That was a bit of a marathon. Senators Darragh O'Brien and Feargal Quinn, as well as the last speaker, Senator Jim Walsh, raised the issue of mortgage holders paying at over the top variable rates. There is no question that that is the case. The Statement of Government Priorities 2014 to 2016 recognised that promoting and encouraging competition and new entrants into the banking sector was required to exert downward pressure on interest rates for both new and existing variable rate mortgage holders. The mortgage interest rates independent financial institutions operating in Ireland charge to customers are determined as a result of commercial decisions by the institutions concerned. The Minister for Finance and the Central Bank have no statutory role in the setting of the mortgage rates charged. As the Taoiseach announced last month, the Economic and Monetary Council will meet the main banks in the near future to discuss the issue of mortgage distress and the cost of variable rate mortgages. The improvements in the overall economy include a reduction in the cost of funds, an increasing demand for greater competition between lenders which has led to a reduction in the standard variable rates offered by the majority of banks to new customers and, in the case of AIB, all standard variable rate customers. As part of the Central Bank's work on the issue of mortgage arrears, lenders were asked to consider all avenues to help customers in arrears, including interest rate reductions.

The regulation of interest rates remains a policy issue which is under active review by the Government and has been the subject of correspondence between the Department of Finance and the Central Bank. The Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) Bill will ensure all mortgage holders in the State will have the protection of the code of conduct on mortgage arrears and access to the Office of the Financial Services Ombudsman. The actions already taken by the Government to promote competition in the banking sector, including the establishment of the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, the credit guarantee scheme and the amendment to section 149 of the Consumer Credit Act to encourage new entrants to the financial sector, are all helping the system, but I will ask the Minister for Finance, as I have done previously, to come to the House for a debate on the banking sector. I hope he will accede to that request.

Senators Ivana Bacik and Jim Walsh referred to the school admissions Bill, which is pending. We had a debate on the issue of patronage previously, but we will have ample time when the school admissions Bill is brought forward to have a further debate.

Senator Ivana Bacik welcomed the fact that the State was buying the buildings at 14 to 17 Moore Street for a commemorative centre for members of the 1916 Rising. The issue was raised on several occasions by Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú who said the State should intervene and buy the properties. I am glad that the State has acted.

Senator Feargal Quinn mentioned the Seanad reform group. I believe it is due to report in April. When the report is published, I hope to invite the chairman of the Seanad reform group to come to the House to debate it with him.

Senators Feargal Quinn and Terry Brennan referred to the dumping of litter, an issue that was raised yesterday also. It presents a major problem. Senator Terry Brennan is right - it is up to each and every person to look after his or her own litter and not to litter the roadsides and streets of our cities and towns.

Senator Catherine Noone referred to e-cigarettes, a study in the United Kingdom and the need for regulation here. As she stated, e-cigarettes are not sufficiently long in existence to ascertain their maleffects, if any. I am sure the Minister for Health and the Department are monitoring the position.

Senator Thomas Byrne asked how we were implementing the 1916 Proclamation. I do not know what he is speaking about. I do not know what his rant was, especially on the day of purchase of the buildings at 14 to 17 Moore Street as a national monument.

Senators Lorraine Higgins and Michael Mullins referred to the community employment and Tús schemes and called for a debate with the Minister of State with responsibility for rural issues, Deputy Ann Phelan, on a strategy for rural Ireland. Given the many interesting announcements made in this regard in recent months, I am sure she would be willing to come to the House again to discuss the matter.

Senator David Norris referred to the forthcoming referendums and stated university examinations were clashing with the polling date. I am sure the Ministers for Education and Skills and the Environment, Community and Local Government will take up the matter with the universities. It is important that we have a good turnout for the referendums as the turnout has been disappointing for previous referendums. Young people who are eager to vote in the forthcoming referendums should be given the opportunity to do so.

Senator Tom Sheahan raised the matter of public service recruitment, in particular at Muckross National Park where the number of guides has decreased from 22 to 11. There is a need from the point of view of tourism to increase their number. I am sure the Senator will take up the matter with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Senator Terry Leyden referred to the intoxicating liquor Bill and raised the issue of opening on Good Friday. That is a matter which will be incorporated in a Bill which will be brought before the House by the end of the year but certainly not before Good Friday. I am glad that the Senator is coming around to the idea and has done a complete U-turn on it-----

I am adjusting.

-----having been totally opposed to it. Now he is in favour of it, which we welcome.

It is called pragmatism.

On the futility of consistency, I thought that was the motto of the Fianna Fáil Party.

It might as well be.