I support my colleague, Senator Cáit Keane, who highlighted the practice of tabling unrealistic motions and demanding Ministers come to the House at the drop of a hat that are designed more for show than for effect. We have all received numerous representations from a wide range of groups which have had their funding cut in the last while. We all agree that this funding should not have been cut and that it seems a little mean-spirit, given the amount of money being saved compared to the value being achieved. Instead of tabling show-boating motions, Senator John Kelly and I went to see the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, who was not unaware of the concern expressed and the hardship caused. He said he was open to receiving representations not only from Government Members but from all Oireachtas Members. We left the meeting feeling rather confident that in due course there would be a positive outcome on all of the cuts made.

I ask the Leader if will be possible to have a discussion on Seanad reform early in the new term after the recess. We have talked a good deal about Seanad reform which we have achieved to a small degree. Much of it has been internal and not received the attention it deserves from the wider public. I would like us to have a discussion on the loosening the Whip system in the Seanad. The Whip system is the single biggest obstacle that prevents real reform taking place. I have supported measures that I might not ordinarily have supported but not doing so would have automatically meant losing the party Whip. I have spoken several times about this. I have to balance whether it would be worth losing the party Whip on something that might not be a core issue for me if it would remove any influence I have in areas in which I could make a real difference. Mental health is a particular interest of mine. When we return after the recess, perhaps we might schedule a substantial and comprehensive debate on how we could go about reforming the House without having to resort to constitutional or statutory change or even changes to Standing Orders. They are plenty of things we could do ourselves.

I support other colleagues, in particular Senator Cáit Keane who was responsible for setting up the model school for the deaf with Mr. Brian Crean who is currently with the Irish Deaf Society. She was modest in her comments about her involvement. I am encouraged to hear what Senator John Gilroy has had to say was about his meeting with the Minister yesterday; just because Ministers do not drop the work they are doing to come to the House to debate an issue with us does not mean that they are not actively working on it. I have every confidence that advocacy services will be reinstated, as they should be, in the near future.

I mention an issue I have mentioned on numerous occasions, that of roaming charges in the European Union. In recent months we have seen such charges across Europe fall as a consequence of work being done by the European Commission. Only two weeks ago a cap was put on data roaming charges across Europe, which would see the charge for browsing the web while abroad capped at 20 cent per megabyte. That charge is still too high, but it represents serious progress, as the charge has been reduced from approximately 80 cent per megabyte about one year ago. I am disappointed that the telecommunications companies - this should not come as a big surprise - are looking for every loophole possible in the legislation and do not seem keen to embrace, even though they say they are, the pro-consumer, pro-business and pro-tourism moves of the European Union on this front. There are many instances of where people tether - I did not know what this was until I read more about it - or use their mobile phone to allow use of iPads in browsing the Internet, for which they are charged about €5 a day. Without going into the details, it seems that loopholes are being used by the telecommunications companies. I am supportive of the European Commission's continued push in this area to quash roaming fees and ensure a pro-consumer and pro-business regime is fully implemented. That is the intention of the policy and legislation being produced by the European Union.