I hope that, unlike yesterday, my voice will hold out.

Senator Darragh O'Brien referred to student gardaí in Templemore and their inability to obtain family income supplement. As he correctly pointed out, these students are paying tax and the USC. There appears to be a need for joined-up thinking by the Departments of Justice and Equality and Social Protection in this matter. I will bring the Senator's concerns to the attention of the relevant Ministers.

The Fennelly report has not yet been published, but I am sure the House will engage in a debate on it when it does emerge. The Taoiseach has outlined that under the Commissions of Investigation Act, he is constrained in commenting. That is and will remain his position.

Not true.

The Taoiseach can only sack Ministers. He is not in a position to sack anyone else. I am sure we will engage in a debate on the report when it is published.

Senator Ivana Bacik referred to the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and its support for the Government's efforts in Europe. She also welcomed the fact that the unemployment rate had dropped to 10%. The level of unemployment has fallen for 40 consecutive months.

The Senator also requested a debate on policing and welcomed the announcement that 250 additional Garda recruits would be taken on in the coming months. Several other Senators also alluded to this matter. The announcement means that the total number of new Garda recruits in the past 12 months now stands at 550, which is certainly a step in the right direction. I agree with the Senator that on many occasions we have all been quick to condemn the Garda for engaging in certain practices. We should applaud the force for the excellent policing practices for which it has been commended, particularly in the past week or so.

Senator Jillian van Turnhout spoke about specialised mental health services and called for repeal of the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871, which I agree is archaic and Victorian. The Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, will be in the House from 4 p.m. until 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 29 April and a debate will take place on that occasion.

Senator Hildegarde Naughton spoke about the new Garda recruits. She also noted that the recovering economy was allowing us to provide many more opportunities, services and jobs. These are the benefits of a recovering economy.

Senator Marc MacSharry called for a debate on the issue of public service pay. We will have that debate. The Low Pay Commission is being set up to ensure people will be treated favourably. I agree totally with the Senator in respect of those in the squeezed middle, which is why the Minister for Finance made alterations in the last budget to help them. He will continue to do so in the budget to be announced next October.

Senator Denis Landy spoke about the local authority housing programme. Many Members have alluded to the significant grants provided for various local authorities which are to be welcomed by all. The sum of €1.5 billion is sizeable and would provide for the provision of up to 800 houses in my local authority area. It will be welcomed by everyone on a housing list.

Senator Paschal Mooney spoke about the whistleblower's allegations. The Taoiseach wrote to Deputy Mick Wallace asking for details of what he had said, but he did not reply to him.

The Taoiseach met the garda in question in December. He did not need to write to Deputy Mick Wallace.

On the Taoiseach coming into the House to answer that question, the Government is responsible to Dáil Éireann, not Seanad Éireann. I have said this before. It is not something I like saying, but it is a constitutional fact.

Senators Michael Comiskey and Michael D'Arcy welcomed the announcement on milk quotas. It can only be good news for farmers and rural Ireland, in particular. It will lead to the creation of a large number of jobs where they are needed and provide great opportunities for the farming sector.

Senator Terry Leyden referred to the case of Fr. Niall Molloy. I have not read the report and do not wish to comment on it.

Senator Aideen Hayden referred to the need for a debate on the banking sector. She has asked for such a debate on a number of occasions and stated she wants the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, to come to the House for it. I have made several requests, but, as I am sure everyone will agree, the Minister has been elsewhere in Europe on many occasions and only came back from America yesterday. I will renew my representations to have a debate on the banking sector.

I note Senator Cáit Keane's points and call for a debate on the issue of jury service. I am sure the justice committee will also take up the matter.

Senator Lorraine Higgins welcomed the statement of the Garda Commissioner on the intimidation of gardaí and members of the public on social media. I agree that social media outlets have a duty of care to their users and will ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Alex White, to come to the House to debate the matter.

Senator Colm Burke mentioned the allocation of €205 million for more than 2,500 housing units in Cork. I agree with him that appropriate measures should be taken to ensure these units will be delivered on time. I am sure the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and his Department will be pushing the local authorities to ensure this happens.

Senator Colm Burke also raised the matter of the cost of insurance for professionals in the medical sector, a matter he has sought to raise with the Minister for Health on several occasions. I will renew my representations to the Minister on the matter.

Senator Rónán Mullen spoke about the State Claims Agency and the admission of liability. The Minister for Health has commented on this issue and I am sure he is aware of the Senator's comments on the admission of liability which have been broadcast on several occasions in the newspapers and elsewhere.

In addition to speaking about milk quotas, Senator Michael D'Arcy expressed disappointment at the allocation for the provision of housing in his county. Each local authority was asked to bring forward specific building projects up to 2017. As part of that strategy, targets had to be agreed with each local authority in 2015. I am sure the allocation lies somewhere between what a local authority had sought and what it agreed to. The Dublin local authorities will be set housing targets by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government over and above what they proposed to ensure strong delivery where the need is greatest. The combined total up to 2017 for the Dublin local authorities comes to more than €500 million. Approximately 300 separate building proposals are being assessed by the Department and projects will be announced in a number of phases starting in mid-April. Construction work is under way on social housing projects on approximately 33 sites throughout the country. It will continue apace in the next two to three years.

Senator Tom Sheahan mentioned that €62 million had been allocated in housing grants in County Kerry. He also welcomed the funding being put in place for the recruitment of eight new guides at Muckross House, something he had been seeking for quite some time. I am sure it will be welcomed by the people of County Kerry.

Senator Darragh O'Brien welcomed the announcement by EirGrid. The matter was raised on the Order of Business yesterday. It was also raised as a Commencement matter in the House this morning by Senator Denis Landy. Senator Darragh O'Brien might look at what the Minister had to say during that debate.