Senator Darragh O'Brien and others raised the issue of water shortages in Dublin. The water shortages were caused by unforeseen circumstances and continue to be an inconvenience for householders and businesses. Senator John Whelan, speaking on the same issue, was one of a number of Senators who called for a debate on water infrastructure. The development of the Garryhinch reservoir was also mentioned. We will endeavour to have a debate on the issue of water infrastructure.

Senator Cáit Keane mentioned rainwater harvesting. I will try to get the Minister to come to the House for a debate on the question of water provision. We debated the Irish Water legislation, but I hope we can have a more detailed debate in the coming weeks.

Senator Darragh O'Brien and several other Senators raised the issue of property tax. I understand the Revenue Commissioners will clarify the position in the newspapers and on the airwaves. Yesterday the Minister for Finance clarified that nobody needed to pay property tax before 2014.

Senator Ivana Bacik referred to the proposed referendum on marriage equality. I have not heard the outcome of the Cabinet's deliberations on the matter, but I am sure it will be welcomed when the Cabinet decides on it. There have been a number of recommendations from the Constitutional Convention. The Government and the Parliament will decide whether we will have referendums on these issues and I am sure this will be a matter for discussion in the House in the coming months.

Senator Jillian van Turnhout raised the issue of child exploitation and abuse, especially in the context of the case outlined yesterday. As she mentioned, we had a very comprehensive debate on the EU directive. I will check the progress of legislation on that matter with the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter.

We welcome our colleague, Senator David Norris, back to the House. He mentioned the issues of Seanad reform and property tax, which I have addressed.

Senators Pat O'Neill, David Cullinane, John Whelan, John Kelly and Thomas Byrne, among other Senators, referred to the EirGrid proposals. It is a matter of concern to citizens in many counties who will be affected by the pylons. Many are bringing questions of health, farming and tourism to the attention of all Oireachtas Members. There was an Adjournment debate on the issue with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, a couple of weeks ago, but I will ask him to come to the House to debate it. However, it is entirely a matter for him to decide whether he wishes to come to the House having been here only a fortnight ago for the Adjournment debate. Senator David Cullinane has attended quite a number of meetings in Waterford and County Kilkenny, where he lives. I note his points in that regard.

Senator Denis O'Donovan referred ti the need for plain English in correspondence emanating from the Revenue Commissioners and all Departments. I could not agree more with him on that matter.

Senator Aideen Hayden welcomed the setting up of a service for people in mortgage distress with AIB and called for an expert arm of the MABS to deal with all lenders. We will raise that issue with the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, as I am sure will the Senator.

I say to Senator Katherine Zappone that I am not aware of the Cabinet decision on the referendum on marriage equality, but I am sure the matter will be addressed in the coming days.

Senator Paul Coghlan referred to the independence of the Revenue Commissioners and the prudence of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, in managing capital funding.

Senator Feargal Quinn raised the issue of Russian adoptions. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, has sought advice from the Attorney General and it is possible that retrospective legislation can be brought forward to address the matter, on which I was contacted by the Minister.

We would all welcome a resolution to deal with the situation in which some families find themselves.

Senator Feargal Quinn also referred to the €175 million allocated for start-up companies and mentioned how little progress there had been in the take-up of this funding. Senators have called for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to be invited to the House to address the question of job creation. I hope I will be able to get him to attend in the coming weeks. However, legislation dealing with SMEs will be taken in the House in the next few weeks, which will give Members an opportunity to raise matters with the Minister.

Senators Jimmy Harte and Mary Moran referred to the RTE programme "The Disappeared", which was broadcast last evening. It was an excellent production and our hearts go out to the relatives of those who disappeared. There are many questions to be asked of many people in this regard. Our heartfelt sympathy goes to the families who have had to put up with this dreadful situation for many years.

Senator John Whelan raised the matter of water infrastructure and the Garryhinch reservoir. I have addressed this issue.

Senator Marc MacSharry referred to the funding for professional sport. He mentioned soccer, in particular, and his emphasis was on the FAI. I share his concerns that players are hired on 40 week contracts and must go on the dole for the rest of the year, but I understand the funding for the new international team manager and his assistant will primarily be private rather than Government funding.

Senator John Kelly raised the issue of discretionary medical cards. He should table the issue he raised as an Adjournment matter to receive an exact response from the Minister for Health, but I share his concerns about the withdrawal of medical cards where they should not be withdrawn.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan referred to the deaths of Denis Foley and Noel Davern. We would all like to convey our deepest sympathy to their families. I note the Senator's comments on a tax credit for people who have paid property tax, but I doubt that much attention would be given to it. It would probably not be acted on.

Senator Mary Moran also welcomed the announcement that HIQA would conduct independent inspections of residential homes and services for people with disabilities. Everyone involved will welcome this.

Senator Paschal Mooney called on the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to come to the House to address the issue of job creation and the need for greater balance in creating jobs in the regions. I agree that the vast majority of job announcements have been in Dublin, Dundalk, Cork, Galway and Limerick to a lesser degree and that there is a need for greater emphasis on the regions, but, as Senator Michael Mullins pointed out, there are 34,000 more people at work now compared to this time last year, which is positive. There are other positive aspects to employment issues.

I agree, however, that the question of a regional balance where job creation is concerned should be addressed and debated in the House.

Senator Mary White referred to cuts in maternity benefit. We will have ample time to discuss that issue during the debate on the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill. Three hours have been allocated for the debate on Second Stage and as much time as is needed will be allocated on Committee Stage tomorrow. I am sure the Senator will raise the points she has made today with the Minister when we come to discuss the relevant sections of the Bill.

We all join Senator John Gilroy in emphasising the importance of supporting women in sport, particularly women's soccer teams.

Senator Thomas Byrne referred to the appointment of the Ombudsman and the Information Commissioner. As Senator Fidelma Healy Eames observed, the appointment was discussed by the relevant joint committee, the deliberations of which are available for examination by all Members. I note Senator Thomas Byrne's points on EirGrid.

Senator Cáit Keane spoke about water infrastructure. She pointed out that the infrastructural deficiencies in Dublin had been highlighted as a serious problem in 1997 but that little had happened in the intervening years. I hope we will see progress on the matter in the coming months and years.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames referred to anomalies in the provision of medical cards, whereby the income threshold for a couple aged over 70 years was €900, while the threshold for a single person was €500. The Senator might table an Adjournment motion on that issue which would allow her to discuss it with the relevant Minister.

I note Senator Terry Brennan's advice on the issue of the property tax payment.