I agree with much of what Senator David Cullinane said about the need for a debate on Irish Water, but my prognosis of the company and the future direction of water policy is different from his. What is on the table from Irish Water needs to be addressed. The company appears to do a very good job in keeping itself in the news, sometimes for good reasons but at other times for bad ones. It engages in a significant amount of television and radio advertising at enormous cost. We hear spokesperson after spokesperson bringing forward new angles about the business of the company. What surprises me about today’s announcement is that it does not seem to fit fully into the position into which Irish Water was boxed by way of the 12-year long service level agreements between the Department, the unions and the local authorities. I am not sure how one can match the other. Irish Water is clearly not a conventional semi-State body. That issue has been adjudicated and ruled on by a European body and we cannot make that decision go away. We were advised at the time that the situation could be regularised within 12 to 24 months, but as of now it is impossible under the current terms of legislation, domestically and internationally, for Irish Water to pursue the line it indicated this morning. We have a Minister with responsibility for Irish Water and may have an election, but we need a degree of certainty about the company’s current plans. A debate here would be useful in that regard.

Both the Dáil and the Seanad seem to have gone into a dizzy spin about a general election. The men and women in the streets are not remotely concerned about when it will take place. They want to get on with living their lives. Whether it is held in November, February or March, we have a duty to continue doing the job we were elected to do. One of the issues of importance is the ongoing saga of Irish Water. Rather than speculate about when the Taoiseach might call the election – perhaps he does not know himself – we should get on with our normal, ordinary business.

I ask the Leader to try to organise a debate in which we might get some answers from the Minister on the apparently new stance being taken by Irish Water.

Senators Darragh O'Brien, Paul Bradford and David Cullinane referred to Irish Water, the seven-year plan of which was announced this morning. I am informed that the plan will be the subject of debate in the right forum - the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht. That debate will take place in early course.

Senators Darragh O'Brien and Aideen Hayden called for a debate on housing, which debate I am trying to arrange with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, or the Minister of State, Deputy Paudie Coffey.

Senator Ivana Bacik mentioned that a third graduate of Trinity College Dublin had been awarded a Nobel Prize. The name of the person concerned was mentioned by Senator Sean D. Barrett yesterday.

Senator Ivana Bacik also welcomed the willingness of the Minister for Justice and Equality to accept amendments in the Seanad to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill which was passed on Second Stage yesterday.

Senator David Norris mentioned the "Prime Time" programme last night on the review of over 300 cases. Having viewed the programme I think there is a need for a proper review process to have these cases dealt with. There should be full access for barristers to GSOC and Garda files. I was astounded to hear they did not have full access to them. I am very concerned about this and will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Justice and Equality.

I note the points made by Senator David Norris about J1 visas and their importance. I think everybody is aware of the matter.

Senator Colm Burke mentioned the delay in the registration of nurses and the urgent need to address the difficulties in the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland in that regard. As he rightly pointed out, there is a need to reform the system. I note the point that €304 million was spent on agency staff in 2014, which I agree is a large amount of money. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Health, although I know that the Senator has already done so in a Commencement debate. The issue will have to be addressed in early course.

Senator Terry Leyden called for the deadline for application for the water conservation grant to be extended. People have all day today to register. Therefore, they still have plenty of time to do so. However, I will ask the relevant Minister to consider extending the deadline, although people have been advised of it for many months.

I thank the Leader.