Senator Ned O'Sullivan, acting Leader of the Opposition, spoke about whole-of-life assurance policies. I agree with him in that regard. Carrying out reviews after ten years, particularly when no such indication was given when people took out these policies, is flawed. As the Senator said, there is no refund of moneys paid if a person forfeits after ten, 15 or 20 years. I agree with the Minister for Finance that the matter should be taken up with the Financial Services Ombudsman, but if he cannot solve the problem, legislation should be introduced if necessary because the people concerned took out policies in good faith and find halfway through them or 20 years on that they are costing them an exorbitant amount that they cannot meet. The Senator has certainly raised a very important point and I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister.

Senators Ivana Bacik, Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, Susan O'Keeffe and Hildegarde Naughten spoke about the SAFE Ireland report on domestic violence. As Senator Ivana Bacik mentioned, the report builds on the work of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence. I will certainly try to facilitate a debate on the matter as soon as possible.

Senators Sean D. Barrett and Hildegarde Naughten, among others, spoke about the meningitis B vaccine and the deal struck between the UK Government and GlaxoSmithKline. It has been suggested it will cost in the region of £40 per vaccine to make it available to everyone in the United Kingdom. I am sure the Minister for Health and his Department will try to negotiate a similar agreement with the drugs company as soon as possible.

Senator Sean D. Barrett also noted the findings of the poll which showed that 54% of people were against the acquisition of Aer Lingus by IAG. This matter has been raised on many occasions on the Order of Business and will be the subject of a Commencement matter tomorrow.

Senators Colm Burke and John Whelan spoke about the cost of drugs.

Some of the drug companies suggest 500 jobs may be lost as a result of the reduction in costs. Tough luck for the drug companies. The level of use of generic drugs has increased from 10% to 48%, as mentioned by Senator Colm Burke, but we must work towards reducing the cost further. That is the aim of the Government. In the United Kingdom 80% of drugs used are generic. As the Senator said, we cannot aspire to reaching that figure in a short period of time, but we must see an improvement in the cost of drugs supplied by drug companies to the health system.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh spoke about the Centre for Independent Living and the need to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. We should probably have a debate on this issue in the House. We had a similar debate on it last year.

Senators Feargal Quinn and Catherine Noone discussed the proposed referendum in the United Kingdom on the European Union. It certainly would have severe repercussions for this country if the United Kingdom was to decide to leave the Union. The Taoiseach spoke about his concerns on this matter at a meeting of business interests in Northern Ireland only last week. We are concerned about the matter. At this time, during an election campaign, it would be inadvisable to become involved in the affairs of another country, but it is certainly something to which we should return after the election.

On the updating of our radar capability to track down aeroplanes that may pose a threat to us, I am sure the Defence Forces are considering the matter. I will certainly bring it to the attention of the Minister for Defence, Deputy Simon Coveney.

Senator Hildegarde Naughton also spoke about supporting the use of the new vaccine.

Senator Gerard P. Craughwell has advised us that the teachers' conferences are coming up and that there are votes on taking industrial action by academic staff on the merger of institutes of technology, which is regrettable. We will have a Bill on technological universities brought to the House. It is not likely to be brought before it before the summer, but perhaps we might arrange a debate with the Minister for Education and Skills in order that we can feed into the process. I agree with the Senator's remark that there is a need for a university in the south east. Irrespective of the taking of industrial action, that process will have to continue as it is the only region in the country without a university and has suffered as a result.

We support that fully.

Senator John Whelan spoke about the cost of drugs. He also supported the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on the need to ensure large sports events remained free to air. He called for a debate on energy policy. We had a debate on that issue with the Minister at the beginning of the term. As there have been changes in the meantime in relation to EirGrid, perhaps we might try to get the Minister to come to the House again in the next term to discuss energy policy and the matter the Senator raised concerning EirGrid.

Senators Terry Brennan and Michael Mullins discussed the Tidy Towns competition. Senator Terry Brennan spoke about the need for more judges to combat the problem of early judging, as it was felt some towns might be favoured over others. Senator Michael Mullins raised the question of litter. It is disgraceful to see the amount of litter dumped from people's cars. They go about their business and throw whatever they have out of their cars. This is certainly contributing to the state of the country with the result that some roads are badly littered, but I do not know what we can do about it. Education, penalties and a carrot and stick approach are certainly necessary. I will try to arrange a debate with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport on the matter.

Senator Aideen Hayden spoke about the decision of the Tánaiste's Department not to increase rent supplement and called for a debate on the future of the rent supplement scheme. We had a debate on 11 February on the private rental sector with the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Paudie Coffey, but we will try to have the Tánaiste come to the House to discuss the report on this matter prepared by her Department.

With Senator Paul Bradford, Senator Aideen Hayden also discussed the wind-down of NAMA. Selling off large blocks where individuals have no chance of securing homes is the wrong policy. We will try to have the Minister for Finance come to the House to discuss the matter with us.

Senator Mary Moran lauded the achievements of educational facilities and pupils in Dundalk.

Senator Paul Bradford spoke about economic and political certainty. I thought we had it. The Government has made a commitment to serve its full term to advance the policies that are securing our economic future and recovery. It will serve its full term.

I think the Senator was looking for a date.

Much appreciated.

Senator Michael Mullins mentioned the case of Ibrahim Halawa and the presence of the Irish ambassador in court, which is to be welcomed. The Government is doing everything possible to secure this young man's release.

Senator Jim Walsh spoke about crime. We had the Garda Commissioner at the justice committee last week, at which she gave a comprehensive report on her policing plan. Senators will be aware that there is quite an amount of legislation with which the Minister has been busy in the past few months. As soon as it is out of the way, she is quite willing to come to the House for a debate on crime.

It is now almost 3.30 p.m. and we will proceed in the way indicated by me. I do not think one quarter of an hour will make much difference to anybody.