I begin by agreeing with Senator Darragh O'Brien's comments on the quorum.

That is a good way to end the week.

Senator Paul Coghlan also supported him in his comments. It is unacceptable that we would be waiting ten minutes, or 11 minutes this morning, to start the business of the House because not enough Senators are present at the start of the business. When the bell rings, Senators should be coming to the Chamber for the Order of Business - there is no doubt about that.

Senator Cummins did bring proposals to the CPP to try to change the start time of the Order of Business to reflect the Dáil start time of 12 noon. This would facilitate Members who are often engaged in committee business, which is scheduled around the Dáil sittings. Those changes were agreed in principle at the CPP but a further CPP meeting needs to take place to agree to implement the change. That may facilitate attendance by more Members. I agree with Senator O'Brien that it is up to all group leaders or Whips to raise this with our own groups in order to ensure Members are in the House in a timely manner. We have a rota in operation in our own group but it is still difficult to get Members to come at 10.30 a.m., or at 2.30 p.m. on a Tuesday.

Senator Darragh O'Brien also asked about home help gratuities and the issue of the payment of gratuities owed. If he could e-mail me the details, I will be happy to write directly to the Minister. I know the Senator has written to the new Minister about this issue and has had no response. The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, is in the House the week after next on the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill but he is also due in the House on 4 November for a general debate on health care. That is probably the more appropriate date to raise the matter with him.

The Senator also raised the issue of Fampyra, the drug for MS patients, which he has raised on a number of previous occasions. I believe all of us would agree it is a huge concern that a drug which appears to have greatly improved quality of life for many people is now on hold, effectively. I am told the HSE received a revised application from Biogen Idec for the drug on Friday, 25 July, and that application is currently being assessed in line with agreed procedures. Although I am aware Senator Darragh O'Brien has been given that answer before, as of 1 October, that is the most up-to-date information I have. Again, if the Senator can send me the details, I will certainly write to the Minister. It is an issue that can be raised with him on 4 November if it has not already been raised. Senator Conway also raised this matter on the Adjournment earlier this week.

Senator Paul Coghlan welcomed the boost for social housing being provided by investment from the European Investment Bank. I believe all of us would agree that is hugely welcome given the housing crisis at present. As Senator Coghlan noted, this is the first time the bank will invest in a programme like this in Ireland, so it is hugely significant and should, when it comes on stream, help to ease the housing crisis.

Senator Zappone called for a debate on the new model of ministerial appointments announced by the Minister, Deputy Howlin, earlier this week, which has received Cabinet approval. I understand the Minister, Deputy Howlin, is going to provide a more detailed proposal in a memorandum to Government next month. We might usefully have him in this House after that on public reforms generally. In fact, I had asked on this issue myself and I know the Leader's office had already, following my request, sought a debate with the Minister, Deputy Howlin, on a revised system of appointments. I am told we hope to secure that debate for November so all the questions can be answered then.

I thank Senator Zappone for putting on record various points about remuneration. I understand very many State boards have no remuneration at all for membership and many people serve on State boards in an entirely voluntary capacity, which also needs to be acknowledged. Of course, semi-States are in a different position. It is a good idea to try to lay out all of that in detail. Senator Zappone also asked about Committee Stage of the Seanad reform Bill and I can certainly make inquiries as to when that is likely to come before us.

I believe we all agree with Senator Barrett that stress tests on the Irish banks should be brought to a speedy conclusion. Senator Barrett also reminded us about the issue of infill in Dublin Bay. We could have a debate on that at some point or it could be tabled as a matter on the Adjournment.

Senator Hayden welcomed the announcement of the European Investment Bank funding. She noted the housing crisis and the increase in waiting lists, particularly in Dublin City Council areas, and that the ESRI and the Nevin institute have today asked for greater investment in social housing. I know Senator Hayden has been seeking a debate on this for some time. She has specifically asked for a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Coffey, on the private rental sector. I will certainly seek that debate and I suggest the Senator might also communicate directly with the Ministers, Deputies Howlin and Noonan, on her proposals for changes in the budget on measures to reduce homelessness through, for example, controlling rent increases and examining housing supplement payments.

Senator Quinn raised a very interesting and creative idea about the use of the postal service to ensure greater supports for elderly people living alone, and I believe we would all like to hear more about that. He also raised the issue of defibrillators and the life-saving help they have provided.

