I am sure all Members will want to join in the expression of congratulations to all those involved in the success of Irish films - producers, directors and actors - nominated for the Oscars last week, in particular Lenny Abrahamson on his nomination for best director for "Room" which has received four nominations. "Brooklyn" has received three Oscar nominations. It is superb to see such recognition of the enormous talent coming out of Ireland. Having said that, there is the serious issue of State funding. The Irish Film Board raised this issue on Thursday of last week in anticipation of the nominations. It organised an event with stakeholders and those working in the industry to aski the Government to reverse the spending cuts introduced during the crisis and to point out that funding for the board had been reduced by 40% from its peak in 2008, as Senator Paschal Mooney might recall. In 2008 the funding allocated peaked at €20 million, which is now down to €11.2 million. Clearly, the immense success of the Irish film industry has been achieved in spite of the funding cuts.

However, I support the board's calls for a review of these cuts.

I support calls for a debate on the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission's powers of telephone surveillance. Serious issues have been raised in respect of the apparent surveillance of journalists' telephones without any notification to them by GSOC. I am aware that the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, is presenting a review of the issue to the Cabinet and we might have a debate on it, if time permits, when we know the response. Clearly, this is another scandal relating to GSOC's powers.

I call for a debate on homelessness in the light of the revelations in recent days about complaints concerning accommodation which have been made in Dublin and in the light of the excellent RTE programme broadcast last night on which some brave families who were homeless effectively filmed themselves in their predicament over a number of months. It was powerful television and brought home to all of us the real plight of people who were homeless, but I take issue with Senator Paschal Mooney's comments. There was a period of serious neglect in social housing provision, on which I believe everyone can agree. For many years there has been a lack of funding provided for social housing and what we are now seeing is the consequence of those years of neglect of this sector.

A motion on the issue of cystic fibrosis and funding for particular medications has been circulated by Senator Mark Daly. Quite a number of colleagues from the Labour Party and, I am sure, from other parties have expressed concern to me about the issue and I have asked the Minister for Health for a response on the provision of two drugs in particular, Orkambi and Kalydeco, for those with cystic fibrosis. I have an alternative wording on which we might agree which I will circulate to group leaders today in order that, rather than playing political football with this very serious issue, we can agree for the health and safety of cystic fibrosis patients a factually accurate cross-party motion on the provision of important medication. I have spoken with the Leader about it, but it is an important issue. In the last few weeks of this Seanad's term it would be a very good issue for us to unite on as a House and throw our support behind it.