Senator Marc MacSharry raised the issue of storm damage, particularly in counties in which the damage was not as severe as in others. I agree with him that it is important that this matter be tackled wherever there was storm damage. People were enduring terrible conditions as a result of the damage caused in the severe weather between 13 December and 6 January. The initial estimate of the cost of cleaning up and restoring pubilc infrastructure damaged by the storms nationally is €65 million. Almost two thirds of this figure pertains to counties Clare and Galway. As the Senator said, other counties may not have reported the same amount of damage. Clearly, however, there was damage caused elsewhere. I will certainly apprise the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, of the need to ensure the minor works scheme applies wherever damage was caused.

Senator Marc MacSharry also raised the issue of Irish Water, an issue that was raised by the majority of Senators. I remind colleagues that the Leader said yesterday that he had arranged a debate on Irish Water next week. I pointed out yesterday that it would be useful for us to have that debate when we had heard all of the responses from both management of Irish Water and the Minister having appeared before the Committee of Public Accounts and the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht. We are now in possession of more information. The Senator asked a very pertinent question on how many former local authority staff in receipt of lump sums were employed by Irish Water. I have not gone through the transcripts for the meetings yesterday; I have just looked at the reports to see whether the question was asked. One would have expected it to have been asked at the meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts, but I do not see a response in that regard. I do see a response in which management of Irish Water states all those in senior management positions were appointed following an open competition. Irish Water told the Minister this and he accepted it. It is certainly one of the issues that may be raised in the debate in the House next week.

Senator Paul Coghlan raised the issue of the Liebherr plant in Killarney. We all share his concern about the news of difficulties at the plant and sympathise with those whose jobs are uncertain. We all agree with the Senator on the need to ensure a solution is found and his suggestion that the Labour Relations Commission be involved.

Senator Katherine Zappone spoke in appreciation of the moment of silence. I share her view. I find having a moment of silence to be a very good way to start a day in the Legislature. I hope other Houses, including the Dáil, will follow suit. It was a good compromise that we had reached at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to allow for a moment of silence before the prayer to reflect the fact that not everyone here was a practising Christian.

Senator Katherine Zappone also raised the issue of the Immigrant Council of Ireland and referred to its report on racism. I saw the report and agree that it is a matter of real concern to see the rise in the number of reported incidents of racism. It would be good to have the Minister for Justice and Equality present in the House to have a debate on the supports available for victims of racism. I will ask the Leader to arrange such a debate. A particular issue we might all pursue with the Minister is the need to have legislation introduced to provide for aggravated sentencing for crimes motivated by racism which are often referred to as hate crimes. We have seen such legislation enacted in other jurisdictions. It has a powerful deterrent and symbolic effect, as well as a practical effect.

Senator Sean D. Barrett raised the issue of Irish Water and pointed out that, between debates in the Houses and at committees, 30 hours of parliamentary time had been devoted to it. We all agree that it would certainly have been helpful if the relevant information had been furnished in the first instance. There are matters that we still do not know about, but there is more information available following very detailed and forensic questioning at meetings of the Committee of Public Accounts and the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht. The point the Senator made on the role of the Comptroller and Auditor General is one that I am sure will be made to the Minister during next week's debate, including by the Senator in a very eloquent manner. We all like the fact that the Freedom of Information Act will be extended to Irish Water. This is an important and positive development arising from the controversy.

Senator John Kelly welcomed the announcements by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht on turf cutting and the redesignation of bogs, with which we all agree.

Senator Denis O'Donovan referred to Irish Water and mentioned the slightly different issue of fluoridation. Senator David Norris organised a debate on that matter, during which the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, spoke. I am sure it will arise in the House again.

Senator Denis O'Donovan also referred to the debate on rural development, an issue on which the Leader promised to arrange a debate next week with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I will certainly request an extension of speaking time for that debate.

Senator Martin Conway referred to Irish Water and expressed concern about bonuses. We have addressed that issue. The debate will be held next week.

Senator David Norris referred to the plight of single fathers. He raised the issue based on the very tragic circumstances of the case reported in today's newspapers arising from the judgment of Mr. Justice Nicholas Kearns in the High Court on a Dublin maternity hospital's application.

It is an utterly tragic case and none of us knows the full circumstances, but I think everyone will want to join in offering sympathy to the grandmother and the father, in particular, and the family of the young woman and the baby who lost their lives. It is utterly tragic.