Senators Darragh O'Brien and David Norris referred to the Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014. The Bill passed through all Stages in a short period in the other House. If this House believes we should take Second Stage today and Committee and Remaining Stages on another day, I will facilitate it in that wish. I will amend the Order of Business to that effect if that is its wish.

Irish Water was mentioned by several Members. As much as 46% of the total has been collected to date. For the same period - the first three months of operation - after the introduction of the household charge, 43.8% of the total was collected. There is nothing new in these figures. The money collected will increase significantly as the months pass by.

I do not propose to accept the amendment proposed by Senator Darragh O'Brien that non-Government motion No. 20 be taken before No. 1. I have made inquiries about the availability of the Minister for Health and he is unavailable this week. His schedule is almost 100% full for the next few days. It is impossible, therefore, for him to come to the House this week, but I will try to get him to come next week. We will relay the information Members gave to the House this morning.

Senator Ivana Bacik mentioned the report of Migrant Rights Centre Ireland which was to be discussed at the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality and sought a debate on it in the future. She also sought a debate on education and the issue of school patronage. As we have had a couple of debates on that issue, we will see whether it is necessary to have a further debate in the coming few months.

Senator Colm Burke mentioned the employment of hospital consultants and the need for greater infrastructure, particularly in some areas in Cork. He mentioned that 1.8 million people had attended accident and emergency units in 2014, while almost 3.2 million had attended outpatient departments. Certainly, there is a need to acknowledge the workload of everybody involved in the health service. We compliment them on their work.

Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú, among several other Senators, mentioned the families of victims of the Ballymurphy massacre. They have called for an independent panel to be set up. I can assure the Senator and all those who raised it that the Government will continue to press the British Government on this and several other matters and ask for the relevant files to be released. There is no doubt that a grave injustice was done and continues to be done owing to the lack of an independent panel. The Government will continue to press as strongly as possible for such a panel to be set up. The other matters raised on previous occasions will be addressed.

Senator Aideen Hayden mentioned third level grants, as well as housing and student accommodation on campuses, on which matters she sought a debate. I will ask the Minister for Education and Skills to come to the House to debate them during the autumn session.

Senator David Cullinane addressed the issue of Irish Water. There is a need for fairness in the system. The Senator mentioned that grants were being given to people who had not paid. I do not think that has happened or that it will.

Senator Michael Mullins outlined the need for investment in water infrastructure. The people of County Roscommon are certainly appreciative of the fact that boil water notices which they had to endure for many years are a thing of the past now that good clean water is available to them.

Senator Michael Mullins also welcomed the publication of the heads of the victims of crime Bill. Their publication is to be welcomed, given that Members have raised the matter in the House previously.

Senator Denis O'Donovan suggested that in the light of the deaths of a number of people, the Seanad Public Consultation Committee engage in public consultation on the issue of water safety. We will have a debate later today with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, on the committee's most recent report on farm safety. Irish Water Safety certainly does a great job. If we can help to highlight the issue by having it considered at the Seanad Public Consultation Committee, we will consider that suggestion.

Senator Denis Landy, rightly, has highlighted the plight of people who are deaf and blind. As he mentioned, this matter was addressed by the Joint Committee on Health and Children earlier this year. We will relay his concerns to the Minister for Health.

Senator Gerard P. Craughwell suggested water meters were being installed for no purpose. I assure him that they have detected the leakage of millions of gallons of water in many parts of the country.

I think the relevant figure is 6%.

The leaks which are being fixed would not have been discovered if meters had not been put in place.

Senator Mark Daly spoke about the Ballymurphy massacre and the position on transplants at Beaumont Hospital. I have addressed these matters.

Senator John Crown called for updates on the transplant service and vaccination rates. He also mentioned a number of other health issues, including waiting lists. As I said, we will try to get the Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar, to come to the House before the close of the session next week. He is not available to come this week.

Senator James Heffernan, rightly, pointed out that a lack of sensitivity had been shown to the victims of institutional abuse in the provision of medical cards. They were certainly glad to receive the medical cards provided by the Government after a long fight. I agree that, rather than publishing the details mentioned by the Senator, more sensitivity needs to be shown. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Health and the HSE.

Senator Jim Walsh called for a pre-budget debate. Senator Paul Bradford made a similar request last week. They are especially interested in discussing the position on inheritance tax and capital gains tax. We will try to arrange such a debate.

Senator Rónán Mullen suggested the tourism industry and the Restaurant Association of Ireland were not represented at the National Economic Dialogue, a pre-budget forum. I am not aware of who was invited to attend. The Government has certainly done wonders for the tourism industry by reducing the VAT rate to 9% and getting rid of the travel tax. Those involved in the industry can rest assured that the Government will look after their interests, just as it has done in the past. I agree that if people involved in the industry were not invited to attend the National Economic Dialogue, it was remiss of those who had failed to invite them.

Senator Paul Bradford said every atrocity on the island needed to be investigated. I agree with him. He recalled the brutal killing by the IRA of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe. It is hard to think over 20 years have elapsed since the brutal murder of a man who was going about the business of protecting the citizens of the State. We should all recall the work being done by members of the Garda and the Defence Forces. We should never forget the brutality of the attacks on democracy they have and continue to come up against from some subversives.

Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill spoke about the plight of 13 schools on offshore islands, including some one-teacher schools. I suggest he table this specific item to be discussed during the Commencement debate in order that he can receive a reply from the Minister for Education and Skills.