Like many Members, I join in the congratulations to all those who were successful in the various elections, both local, national and European, and commiserate with the people who lost out, many of whom had given 20 years or 30 years of loyal service to the people they represented. We should think of them today also.

Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the question of an electoral commission. My understanding is that it is included in the programme for Government and should and will be delivered. The point was also raised by Senator Ivana Bacik. I will try to obtain an update for the House on the creation of an electoral commission.

Several Members also raised the issue of discretionary medical cards. The issue has been raised in the House on a number of occasions. I agree that in many instances the communications sent to pensioners and people with long-term illnesses have been less than acceptable. Surely there is something wrong with a system that asks for such information from people in their 80s and 90s who have discretionary medical cards and were reviewed last year. Such persons should not be asked again for information when they were given a medical card valid until 2018. That is the type of thing that is wrong and for which there is no explanation. I do not stand over such practices; it is bureaucracy gone mad. I agree that the matter stops with the Minister who must take action to ensure it does not continue. The Government will respond and the matter will be dealt with in early course.

Too little, too late.

We are after hearing enough of the Senator who has already disrupted the House.

Will Senator Terry Leyden, please, allow the Leader to reply to questions raised on the Order of Business?

You have not heard the last of us.

Is the Senator angling to be thrown out of the House?

I have never been thrown out of this House or the Dáil. I have always said the Leader is the best we have ever had.

There will be no crossfire. Will the Senator, please, allow the Leader to reply?

Senator Darragh O’Brien referred to the multiple sclerosis drug, Fampyra. Any drug that improves the lives of people should be paid for. I will certainly raise the matter with the Minister. A figure of €240 a month is not an extraordinary amount for which to ask if it improves the lives of people significantly.

Senator Ivana Bacik and other Labour Party Senators raised the matter of the resignation of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Eamon Gilmore. Both he and the Labour Party have been very courageous in making collective decisions that have pulled the country back from the brink of economic collapse and put it on the path to recovery. We realise more than anyone else that it is just the path to recovery and that there is much more to do. In the next two years we will prove to the people that we were worthy to be elected and will be worthy for re-election in two years time.

Senator Katherine Zappone referred to the publication of the Government’s implementation plan to tackle homelessness. The plan has many positive aspects. The Minister of State, Deputy Jan O’Sullivan, made a presentation on the issue to the Cabinet today and I have asked for her to attend the House on numerous occasions. Now that the process is complete, I hope she will address the matter in the Seanad soon. I am sure Senators can make suggestions on how the problem can be dealt with. Senators Katherine Zappone and Aideen Hayden also mentioned the need for regulation of the private-rented accommodation sector. That is another matter on which I have asked the Minister of State to address the House.

Some Members always raise the matter of Ministers not attending the House. I can only ask Ministers to attend the House; I cannot compel them to do so. I am doing my best to get the Ministers who have been requested to attend to come here.

Senator Sean D. Barrett lauded the former Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, and referred to the tributes paid to him by the Unionist leader, Mr. Mike Nesbitt, for his work on Anglo-Irish relations, in particular. I also agree with Senator Aideen Hayden that history will be very kind to him.

We will wait and see.

We will wait and see. That is what history is.

It might be a while yet.

Deputy Eamon Gilmore has done so much to restore our reputation abroad which was destroyed by the previous Government, a point Members opposite do not like to hear.

To the victor, the spoils.

I do not think the public sees it like that.

Members opposite should listen to the public more often.

Senator Denis O’Donovan made points about medical cards and boarded-up social housing. A new scheme is in place for local authorities, with €20 million allocated for social housing units to be repaired to provide much-needed housing.

Senator Michael Mullins and Catherine Noone raised the issue of personal attacks on social media against our colleague Senator Lorraine Higgins. Such attacks on any individual are deplorable.

Senator Marie-Louise O’Donnell asked if the Government would listen more to what Senators had to say. I regret the subsequent attack by Senator David Cullinane on her voting record as an Independent.

While I would prefer if she voted with this side of the House on all occasions, she is an independent person and votes according to her conscience, as I am sure she will always do.

Senator John Crown referred to the Garda whistleblowers which, as the Cathaoirleach said, is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and the Senator's representative. The two people in question have appeared before the Committee of Public Accounts.

Senator Paul Coghlan referred to the progress of NAMA in many areas in the interests of the taxpayer. I agree with Senator David Cullinane that the Government has been given a clear message by the public, to which it will respond positively. "Positivity" is not, and never has been, a word in the vocabulary of Sinn Féin which thrives on the misery of others and hopes people would be like that. We will respond positively to what the people are asking us to do. We have two more years and, much to the disappointment of the other side of the House, will deliver in the next two years.

I mentioned Senator Catherine Noone's points when I responded to Senator David Cullinane. She also mentioned social media.

Senator Paul Bradford referred to the debate on the housing crisis and said the response should not be developer-led. I agree with him and have commented on the availability of Ministers.

Senator John Kelly spoke about the disconnect between the Government and the people. For a minute or two I thought he was Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan's election agent, but I note the points he made.

He is generally confused about where he is from one day to another, whether he is a member of the Labour Party or an independent.

I do not know what Senator Terry Leyden was ranting about.

I was not ranting; I do not rant.

The Senator has proposed an amendment.

I object to that remark. I do not rant.

The Senator is only good at interrupting.

Will Senator Terry Leyden, please, allow the Leader to respond?

He was ranting.

The Government should look after the Garda Representative Association.

I do not intend to accept the amendment proposed by the Senator from Roscommon.

Senator Jim Walsh raised the issue of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, a matter the Taoiseach has raised on a number of occasions with the British Government and he will continue to do so.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan said Fianna Fáil was the leading party in local authorities, which it is. While I have congratulated all members who have been elected, it is unlikely that Sinn Féin will take up the Senator's offer in that regard. I am glad that the lift in Charleville is finally under construction.

Senator Feargal Quinn referred to offshore betting. The Gambling Control Bill has proceeded through Committee Stage in the other House and the matter of offshore betting will be dealt with in the Betting (Amendment) Bill. It should be subject to tax. Independent bookmakers are suffering. As Senator Darragh O'Brien has raised this matter on a number of occasions, perhaps we might debate in the House the report on the Gambling Control Bill which has been published by the justice committee.

As I said, I will not accept the amendment proposed to the Order of Business.