It is nice not to be ignored.

The Senator also referred to the plight of Defence Forces personnel. I am sure all of us, on reading some of the reports from the Defence Forces representative organisations, share his concern. The Minister for Defence, Deputy Simon Coveney, has said he has not received representations on the matter. He will, however, be in the House next Wednesday, at which time these matters can be raised with him.

Senator Denis Landy referred to the national dementia strategy, in respect of which issue on Tuesday last I asked the Leader for a debate and commended the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland for its work. The Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, will be requested to come to the House to update us on the strategy.

Senator Thomas Byrne also referred to the McNulty affair. I have responded on that issue. As I said at the time the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, was in the House, we should have a general debate with her on the different issues to do with the arts. We have considerable expertise in this area in the Seanad, in particular Senator Fiach Mac Conghail. It would be worthwhile, therefore, having such a debate.

Senator Hildegarde Naughton spoke about the Irish Hotels Federation's quarterly barometer survey, which again was a good news story. The Senator noted that there had been a 10% increase in the tourism figures last year and pointed to the success of the 9% VAT rate in this regard. I commend her for raising this important issue less than two weeks out from the budget. Continuation of the reduced VAT rate is one of the key issues we hope to see addressed in the budget, as I am sure everybody in the House agrees.

Senator Michael D'Arcy also spoke about the good news story of the decrease in the unemployment figures and suggested we have a debate on ideas for inclusion in the budget and job creation, a debate which would be well worth having, even after the budget.

We should have a debate on job creation. I noted the really creative ideas, for instance, around apprenticeships. There was good news yesterday when it was reported that Waterford Crystal had for the first time in years taken on new apprentices in the highly skilled glass-blowing sector. It is really positive news for Waterford and the south east to see it recommencing. We might have a useful debate on the issue with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton. We will also have statements on the budget on 14 October and the Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, has promised to come into the House shortly after Halloween for a debate, in which we might focus on job creation with him.

Senator Michael Comiskey raised the issue of farm safety, about which I have spoken.

On the McNulty affair, Senator Eamonn Coghlan pointed out that the Taoiseach had recommended to Fine Gael Members not to vote for Mr. McNulty to respect Mr. McNulty's wishes. The Senator also spoke about the board of the paediatric hospital and the issue of planning of a maternity unit at the same time as an application for planning permission was submitted for the national children's hospital. It is an excellent idea which might be raised as a matter on the Adjournment. I was personally involved in the submission from the Coombe Women's Hospital which looked to have the national children's hospital co-located with the Coombe Women's Hospital. There is a plan to develop the Coombe Women's Hospital which is local to the St. James's Hospital site that was ultimately chosen. It is possible to open a swift corridor between the two sites, which might be something the Senator could pursue directly with the Minister for Health.

Senator John Gilroy pointed out that section 836 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 was an obscure anomaly which appeared to allow Ministers to be exempt from certain charges. I agree with him and commend the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, and the Government for closing this loophole swiftly when it became apparent. Sinn Féin attempted to make political mileage out of the issue, but I agree with the Senator that the term "sickening" is a far more appropriate one to use about that party's actions. That really came home to all of us when we saw Brendan Megraw's body finally discovered 36 years after his disappearance and after his mother had died. Hearing his family speak about the heartbreak they had been through in the past 36 years brought home to all of us what "sickening" really means.