Senator Jim D'Arcy called for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, to come to the House to debate the results of the UK elections, including in Northern Ireland. He also mentioned the offensive sectarian leaflets distributed by a Sinn Féin candidate during the elections. There is no place for sectarianism in Irish politics, North or South. As the Senator mentioned, the leaflets were totally against republican ideals.

Senator Denis O'Donovan spoke about Irish nurses, who are front-line staff. I understand the recruitment of nurses has recommenced, particularly in specialised areas. We will try to bring the Minister for Health to the House to debate the question of resources in the health service, particularly nurses, non-consultant hospital doctors and consultants. Many posts have been advertised in recent months, but they have not been filled. We are, therefore, very short of nurses, non-consultant hospital doctors and consultants.

Senator John Whelan called for a debate on maternity services, with particular reference to Portlaoise hospital. I will try to organise such a debate.

Senators Feargal Quinn, Gerard P. Craughwell, Michael Mullins and Terry Brennan spoke about sentencing policy and the reduction of charges from murder to manslaughter. Senator Gerard P. Craughwell also spoke about the imposition of fines. I hope the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, will address this issue as a matter of urgency because people are only laughing at the Garda. They are sentenced to a month or two in prison, but they go and return on the same day. In many cases, they pass the cars in which they went to prison, which is absolutely ludicrous. I have asked the Minister to come to the House to speak on six or seven items. She will be here next week to speak about the Legal Services Regulation Bill. She has had a busy time dealing with legislation, but I am sure she will address the issues raised as soon as her diary permits. I will certainly keep the pressure on to bring her to the House to discuss them.

Senator Catherine Noone spoke about the NRA and recent comments made on multi-point tolling. I agree with her that it would be interesting to hear what the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, would have to say. I will certainly request a debate on the issue. Perhaps the Senator might table a Commencement matter if she wants to receive an earlier response.

Senator Mary Ann O'Brien spoke about the Beit collection, the proposed sale of paintings to restore Russborough House and the need for the Beit Foundation and the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to get together on the matter to try to retain these valuable paintings in Ireland. I will certainly bring the matter to the attention of the Minister.

Senator John Kelly spoke about the decline of businesses in small towns. This matter was raised by Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú in the context of the regeneration of rural Ireland and creating partnerships between communities and the Government. The Minister of State, Deputy Ann Phelan, came to the House not so long ago.

We also had the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, here to speak about the Action Plan for Jobs and the emphasis placed on regional job creation. Bringing people home forms part of that process. However, I will try to ensure both the Minister and the Minister of State will come back to the House for further discussions on the matters raised. Notwithstanding the fact that our engagement with the Ministers took place quite recently, I agree that there should be ongoing debate on these matters. Issues affecting rural areas and the future of small towns are of paramount importance to the communities affected and the country as a whole.

Senator Rónán Mullen raised a similar theme in referring to rural transport provision and reminding Bus Éireann of its public service obligations. The State gives the company more than €95 million in subsidies. This issue could be included in the broader debate on issues affecting rural Ireland.

Senator Michael Comiskey supported Senator Paschal Mooney's comments on cardiac services in Sligo.

Senator David Cullinane welcomed the public service pay talks, as did Senator Gerard P. Craughwell. Senator David Cullinane emphasised that it should be staff on low and middle incomes who should benefit from pay increases. For once, I am in agreement with the Senator. It is the Government's intention that the people concerned will be helped in line with what was done in the budget. I am, however, somewhat surprised by the Senator's comments, given that his party considers those earning more than €32,000 to be wealthy. His colleagues voted against taking such persons out of the 41% tax bracket in the budget. People need to realise Sinn Féin considers workers earning more than €32,000 to be wealthy. That message should be made clear.

Senator Lorraine Higgins referred to the quality of work done by carers and called for a debate on the introduction of a graduated scale of payments for them. I will try to organise a debate on the issue with the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton.

I have dealt with Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú's comments on rural areas. Senator Paul Coghlan indicated his support for efforts to regenerate Georgian Dublin, as mentioned by Senator David Norris.

Senator Mary Moran called for a further debate on residential services for people with disabilities. I am delighted to report that on 27 May we will have statements on health services for persons with intellectual disabilities in the presence of the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch.

I thank the Leader.

Senator Terry Brennan welcomed the announcement by a pharmaceutical company of its plans to invest €450 million and create new jobs in Blanchardstown. It is wonderful news for people living in the area. The Senator also raised the issue of sentencing policy.

Senator Aideen Hayden referred to the daft.ie report which showed there had been an increase in rents in Dublin, something of which we all are aware. The Senator requested the Tánaiste to come to the House to discuss an increase in rent allowance payments. She also made an important point about the proposed increase of 20% in the cost of on-campus student accommodation this year, following an increase of 16% last year. She rightly points out that this is a deterrent for young people in rural areas to access third level education. The arrangements between accommodation suppliers and the universities and institutes of technology should be investigated. An additional 20% increase, on top of a 16% rise, is exorbitant and I will ask the Minister for Education and Skills to come to the House to discuss the matter.

In raising the issue of maternity services Senator Colm Burke pointed out that there had been more than 700,000 births between 2003 and 2013 and that only in a minuscule number of cases had things gone wrong.

Senator Michael Mullins spoke about the further major earthquake in Nepal this morning. He complimented the aid agencies, which are working in very difficult circumstances. I will ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, to update the House on the situation in Nepal.