Senators Paschal Mooney, Ned O'Sullivan, Terry Brennan and others marked the retirement of Mr. David Begg from his position at the head of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, and I wish him well, too. He made a very good speech in this House last year and we all wish him the best in his retirement.

Senator Paschal Mooney raised the question of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, reviewing the leaving certificate programme and asked her to come before the House today to address the subject. I know that she will come before the House next Tuesday to debate the Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, but her schedule is too busy for her to address the matter raised today. There will, however, be an opportunity to do so next week.

As the writs for the by-elections have been moved, there will be by-elections in the areas mentioned, with a Seanad by-election. It is specified by law that by-elections must be held within six months; therefore, there is no question of dragging out the process over a year or two, as the previous Government did. We await the decision of the people.

Regarding water charges, as I said yesterday, with the troika, the previous Government signed off on a €400 flat charge, which would have come into force two years ago. There is no point, therefore, in the Opposition trying to fool the people because they copped on to the last Government eventually.

Senator Susan O'Keeffe and others mentioned the independence referendum in Scotland. We wish the people of Scotland well in their deliberations and hope they will make the right choice for it.

The Senator also mentioned the alleged activities of the special investigation unit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This is a serious matter that must be brought to the Minister's attention. Perhaps the Minister might come before the House to discuss it.

Senators David Norris, Mary White, Jim D'Arcy and Labhrás Ó Murchú, among several others, raised the matter of celebrating the Redmondite tradition and the Irish Parliamentary Party, given that today is the 100th anniversary of Home Rule. The tradition of parliamentary democracy shared by Grattan, Parnell and O'Connell should be celebrated and there is such a celebration taking place today in Woodenbridge. The mausoleum of John Redmond in Wexford is to be opened to the public next year and it is only right that we should celebrate the achievement of Home Rule which was included in the Statute Book. Irish men fought for it and parliamentary democracy for many years.

I listened with interest to Senator Mary White and certainly would not call any of those involved in any of the events mentioned a traitor. I certainly would not call MacNeill a traitor and would be reluctant to call-----

I did not. The wife of Thomas Clarke who was the first person to be executed by the British Government said so in a recording-----

Please allow the Leader to speak, without interruption.

I would be reluctant to call Parnell, Redmond, Pearse, Collins and de Valera traitors either. They all did their best in their own way for their country.

I was quoting Mrs. Thomas Clarke-----

I do not think we should use emotive words.

The woman said it in a recording broadcast on radio the other day.

Please allow the Leader to continue, without interruption.

Senator Hildegarde Naughton inquired about the Forestry Bill. It has reached Report Stage in the other House and is expected to be brought before this House in early October. I also note the Senator's points about the importance of education on diabetes. Perhaps we might invite the Minister to come to the House to discuss the matter.

Senator David Cullinane raised the issue of water charges. We had a long and comprehensive debate on the Water Services Bill and I am sure many of the points the Senator raised came up during that debate.

Senator Aideen Hayden referred to the PRTB rent index and the need for rent certainty for tenants. I agree with the point she made and will ask the relevant Minister to come to the House to discuss the matter. I understand the Government will make an announcement on a comprehensive housing policy in the near future.

Senator Michael Mullins raised the issue of so-called petrol stretching, which involves the mixing of kerosene with petrol. There is a need to curb this new activity which is causing problems for many motorists. I agree with the Senator that a system of inspection is necessary. I will try to ascertain from the Minister responsible what efforts are being made to curb this despicable activity.

Senator Sean D. Barrett referred to the recent OECD report and the importance of defending the 12.5% corporation tax rate. He also stressed the importance of Ireland fully co-operating with the OECD in combating tax fraud. I believe all Members share these sentiments. The Senator also welcomed the appointment of the new American ambassador to Ireland.

Senator John Whelan called on the Minister for Health to publish alleged reports from the HSE and outline Government policy in that regard.

Senator Terry Leyden referred to Roscommon County Hospital. I assure him that all he needs to do is contact the consultants there who will tell him about the many additional facilities which have been provided since the Government took office. Patient safety is of paramount importance at all times and Roscommon County Hospital is a much safer place than it was three years ago.

Senator Paul Coghlan outlined Government policy on water charges and referred to the success of various economic policies.

Senator John Crown complimented the cancer care research conducted in Ireland into radiation oncology and referred to the fact that a paper would be delivered at a plenary session in San Francisco. It is a wonderful achievement which highlights the success of cancer researchers in Ireland who deserve our compliments. The Senator also highlighted the need for more specialists in the field of obstetrics. I am aware that the Government is trying to fill a number of posts. I assure the Senator that Government policy on universal health insurance has not changed.

Senator Martin Conway and others called for a debate on the forthcoming commemorations with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Heather Humphreys. I note that there are two Ministers called Humphreys, both of whom are dealing with commemorations. The Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection, Deputy Kevin Humphreys, was in the House yesterday when he said he would also be dealing with the forthcoming commemorations. I will invite him to come to the House to discuss the decade of commemorations and the 1916 commemorations, in particular. It is important that we have such a discussion. The former Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, was in the House not too long ago to discuss the same subject. We had a comprehensive debate with him at the time, but I agree with those Senators who argue that we should have a discussion with either the new Minister or the Minister of State.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan also referred to the commemoration of the 1916 Rising and the fact that we could celebrate both the 1916 Rising and John Redmond's achievements in the case of Home Rule.

Senator John Gilroy referred to the JobBridge scheme and its success to date. He also spoke about the importance of the scheme and the need to combat any undermining of it. I agree with him on that point and will try to raise the matter with the Minister.

Senator Feargal Quinn asked about the Food Provenance Bill. As he rightly pointed out, the EU measures envisaged were not dealt with in the last session of the European Parliament. I agree that there is a need to expedite matters in that regard, perhaps by way of the Bill proposed by the Senator. The issue needs to be advanced either at home or at EU level.

Senator Jim D'Arcy spoke about the Education and Training Boards, ETBs, and asked that the Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation be invited to the House to give a progress report on them. I will issue such an invitation. I note the Senator's wise words on the importance of expediting matters in Northern Ireland. He asked that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade be invited to the House to update us on developments there.

Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú also referred to the plans for commemorating the 1916 Rising. Respect for all traditions on the island has been paramount in this House at all times. We have done our best to ensure respect is shown to all traditions.

Senator Terry Brennan spoke about the major boost to tourism arising from sports events, including the US colleges football games, the securing of the Curtis Cup and the amateur ladies' and men's championships proposed for Carton House. He referred to the need to further progress sports events to provide an additional boost for tourism.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames spoke about the 150th anniversary of the birth of William Butler Yeats next year. I am glad that the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Michael Ring, delivered good news to Senators Fidelma Healy Eames and Susan O'Keeffe yesterday. I wish the Yeats 2015 steering group and its chairperson, Senator Susan O'Keeffe, well in their efforts in the celebrations next year.