Senator Darragh O'Brien has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business that we bring the Attorney General to the House to account to it.

Standing Order 56 states the Attorney General may be heard in the Seanad and that there can be no imposition. I am not acceding to the request.

Of course not.

A commission of inquiry is about to be established, for which the terms of reference were under discussion at this morning's Cabinet meeting. It is grossly irresponsible of Fianna Fáil to try to impinge on such an inquiry. It is a desperate attempt to play politics with such a serious issue and I have no intention of acceding to the request.

Fine. I did not expect anything different.

I note Senator John Gilroy's points on the crime figures he mentioned and will endeavour to have the Minister for Justice and Equality come to discuss them with the House.

Senators Jillian van Turnhout and John Crown referred to the Bill on smoking in cars with children. I gave a firm commitment that Report Stage of the Bill would be on the agenda on 2 April and it will be. If the Senators are suggesting it be deferred until next week, I will accede to their request, but I cannot give a commitment that the amendments will be ready. I will certainly table it for next week rather than this week and we will amend the Order of Business tomorrow in order that there will not be a gap.

Senator Jillian van Turnhout also referred to the Children First Bill. It is very near completion and will be brought to the Cabinet for approval to be published before the Houses rise for Easter.

I note Senator David Norris's points on the GAA and negotiations with Sky. It is a matter for the GAA to decide what it wishes to do, but I am sure many would share the Senator's opinion.

Senator Michael Comiskey referred to the allocation of €3 million for various projects in north Leitrim, while Senator Denis O'Donovan seconded the amendment to the Order of Business.

Senator Eamonn Coghlan spoke about Fingal County Council's decision on the question of a directly elected mayor in Dublin. That is a decision for the council. The matter will be referred back to the Minister who has said it may be discussed again after the local elections in May.

Senators Sean D. Barrett, Terry Brennan and Paul Coghlan mentioned the good news that the Government had reduced the travel tax from 10% to 3% and abolished it from yesterday, as announced in the budget. They also welcomed the move by Ryanair to open 20 new routes. This will result in many more tourists being brought to the country which can only benefit from it.

Senator Sean D. Barrett proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That No. 11 be taken before No. 1." This is to allow him to publish his Bill which will be dealt with tomorrow. I have no problem in acceding to his request.

Senator Michael Mullins referred to the need to restore confidence in An Garda Síochána in order that we could get down to discussing the issues of the day, in particular job creation. On Thursday we will have a debate on small and medium-sized enterprises.

I am sure we will have a large attendance to discuss the issue as in recent weeks many have asked for a debate on it.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh called for a debate on GP services. We will certainly ask the Minister to come to the House to discuss the issue. Progress has been made on the provision of primary care centres throughout the country and I am sure the Minister will be willing to come to discuss GP services.

Senator Tom Sheahan referred to the need for vigilance when bringing money to banks and the difficulties with parking. It is certainly a serious matter which should be discussed by the banks and local authorities.

Senator Feargal Quinn raised the question of releasing moneys from personal pension funds. As he rightly pointed out, the Government took a first step on this issue in the budget before Britain decided to take further action. I am sure the Minister will have it under review when the next budget comes up for discussion.

Senator Pat O'Neill referred to the fair fares campaign and the need to address the anomaly whereby students between the ages of 16 and 18 years were charged more for public transport than those aged 18 years with student cards. There is a huge difference in the amount charged. This issue should be addressed and I will certainly bring it to the attention of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Senator Mark Daly referred to the human tissue Bill. I have no news on it and, as he stated, it is unlikely that it will be addressed in this session. Whether it will be addressed before summer, I am not sure, but I do not think there has been significant progress on it.

Senator Paul Coghlan welcomed the announcement of the €1.1 million investment in Killarney House, a matter he has addressed on many occasions.

To answer Senator John Crown, I have given a commitment to deferring the legislation he mentioned. I note his points about children waiting for hearing tests. There is no question that the length of the waiting list is unacceptable.

Senator Jim D'Arcy welcomed the announcement by the Minister of Education and Skills of an allocation of €60,000 for the anti-bullying campaign. It was very successful last year when 105 training sessions were attended by 3,300 parents nationwide. It is a very serious issue and I am glad that the Minister has announced further funding for the campaign.

Senator Michael D'Arcy referred to the difficulties between the HSE and St. Vincent's University Hospital with regard to consultants' pay and contracts and called for the matter to be addressed as a matter of urgency. I am sure the Minister is well aware of it, but I will certainly bring it to his attention.

Senator Rónán Mullen outlined the findings of his own commission of inquiry, which we note, but we will wait for the findings of the other commission of inquiry before having a discussion on the matter.

Senator Martin Conway called for a debate on the ambulance service. I have sought such a debate with the Minister and I am awaiting a response to my request.

Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill referred to the haulage charge in Northern Ireland. I do not accept his comment that the Government has done little or nothing to seek an exemption. That is totally incorrect. The Government has made moves, but legislation was introduced in the House of Commons. The issue was raised at the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly in the past two days.

The MPs from the United Kingdom agreed to ask the relevant Minister to look again at the legislation.

Senator Marc MacSharry raised the issue of 24-7 cardiology services in hospital groups. This is the case at Sligo Regional Hospital. It is also the case at Waterford Regional Hospital. One is unlucky if one has a heart attack in the south east during the weekend as one must be moved to Cork. This has been an ongoing issue and was the case long before the Government took office. It is trying to address the problem with the appointment of additional cardiologists in Waterford. I am sure the case is similar in Sligo. However, the problem will not be solved overnight. It is not a case of gillie, gillie and one has 24-7 cardiology services. The Government is working on the issue.

Senator Ivana Bacik raised the matter of the recording of telephone calls in Garda stations and the commission of inquiry. I understand the Taoiseach has outlined further information on the taping of telephone calls to prisoners. It is another very serious matter which may also have to be addressed by the commission of inquiry, the terms of reference of which will make for interesting reading. Senator Aideen Hayden made similar points.

Senator Darragh O'Brien has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That time be made available today to allow the Attorney General to attend the Seanad, in accordance with Standing Order 56, to answer questions on her management of the taping of telephone calls in Garda stations." Is the amendment being pressed?

Yes, it is.

Under Standing Order 62(3)(b), I request that the division be taken again other than by electronic means.

Senator Sean D. Barrett has proposed an amendment, "That No. 11 be taken before No. 1." The Leader has indicated that he is prepared to accept the amendment. Is the Leader accepting it?

Yes, I am.

Is the amendment agreed to? Agreed. Is the Order of Business, as amended, agreed to?

No.