Senator Mullins welcomed the investment by the European Investment Bank. He also asked for a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, on community health care organisations and the restructuring of the health care. The Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, is in the House on 12 November to deal with another aspect of her brief, which is suicide and mental health funding. We can ask her to come in on another date to deal with the issue of community health care reorganisations.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh called for a debate on the nursing profession in light of the very worrying recent increase of €50 in the fee, which has been raised with us by nurses and nursing students. I would be very happy to try to facilitate that debate. It might be part of a broader debate or, if we cannot get a specific debate on it, it is something the Senator can raise with the Minister of State, Deputy Varadkar, when he is in the House on 4 November.

As we know, there have been huge changes to the nursing profession in terms of the professionalisation of nursing. We have an excellent school of nursing in Trinity College, if I can give a small plug to that-----

With respect to the nurses, they deserve a stand-alone debate.

I will certainly seek that but, as we are unlikely to get it before 4 November, the Senator could also raise it on that date with the Minister, Deputy Varadkar.

Senator Whelan raised the issue of wind energy, which he has raised in this House before. He noted the game-changer of yesterday's decision on the nuclear plant proposed for Somerset in England. I would agree with him that has huge implications for Ireland and I am happy to seek a debate with the Minister, Deputy Alex White, broadly on energy and in that context.

Senator Norris called for a full debate on Seanad reform and referred to a particular appointment. I do not intend to get into any discussion on the merits or otherwise of any particular individual. However, I thank Senator Whelan for explaining to me that expressions of interest were sought for appointments to the board of RTE and others, the communications committee scrutinised these, as has been reported, and then, having scrutinised CVs at length, the committee made recommendations to the Minister for him to consider. He has until February 2015 to affirm those appointments or do otherwise. I stress that no appointment has been made.

It is all being done in secret.

It is important that we do not abuse parliamentary privilege by casting aspersions.

Senator Daly welcomed the smoking in cars legislation. He also welcomed the new US ambassador and I am sure we would all join in that welcome. The Senator also referred to quite a number of other issues, including a meeting in Lissadell House - I know nothing about that - and Israel and the Middle East. I do not think he asked for any debate and I am not sure if any question was asked in the course of his contribution.

Senator Brennan referred to the planning regulations and asked for a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Coffey. I know the Minister of State has committed to coming to the House for a debate on planning and the Construction 2020 strategy, which is to take place after the budget. We will follow up on that.

Senator Wilson called for a debate on Seanad reform. Again, I am not sure if the Senator had a question.

I asked when it would take place.

As I said, I will look for a debate on Seanad reform as quite a number of Senators have sought one.

It is much needed and much promised.

I will seek an answer as to when Committee Stage of the Seanad reform Bill is taking place, which was the specific question Senator Zappone asked.

The Taoiseach was very good to meet us once in a year about Seanad reform.

Senator O'Keeffe raised very specific questions in regard to the special investigations unit in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. She welcomed that it had been disbanded but said that questions remained. Again, that could either be raised directly with the Minister or as a matter on the Adjournment. We can seek to have the Minister, Deputy Coveney, come to the House for a debate on the issue, if that is the more appropriate channel for asking those questions.

Senator Mullen proposed an amendment to the Order of Business to ask the Taoiseach to come to the House. I cannot accede to that today. As I said, I will seek to find out when we will have Committee Stage of the Seanad reform Bill that was put forward by Senators Zappone and Quinn in this House. That is the specific question many people had focused on in terms of Seanad reform. It has been over a year since the referendum result, and it was Senator Zappone who noted that anniversary on 3 October. It would certainly be good to hear what has happened in the interim and what is proposed. I would be very happy to push for a debate on Seanad reform broadly but, in particular, to find out when we will have Committee Stage of the Bill.

Senator Mullen asked a specific question about representation from Ireland at a world nutrition conference.

That request would best be taken up directly with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Senator Crown seconded Senator Mullen's motion and referred more generally to Seanad and political reform. As I said, we have sought for the Minister for Public, Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, to come to the House for a general debate on the matter.

Senator MacSharry commented on Irish Water. We are going to try to arrange a debate with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Kelly, on it this term. The Senator also raised particular issues relating to the situation in Sligo and dates of works taking place. That would best be the subject of a direct communication with the Minister or a matter on the Adjournment, given that there are specific issues surrounding specific works.

Senator Walsh also raised the issue of Irish Water and expressed the hope water would stay in public hands. The Taoiseach has confirmed this week that it will remain in public hands. The Senator also called for a debate on the proposed Central Bank controls on lending. We can certainly seek such a debate. Since it is proposed the controls will not take effect until January, there is plenty of time to seek that debate.