May I add my voice to that of Senators O'Donnell and van Turnhout regarding the vote last week and the gagging of doctors. It is a clear example of the benefit of having a second Chamber. I do not understand the confusion caused and why the Government is so upset. A second Chamber and Independent Members will examine a matter and rather than having a Whip they will voice their opinions. That makes a great deal of sense.

Today we will deal with a number of Bills such as the National Treasury Management Agency Bill and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland Bill. They are worthwhile so we should have a good debate, criticise them, comment on them and make sure we improve them if we can. When we set up agencies do we check that they work? The Insolvency Service of Ireland was established to see what it could do to help 54,000 mortgages in arrears but it has only written-off 27 personal mortgages in the past year.

It seems that when we set up an agency or organisation to achieve something, we want to follow through and see to it that it is unable to achieve more than it has set out to do. Some 54,000 mortgages are in arrears and only 27 people have had mortgages written off. This is probably due to something we can improve when we criticise legislation passed by the House.

It is important to clarify what happened in the vote last week. I respect the democratic decision taken, but it is important to realise what was published was a draft contract. What was published was not written in stone.

The Senator should speak the truth. We heard him on radio.

I did not interrupt the Senator. The IMO would not enter into negotiations because it was awaiting the outcome of High Court proceedings with the Competition Authority. The proceedings have been resolved and there are ongoing discussions with the Department. I do not like to be accused of voting for a gagging clause. I did not vote for such a clause. The draft contract has not been signed off on and is the subject of discussions between the IMO and the Department of Health. It is important to provide that clarification. Those who voted against the amendment did not vote for a gagging clause. It is important to make that point. I respect those who table amendments and the decision taken.

Today, the Joint Committee on Health and Children published its report on a national strategy for palliative care, end of life care and bereavement. It is an important report. Some 32 people contributed to it and over 42 organisations made written submissions. It is important that it not be left on the shelf but acted on. The issue that needs to be addressed is the waiting time for those who are in hospital and in need of palliative or nursing home care in order that they are not left for a prolonged period as currently occurs. The delay in transferring patients from hospital care to nursing home care costs approximately €196 million per annum. That issue needs to be dealt with. What is set out in the report would be cost neutral and we need to ensure the recommendations made in the report are implemented at an early date. I thank the Chairman, committee members and, in particular, Senator Jillian van Turnhout for their contributions in the preparation of the report.