Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the issue of the health service and spoke about the number of patients on waiting lists, which is a matter of considerable concern to us all. I remind the Senator that during the boom years, under Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats, there were appalling waiting lists and that there was appalling mismanagement of the health system.

That is not true.

There was the establishment of the HSE and the disastrous policy of co-location under a Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Government-----

Waiting lists have doubled under the Government.

-----which included Fianna Fáil's current party leader who was Minister for Health and Children for some of that period.

Waiting lists have doubled during the Deputy Leader's time. That is a fact.

Senator Ivana Bacik to continue, without interruption.

It is difficult to take-----

Take it. Sometimes the truth hurts.

I sat and listened courteously to political charges made by the Senator.

I would rather that the Deputy Leader told the truth. She is misleading the House.

May we have the Deputy Leader reply to the House?

The fact of the matter is that waiting lists have doubled under the Government.

I also remind the Senator of the major reform of the health service being undertaken by the Government, including-----

Universal health care.

-----the ending of the HSE, the two-tier policy of medical care that we have seen for far too long-----

This is fantasy stuff.

-----and the rolling out of the centres of excellence policy which, to be fair, is a policy that is tried and tested.

Where are the primary care centres and the national children's hospital?

With regard to Beaumont Hospital, I understand there is a particular issue to do with the closure of a ward for refurbishment which may have a bearing on the issue.

The Senator proposed an amendment to the Order of Business that we ask the Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar, to come to the House. As the Senator will be aware, yesterday the Leader, on foot of a request from quite a number of Members, asked the Minister to come to the House to discuss nursing services, including maternity services, the HSE and the health service generally. That request has been made. I asked again for the Minister to come today. As other colleagues stated, he is at the Joint Committee on Health and Children today, but I hope we will have a date for him to come to the House for the broad-ranging debate that a number of us, including the Senator. Therefore, I cannot accede to the amendment today.

Senator Michael Mullins has referred to the major challenges the Government has faced in the health service and expressed sympathy to the family of the late Derek Davis. We would all wish to join in expressing sympathy to the family of the late Mr. Davis. There were many moving tributes, particularly by Senator Paschal Mooney, as a former colleague of the late Mr. Davis. I, too, wish to be associated with the tributes paid.

Senator Michael Mullins also congratulated the IRFU on bringing the women's Rugby World Cup to Ireland - to Dublin and Belfast - in 2017. It is a hugely positive development, an opportunity to promote the participation of women in sport and sport in Ireland generally. We all join the Senator in wishing the IRFU success in the preparations for the event.

The Senator also welcomed the mortgage arrears package being developed, about which the Government met yesterday, which will have a number of aspects. The courts, in particular, will be given the power to approve, where appropriate, insolvency deals rejected by banks. I understand the necessary legislation will be in place before the summer recess. Colleagues looked for a debate on it. We will have that debate when the legislation is brought before us. The mortgage-to-rent scheme is also being expanded and the numbers of properties qualifying will be increased, while the valuation level is to be increased. I share Senator Aideen Hayden's view that we should look at valuation levels, particularly in Dublin. I would certainly welcome the extension of that package which will strengthen the role of the Money Advice & Budgeting Service, MABS. We all acknowledge the hugely supportive role MABS has been playing with borrowers in arrears, but I welcome the news that it will be strengthened in providing that support.

On bin charges, Senator Feargal Quinn referred to the concept of making it mandatory to pay by weight. I will certainly make inquiries about the matter. The Senator also referred to safety kits in cars. I am grateful to him for raising the issue because I was not aware that the Road Safety Authority, RSA, was looking for suggestions on what should be included in safety kits in cars. It would be good if we could make suggestions to the RSA in that regard. It is a practical and positive move.

Senator John Kelly sought a debate with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on wind energy and meeting the 2020 renewable targets. I will be happy to seek such a debate.

Senator Denis O'Donovan seconded the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Darragh O'Brien. I have dealt with that issue. The Senator also raised an issue concerning a steering group at the Rotunda Hospital and the lack of midwife representation. I will certainly be happy to write to the Minister for Health about the matter if the Senator supplies me with more information.

I spoke as an invited speaker at the annual North and South midwifery conference of the INMO. I am very happy to work to ensure midwives are adequately represented at all relevant committees.

Senator Cáit Keane expressed her condolences on the death of Mr. Derek Davis. She also referred to SURE, the start-up refunds for entrepreneurs scheme. Like her, I welcome the new scheme announced today by the Ministers, Deputies Richard Bruton and Michael Noonan. It allows entrepreneurs to claim back from the Government up to 41% of their investment in new start-ups. It is a positive scheme which we all hope will be very successful. A new website, www.sure.gov.ie, has been set up, while a marketing campaign, aimed at increasing the level of awareness of the scheme among those considering starting their own businesses, was launched today. It is a positive move to encourage start-ups and entrepreneurship.

Senator Jillian van Turnhout referred to cuts in funding for small community groups. We are all aware that last yeat the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, moved on this issue, on which the Senator is working with Senator Marie Moloney. I recently spoke to the Minister about it and understand he is working to progress it. I share Senator Jillian van Turnout's concern that time is running out and will be happy to ask the Minister to come before the House. It might also be worth tabling a Commencement matter to try to keep the pressure on.

Senator Jillian van Turnout also raised the issue of child sex abuse material online and asked about the timing of the sex offences Bill. I asked the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fances Fitzgerald, about this matter and agree with the Senator. I would love to see the debate on the Bill start in the Seanad, which would be appropriate. I agree with the Senator about the terminology used and changing the term "child pornography" to "child sex abuse material". I will try to find out when the Bill will be published. It is envisaged that it will become law before the end of the year, but I do not know when it is proposed to bring it to the Houses. The Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality engaged in a review of it at the pre-legislative stage.

Senator Aideen Hayden referred to the harrowing accounts given by parents of the tragic deaths of their babies in the Midland Regional Hospital and noted that the Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar, had spent a number of hours listening to them. We all welcome the time and attention he is giving to the matter. The Senator also referred to the legacy of the mishandling of maternity cases and the need for a new national maternity strategy, as well as the need for protection for whistleblowers. We are all aware of the Protected Disclosures Act produced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, which will, at last, supply the necessary protection for whistleblowers whose work has been so important in exposing malpractice in a wide range of areas. The Senator also referred to the mortgage arrears package, a matter we will debate once the Bill is brought before the House in due course.

Senator Paschal Mooney referred to the sad loss of Mr. Derek Davis. As I said, I listened with great pleasure to the Senator's lovely anecdotes and memories of working with him and the RTE producer Mr. Bill O'Donovan who sadly also died. I share in the sending of condolences to their families. On a happier note, I wish Donncha Ó Dúlaing a happy retirement. He has left a rich legacy in broadcasting and I am a fan of his.

Senator Terry Brennan referred to the IRFU hosting the women's Rugby World Cup, an announcement we all welcome.

Senator Mary Ann O'Brien referred to the appalling murders in Sligo of Lord Mountbatten, his grandson and two others.