Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the question of Garda recruitment, as did Senator Conway. I am unsure of the figures, but it may be 150 in the first tranche, a further 150 within three months and so on. I indicated a month ago that we would have news before Christmas, which has turned out to be the situation. I will take on board the matter of reserve gardaí. They have experience, but I cannot say whether they will have first choice. Since an independent process must be gone through, the Minister will not involve himself with it. I am sure that the experience of reserve gardaí will be taken into consideration in the recruitment process.

I understand that the pyrite Bill will be before the Cabinet next week. I hope that it will be published by Christmas so that we might discuss it early in the new session.

Will it be a Seanad Bill?

Hopefully. We will try for that.

I thank the Leader.

The Minister indicated that he would publish it as a Seanad Bill.

The betting (amendment) Bill will be further down the road, well into next year. More than likely, it will be taken before the summer recess. I agree with the Senator's sentiments. While debating the greyhound and horse racing fund yesterday, the House addressed the importance of putting the betting Bill in place. The majority of betting is done online rather than on-course. I sympathise with independent bookmakers, who are suffering more than most.

Regarding the health service plan, I will inquire of the Minister about the amount spent on legal fees. The House recently addressed a number of cases in which the HSE did not accept liability where it should have. Those cases cost a large amount. I will try to get the information for the Senator.

Senator Hayden referred to the report in Forbes magazine, as did several other Senators. Ireland has been voted the best place to do business. This is encouraging for the country and its prospects of an economic upturn. It is all about confidence, and this vote will certainly help.

In terms of the future of the pharma sector, I agree that the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, should attend the House to discuss the Action Plan for Jobs, as requested by a number of Senators. I hope to arrange such a debate for early in the new session

I will tell the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, that the House has agreed on an emergency debate on homelessness before Christmas, but it will depend on her availability during the coming weeks. I will try to arrange that debate.

Senator Barrett referred to the naming of the new Naval Service ship. I am sure that the Minister will welcome all proposals. The Senator has a name in mind.

I am sure the Minister will examine all the possible names for the ship.

The rise in bus fares and the decrease in the number of passengers using public transport were referred to, as well as the need for a competitive tendering process. The Minister for transport, Deputy Varadkar, has started that process for a number of designated routes which he announced recently. There is obviously a need for an increase in such routes. I am sure the Minister will be willing to attend the House early in the new year to discuss that matter.

Senator Clune referred to the standard unemployment rate which is down to 12.5%. There is no question but that this is positive progress, although a lot more remains to be done. I cannot understand why Sinn Féin Members seem to be disappointed when the figures go down, although I know they thrive on people's misery most of the time.

That is wrong. We are just worried about all the people who have to emigrate.

They should be welcoming the 12.5% rate and hoping that it will go down a lot more which it will, please God, in the coming months.

They will not all have to go abroad then.

I agree with Senator Clune that we need a debate focusing on jobs and I will press the Minister, Deputy Bruton, to attend the House for that matter.

Labhair na Seanadóirí Ó Domhnaill, Ó Clochartaigh agus Ó Murchú mar gheall ar an gCoimisinéir Teanga. Is trua liom go bhfuil an coimisinéir ag éirí as a oifig. Tá an Rialtas i bhfábhar na straitéise 20 bliain. There is no question that the Aire Stáit, an Teachta McGinley, is i bhfábhar na straitéise and is committed to implementing it. The Minister of State is committed to implementing that stráteis.

I cannot disagree with Senator Healy Eames that each Department should have a designated person to deal with people in the Irish language. That is a sensible suggestion and I am surprised that such a system is not already in place. We have an excellent Minister for the Gaeltacht who fights hard for that region and the people of the Gaeltacht. He is totally committed to the promotion of the Irish language.

The commissioner is resigning from that post.

The Minister will continue to be so during his period in office.

Ní ionann caint agus gníomh.

Senator Conway mentioned Garda recruitment and complimented gardaí for their activities in Clare.

Senator MacSharry spoke about co-funding, a subject he also raised earlier in the week, and medical card eligibility. We will have a debate on a Bill on the latter subject in early course. I can assure Senator MacSharry that we will be getting our economic sovereignty back, which is a good start. We will continue to build on it in the next few years.

Senator Gilroy referred to a Sinn Féin Deputy's comments on a television programme, but is he surprised? I do not know whether he is or not, but we will have a debate on the Smithwick report.

I understand that ASTI members will be balloting soon and that is a matter for that union. We will await their decision. Senator Colm Burke referred to vacant houses and I will make representations to the Minister on his behalf concerning that subject.

As regards Senator Quinn's point, I will agree to have No. 13 taken before No. 1. I will agree to the amendment.