I also point out to Senators Diarmuid Wilson and Brian Ó Domhnaill who both raised the issue that it is not the Government that is promoting marriage equality but all of the major political parties, including Fianna Fáil, that are supportive of it and actively campaigning, including in my area, in support of the referendum. It is important to say it is not something that is owned by the Government. It is a referendum of the people that is being supported by parties across the Government and Opposition divide.

Senator Rónán Mullen referred to the issue of funding. I have dealt with it. He also referred to Atlantic Philanthropies. I highlight the large amount of funding it has provided for the university sector, of which most people will be conscious. I profoundly disagree with the Senator's comments on the referendum, just as I disagreed with his comments when he opposed the civil partnership legislation in this House under the previous Government. He also raised the issue of teaching in schools if the marriage equality referendum was passed. I refer him to the comments of the chairman of the Referendum Commission, Mr. Justice Kevin Cross, on Newstalk on Wednesday. He said that if the referendum was passed, a school would still be able to teach in accordance with a religious doctrine in terms of marriage, just as it can teach that marriage is for life and that even if people seek a civil divorce, it is not recognised by the church. The divorce referendum result did not change the status of teaching on marriage in religious schools.

Senator Kathryn Reilly referred to the health service and raised an important point about the nature and type of debate in which we engaged with the Minister for Health. We used to have debates during which there were questions to the Minister. I will speak to the Leader about trying to ensure better interaction between Senators and Ministers. There was a concern when we used a question and answer format that we did not have enough time to speak, but I will consider how we can improve matters.

Senator Thomas Byrne referred to the mortgage arrears package. I have dealt with that issue. We will debate comments made by any Minister on previous legislation when we debate the new legislation which will be brought to the House as part of the package agreed to by the Government.

Senator James Heffernan referred to the earthquake in Nepal. The Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock, announced on 27 April that, following the first tragic earthquake, €1 million would be made available in humanitarian aid through the Irish Aid programme. The money has been made available and I have an up-to-date statement on the matter. Some 63 tonnes of life-saving humanitarian supplies have been made available through Ireland's rapid response initiative and a highly skilled member of our rapid response corps has been deployed to Kathmandu to work with UNICEF. Following the second earthquake, these efforts will continue through Irish Aid and its NGO partners.

Senator James Heffernan also referred to the N20 and the road between Limerick and Cork. I inform him that another Senator tabled a Commencement matter on this issue today and there is a reply from the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport on the table in the anteroom. The Senator may wish to read it.

Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill raised the issue of social housing and noted the major investment announced, for the first time in many years, by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly. It is very welcome and I will be happy to look for a debate on the issue. Senator Aideen Hayden also called for such a debate.

I believe I have answered all of the questions asked by Senators, including those asked by Members who did not have the courtesy to stay in the Chamber or inform me that they had to leave.

I thank those who told me they were leaving and apologised. I also thank the Senators who took the time to remain in the Chamber. As the Leader has said many times, some Members remain to hear the replies, while others come in when it is time to speak and then leave without saying anything to the Leader. At a certain point he will have to decide to stop responding to those who have left the Chamber.