I am somewhat bemused by the debate over the debacle of the nomination of Mr. McNulty to the Seanad by An Taoiseach.

He has not nominated him to the Seanad; he has nominated him to contest the by-election.

The Senator knows what I mean.

They just got in the Labour Party votes, so let us see what happens.

Senator Coghlan, without interruption.

I was fortunate to be one of the Taoiseach's nominees. After a number of months I decided I wanted to join the Fine Gael Party because I believed in our leader, Enda Kenny, I believed we were going through extremely tough times and I believed that the Taoiseach and Fine Gael, in co-operation with the Labour Party, were going to rebuild Ireland and rebuild the economy.

Throughout the lovely fine weather during the summer recess there were positive headlines in the newspapers reporting that unemployment figures had come down as well as bond yields. Even governments are investing in Ireland because it is regarded as a safe haven. The banks are rebuilding and it is reported that the Government will recoup approximately €3.5 billion if AIB goes onto the stock market. I refer to the GNP and GDP figures. Enterprise Ireland is hosting a conference in the RDS today for hundreds of Irish companies that are doing business abroad. There are more Irish companies employing more people in the United States than there are companies from the United States employing people in Ireland.

In my view, there is an emergence of stroke politics, in that the good news is not being publicised and this is providing an opportunity for the Opposition to take the Government's eye off the ball-----

So it is our fault. We should just shut up and say nothing.

Senator Coghlan without interruption.

Yes. In my short experience here, politics is all about pulling strokes, and this is a stroke by the Opposition to try to bring down the Government-----

A frank admission anyway.

It is back to first principles.

Why was this person named and why was he appointed to IMMA only ten days beforehand? Had he not been appointed, I do not think this would have emerged in the media or even in the House today.

That is exactly the point. Welcome to work.

Senator Darragh O'Brien and the majority of Members have spoken about the upcoming Seanad by-election which will take place on 10 October. I met with the Fine Gael candidate, Mr. McNulty, last evening for the first time. I believe he will be an excellent Member of this House if he is elected.

That is not the question.

It is a big one.

It is not the question.

Please, Senator Norris. You have spoken already. The Leader is about to answer the questions that have been raised in the House.

Senator Byrne said, "The man would have been qualified anyway without his nomination to"-----

We are querying the appointment to IMMA.

Allow the Leader to answer the questions on the Order of Business.

With reference to what Senator Byrne said, that is not the opinion of Senator O'Brien or Senator Norris, who want to act as judge and jury with regard to his eligibility.

The Leader, without interruption.

We allow people to speak their minds on this side of the House. We are not sheep.

I have no intention of acting as judge and jury with regard to the man's eligibility. I agree totally with Senator Byrne that I feel he would have been qualified anyway.

Would the Leader agree with me that there should be an investigation under the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act?

The Leader without interruption.

I am not the one who makes decisions in that regard. However, he is a candidate for the by-election on 10 October and the Members of this House and the other House will decide who will be elected. I am sure that we will all abide by the democratic decision.

Does this warrant an investigation under the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act?

Senator Hayden commended the chairman of the banking inquiry for his stewardship to date and called for a debate on the economy. I believe it will be November or December before we can resume a debate on the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill.

Senator Leyden and several other Senators complimented the Naval Service, the gardaí, the Customs Service and all the international agencies involved in the massive drugs seizure off Mizen Head. I join in the compliments to all involved.

Senator Mullins also spoke about the crime linked to drugs, the devastation drugs cause to many communities throughout the country and the need for a more targeted approach in combatting the drugs problem we have.

Senator Barrett spoke about the budget submissions calling for more spending in many areas. There have been many budget submissions but Senator Barrett, like many others, expressed the need for balance and prudence in the framing of any budget.

Senator Mac Conghail complimented the Government on the consultation on the national cultural policy and called for a broad debate on the arts and national cultural institutions. I have asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to come to the House to have such a debate and she is certainly willing to have that debate. Hopefully, we will have her in soon.

Senator Quinn spoke about the HIQA report on defibrillators and called for a debate on that matter. I will ask the Minister for Health to come in for a debate on that matter.

Senators Jim D'Arcy and Diarmuid Wilson raised the question of diesel sludge being dumped in County Louth and other Border counties and asked for the Minister to come in to discuss the matter with us. Senator Wilson rightly pointed out that gangsters are involved in this practice and referred to the intimidation that is taking place. It is taxpayers who are picking up the tab. The supporters of these criminals should realise that it is ordinary people - their own neighbours - who are suffering as a result of this despicable practice.

Senator Wilson asked for the Minister for Education and Skills to come in for a discussion on the progress of the education and training boards. I asked the Minister to come in and I am sure she will accede to that request in due course.

Senator Crown spoke about the persecution of people for religious beliefs in several countries. Iran was mentioned. He spoke about inviting people to the House so that we might have a debate on that matter. Inviting people in would probably be a matter that would be more appropriate for the relevant committee but I will certainly examine it.

Senator Mooney spoke about the use of PPS numbers in respect of Irish Water. The Data Protection Commissioner has examined the level of personal detail Irish Water proposes to seek from householders in the application form. Irish Water will be liaising with the Department of Social Protection to verify that the PPS information provided is correct to ensure that customers are entitled to any allowances being provided. This is necessary for Irish Water to account properly for the allowances that are to be funded by the Exchequer. This will also ensure that there is transparency in the use of public funds. Irish Water is a specified body under section 20 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2014 and is therefore permitted to request PPS numbers to authenticate the identity of a person being provided with an allowance. Irish Water will treat applicants' personal data in accordance with the Data Protection Acts of 1988 and 2003. Irish Water has confirmed to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government that its data protection notice is fully compliant with data protection requirements and that it is in regular contact with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner to ensure that this is the case. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Senator.

Senator Mooney also encouraged the link-ups between post offices and credit unions which have been suggested. I will not comment on stuffing boards before Governments go out of office because I might have to say too much in that regard.

Senator Eamonn Coghlan spoke about the many positive indicators for the economy. I will not repeat what he mentioned in that regard.

I do not propose to accept the amendment to the Order of Business.

On a point of information-----

There is no such thing as a point of information.

On a point of order, will the Leader respond to the questions I put to him?

On a point of order, I put the same question.

I have no control over what the Leader says on the Order of Business or the replies he has given. Senator Darragh O'Brien has moved an amendment to the Order of Business: "That a debate with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to address questions regarding the appointment of Mr. John McNulty to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?

Yes.