can continue to press for such a debate to be arranged.

Senator Jim D'Arcy raised the issue of cigarette smuggling, a matter which has been examined by the justice committee. It might be worth having a focused debate on the loss of revenue, the specific issue raised by the Senator, and the health implications owing to cheap cigarettes flooding the market.

Senator Marc MacSharry called for a debate on the Central Bank with the Minister for Finance. We can seek to have such a debate arranged. The Senator also raised the issue of a media monopoly. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, has been in the House to discuss that issue, but we can ask him to come in again.

Senator Averil Power asked me to contact the Tánaiste to ask him to raise at the Council of Europe the very serious concerns expressed about the new draconian homophobic laws in Russia. I have raised that issue publicly and with the Tánaiste. I will write to him to seek an update. I thank the Senator for increasing the pressure. The Government is raising the issue, as are many other countries represented at the Council of Europe. It is a source of real concern and has a very serious impact, particularly on young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, LGBT, people in Russia.