There must be an election in the offing, judging by the conduct of Senator Marc Mac Sharry. It is absolutely despicable that practically everybody on this side of the House who rose to speak has been shouted down. I could not hear what Members were saying, but I am expected to respond to them. This behaviour is appalling and reflects very badly on the House. People watching what is going on will be asking why they did not get rid of the Seanad. They would be right if this is the conduct-----

Does the Leader want to speak up for maternity services?

The Senator is at it again.

The Leader wants the people to be silent.

The Senator wants to be thrown out.

This is a report that tells the people that the HSE West north-west hospital----

The Senator should be thrown out.

The Leader is saying we are despicable for speaking up for the people on a report that the Government is trying to-----

Will Senator Marc Mac Sharry, please, resume his seat?

That is the Leader's problem. What is despicable is the conduct of the Government in not acknowledging the secret plan exposed in the report. The people require an answer to this question. I reject the Government's dismissal and its abuse of and discrimination against the people of the north-west region.

The Senator should resume his seat and show some respect to the House.

The Leader should show some respect to the facts being put before the House. The report requires respect because it has been produced for an agency under the aegis of the Government. The people are entitled to answers.

Will the Senator, please, resume his seat and show some respect to the House?

Some 125 reports - Fianna Fáil must be very proud of this.

We saved a lot of lives by banning smoking in public areas.

Can we, please, hear the Leader, without interruption?

I do not propose to accept the amendment proposed by Senator Marc Mac Sharry. Reports are just that. As Senator Colm Burke mentioned, Fianna Fáil should know a lot about reports from its time in government. When its current leader was Minister for Health, there were 125 reports. they are still gathering dust. Senator Marc MacSharry should know a lot about reports. It would be better to deal more with the facts when speaking in the House.

The Leader does not want to hear the facts.

The Leader to continue, without interruption.

He will not accept an amendment to the Order of Business, as happens in the case of every other debate sought. The previous Government was adjudicated on in 2011 when the people voted against it. Fine Gael is now in government and I ask that we talk about the facts outlined in the report.

Senator Ivana Bacik and several other Members referred to the Guerin report. I compliment Mr. Guerin on his report.

Will Senator Marc Mac Sharry, please, allow the Leader to respond?

He does not want to respond; he wants to give a lecture about what happened in the past. He should be instructed to respond.

I understand the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality has been requested to invite the Secretary General of the Department to appear before it and that he has acceded to that request. That meeting will not take place this week, but I believe it will take place in the near future. This is to be welcomed. It is important and correct that he be called before the committee.

I note Senator Ivana Bacik's points on workers' rights and the right to collective bargaining. I am sure we will have legislation to deal with that issue in the near future.

Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell welcomed members of Monaghan Men's Shed. They certainly have an able advocate in the Senator.

I will accept Senator Sean D. Barrett's amendment to the Order of Business, namely, that the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) (Amendment) Bill 2014 be taken before No. 1. I understand it will be discussed tomorrow. I note the Senator's points about the Green Paper on energy policy which was published yesterday, particularly those about the cost of industrial electricity having increased by over 80% since 2007. As it is imperative that the country remain competitive, this is one area that will have to be examined. Perhaps we might have a debate on the Green Paper in the next month.

Senator John Kelly referred to the rental accommodation scheme and the perceived anomaly in the system. As the Cathaoirleach mentioned, perhaps the Senator might obtain all of the information he desires if he were to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

I note the points of Senator Katherine Zappone about community education, GSOC and the need to improve the requirements of the latter in examining An Garda Síochána. I am sure we will be discussing GSOC in the House in the very near future.

Senator Hilegarde Naughton referred to the direction of the Director of Public Prosecutions regarding people in custody and their right to see a solicitor, if requested. This is a very valid point on which I will certainly seek clarification from the Minister for Justice and Equality.

Senator Jim Walsh referred to the Guerin report and also to medical cards. Quite a number of Members have made points about discretionary medical cards. We will certainly try to have the Minister for Health in the House to discuss the issue. As has been pointed out, the health committee is to visit the centre which dispenses medical cards and I am sure the committee's report will be forthcoming soon.

Senator Terry Brennan referred to payments and grants to regional museums from the regional museums fund. Obviously, the museums in County Louth have benefited, as I am sure have many others throughout the country. The Senator also referred to the Giro d'Italia. Certainly there will be many tourism benefits arising from it in the years ahead. It was a pity about the rain in that we were not able to show off the country in the best possible way.

Senator David Cullinane referred to tendering for bus routes. He stated he had raised the matter on the Adjournment previously. I am not so sure about his point that Waterford city has one of the most lucrative bus routes in the country. He should probably reconsider this. I can advise him that I have not been invited to any meeting in Waterford on the matter in the coming week.

Senator Paul Coghlan referred to the Guerin report and the lessons that had not been learned from the Morris report. I am sure we can discuss that matter when we are debating the issue.

Senators Mary Ann O'Brien, Marie Moloney and Mary White referred to medical cards. I have addressed this matter. Senator Mary White welcomed the appointment of the new Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, whom I am sure we all wish well in her post.

Senator Michael Mullins clarified the position on Portiuncula Hospital and the appointment of two additional obstetricians.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames called for a debate on the Guerin report. She raised other points also.

Senator Colm Burke pointed to the cost of drugs and said it had been reduced significantly for the taxpayer by the Government since it had entered office.

I have dealt with all of the matters that I can. Obviously, there were some points which I could not pick up because of all the noise in the House.

Senators Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, Paschal Mooney, Brian Ó Domhnaill, Susan O'Keeffe, Mary Moran and Martin Conway will be called first tomorrow.

Senator Marc MacSharry has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That a debate with the Minister for Health on the contents of the report which proposes the closure of maternity services in a number of hospitals be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?

Yes.

Senator Sean D. Barrett has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That No. 14 on the Order Paper be taken before No.1." The Leader of the House has indicated that he is prepared to accept the proposed amendment. Is the amendment agreed to? Agreed.