It is nice that calm has been restored. I could not hear what Senators were saying because of the noise on both sides of the House. If Members want replies, I must hear what they are saying in the first place.

Senator Darragh O'Brien commended members of the Defence Forces, as did other Members, for their bravery and professionalism. I am glad that we are having the debate at 1 p.m. We all commend the work of the Defence Forces.

On the State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014 and the plight of the deferred members of the pensions scheme, we will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Social Protection.

Senator Ivana Bacik called for a debate on Amnesty International's report on economic, social and cultural rights.

Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell referred to the Central Bank's report and its comment on the loosening of lending standards. That was a gross understatement. As Senator Martin Conway mentioned, it will be difficult to get the Minister for Finance or the Minister of State at the Department of Finance to appear in the House for the next week or so. After the budget we will arrange a debate on banking.

Senator David Norris referred to funding for the Cuba Support Group and the fact that banks were closing its accounts. He mentioned US interference in the matter. I am sure the people involved are bringing the matter to the attention of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister for Finance. The Senator should also do so.

Will the Leader do so also?

If the Senator gives me the full details, I will raise the matter which should be examined.

Senator Martin Conway spoke about the lack of customer service in banks and Irish Water and called for the introduction of a call-back service in Irish Water.

Senator Mark Daly proposed an amendment to the Order of Business to allow us to take No. 11, Immigration Reform for U.S. Citizens Living in Ireland Bill 2014 - First Stage. I will accede to that request.

Senator Aideen Hayden referred to political donations and pointed out that the Government had introduced legislation on the matter. It is reforming the way we do politics. She also called for a debate on lending institutions and banks.

Senator Michael Mullins referred to Palliative Care Week and the need for a debate on perinatal hospital care. The Minister for Health will appear in the House in the coming weeks. Perhaps the matter might be raised then, or we can arrange a specific debate. It is difficult to get Ministers to come to the House one at a time on different issues.

Senator Colm Burke referred to long-term planning, while Senator David Cullinane spoke about Irish Water. Last week I outlined to him that the request for PPS numbers was legitimate under data protection legislation, but I do not know if he was listening.

I did not mention PPS numbers.

The Data Protection Commissioner stated Irish Water was entitled to request PPS numbers under the legislation, as it was related to people receiving allowances. That is why PPS numbers are being requested.

That is not what I asked.

Sinn Féin, as I pointed out previously, already charges for water indirectly in Northern Ireland as part of domestic rates.

We stopped water charges.

That is more of the rubbish talk. There is also a property tax in Northern Ireland. Sinn Féin recently deferred the introduction of a direct charging system for water until 2016. I wonder why. The average domestic rates charge in Northern Ireland is £950 per household, far in excess of the equivalent figure in the South. Sinn Féin's policy of keeping Irish Water but abandoning water charges would add €850 million to the deficit which would have to be bridged by additional taxes.

I have the fully costed alternative budget.

We have not seen the budget-----

I will give the Leader a copy in order that he can learn something.

I am glad that it has been published at last. Perhaps the Senator might tell us from where the €850 million would come.

It is all in it. Perhaps the Leader might arrange a debate, which he has refused to do for the past three years.

The Leader to continue, without interruption.

Senator Michael Mullins referred to the VAT reduction for the hospitality sector and how effective the measures introduced were. It would be laudable to have a debate on the issue.

Senator Terry Leyden referred to the conflict in Syria and the dangers posed by Islamic State. He called for a debate with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, who has indicated that he will be coming to the House in the next couple of weeks.

Senator Hildegarde Naughton referred to the 10% reduction in unemployment in Galway city and county and stated job creation and sustaining jobs was the number one priority of the Government.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames called for a debate on third level education. We have asked the Minister for Education and Skills to come to the Chamber, but I have not yet received a date for the debate.

Senator Denis O'Donovan called for a debate on the banks. The Central Bank's report included a consultation process for its proposals. We will try to have the Minister for Finance come before the House in the coming months.

Senator Tom Sheahan referred to bringing back Irish people and the possibility of people from other European countries coming to the country. Freedom of movement is a major plank of the European treaties. There is not much that can be done in that regard, but the issue is worthy of debate.

Senator Mary White referred to the extension of the BreastCheck programme to women over 64 years of age. I am sure the Minister will do everything possible to extend the programme.

Senator Michael D'Arcy referred to the taxation of cars and mentioned an anomaly in the system. I will bring the matter to the attention of the relevant Minister, probably the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh referred to local development issues. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will appear in the Chamber at the end of the month or in early November to deal with the issues of housing and homelessness, a debate on which has been requested for some time, but it would be another day's work to get him to appear for a debate on the issues mentioned this morning.

Senator Catherine Noone referred to the latest commentary from the ESRI and the positive news contained therein.

Senator Paschal Mooney updated us on the long wave radio transmission by RTE. It is good that representatives of RTE are appearing before the Oireachtas joint committee, which is the proper place in which to raise the issue.

Senator Jim Walsh referred to the bonus culture in Bord Gáis and Uisce Éireann. I am sure we will have a debate with the relevant Minister on that issue.

I agree with the point raised by Senator John Crown.