Senator Eamonn Coghlan also noted that Fianna Fáil had closed more Garda stations and rural post offices than the Government.

It has nothing to do with the Deputy Leader; she would never say anything like that.

Senator Eamonn Coghlan also expressed support for the protection of the national anthem.

Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill also raised the issue of the neglect of rural Ireland. I think I have dealt with that matter. The Senator also referred to a specific matter related to State board appointments. Again, it would be more appropriate to raise that matter in the Commencement debate.

Senator Terry Brennan spoke about tourism. In this regard, he called for recognition of the role of voluntary activists and community workers. It is an important point to make.

Senator Paul Bradford asked about the Technological Universities Bill. I have dealt with that matter.

Senator Jim Walsh referred to the anniversary of the first meeting of the First Dáil and called for a debate on housing. The Leader responded in full to a question on housing and homelessness earlier this week, after a number of Members had looked for a debate on the subject. There is a great deal of work being done to ensure we deal with what is a very serious crisis. The current funding allocation for the provision of emergency accommodation for homeless persons was increased in budget 2016 by €17 million, bringing the level of Exchequer support to €70 million, an increase of 56% since 2014. Many initiatives have been taken. In 2015 over 13,000 units were delivered across all social housing programmes, an 86% increase on the figure for 2014. The target in 2016 is to deliver over 17,000 units. Therefore, a very ambitious social housing programme is in place, but, as anyone who saw the television programme on Monday night will know, there is still a very serious problem and we need to move swiftly to deal with it. As the Leader has already done, I will seek to arrange a debate on the issue.

Senator John Crown described the failure to reform the health service as a disappointment. He acknowledges that there have been massive reforms, notwithstanding the failure to introduce the universal health insurance system that it was hoped to put in place. There has been the provision of free GP care for children and the elderly. There have also been very significant changes in hospital governance, as well as investment in primary care services.

The Senator also raised the issue of the taking of Private Members' Bills. We can seek to make time available next week to bring forward Private Members' Bills still on the Order Paper.

I urge the Senator not to lose heart. In 2011, at the time of the last general election, I had a Private Members' Bill on the Order Paper to prohibit female genital mutilation. I am happy to say it was restored to the Order Paper by the Government in 2011 and is now in force.

The Deputy Leader is a Government Senator.