Your personal view is reflective of that of many in the House who share your sentiments that we are forced to suspend sittings because of the lack of availability of a Minister. Perhaps the group leaders of all Members of the House, particularly Opposition Members, might speak to their party Whips with a view to having Ministers paired for the time period when voting takes place on a Thursday or even consider allowing them to be deemed to be present in casting their votes because it discommodes Members of this House. It also disrupts the business of this House and the Cathaoirleach is correct when he says if we were to try to change the way we do our business and impose it on the other House, we would not be long in hearing about it and would be told that we could not do it. There is merit in his suggestion. Perhaps it is a matter the Committee on Procedure and Privileges might take up on our behalf, but it is something on which we should definitely reflect. We speak about new politics, but at one level it has ground legislation to a halt, whether as a result of pre-legislative scrutiny which we welcome or other matters. Members of this House are united on the approach to be taken to the issue.

I thank the 18 Members who spoke about a variety of issues. Senator Catherine Ardagh raised the issue of housing and referred to the report of the Simon Communities of Ireland which was published today. I am sure the Senator will join me in welcoming the decision today of the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Simon Coveney, to extend the rent pressure zones across the country. Supply is the issue we have to tackle. That is why Rebuilding Ireland provides for solutions to address the unacceptable number of people who are homeless and living in emergency accommodation. We need to see supply start. I am disappointed that the Senator spoke about not being able to see sods being turned. I would be very happy to bring her to Deanrock in my constituency, where just this week we have seen bulldozers going in and work begin on the construction of new units of social housing. It is important that we see units being built, vacant units being sourced by the Housing Agency and being put back to use and the continued expansion of the housing assistance payment, HAP, scheme for homeless persons.

I hope the Rebuilding Ireland targets will be met. As the Senator knows, the Minister is committed to coming back to the House to discuss the issue. I thank the Senator for raising the matter because it is important that we keep it at the top of the political agenda.

Senator Catherine Ardagh raised the issue of the funding of drug and alcohol agencies and the task force. The budget includes an additional allocation of €3 million to support drug and social inclusion measures in 2017. The extra funding given to the HSE and local drugs task forces will, I hope, enable them to continue to provide for interventions aimed at improving health outcomes for the most vulnerable. The Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, is from the Senator's constituency. She is both progressive and proactive and I am sure will be happy to work with the Senator in addressing the issues in her constituency. As I said, there has been an increase in the budget and I am sure we will all work to ensure the increases will continue to address the issues raised by the Senator.

Senators Victor Boyhan, Michael McDowell and Diarmuid Wilson referred to judicial appointments. The Government is committed to reform of the system. It is important to recognise that we have been served well by the men and women appointed to a variety of judicial posts. Anybody who wants to investigate or analyse the role and work of the Judiciary will find that it is exemplary. There may have been a minority of judges who acted to the contrary, but that is something one will always have. It is important to put the matter in context. I hope that as part of the discussion on the judicial appointments Bill, common sense will prevail and that what Members of this House will have to say will be listened to. The same applies to what was said at the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality yesterday. I have great faith in the Chief Justice, as I had in her predecessors. It is important that we allow for the independence of the Judiciary from the Executive to continue. We are governed by the Constitution. I hope the issue will not be personalised in an attack on the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, who has a very hard view on what should happen.

I know and will say what it is.

I cannot answer for the Minister.

Senator Michael McDowell will have a lot of us consulting him.

Senator Michael McDowell might share it with us, if he knows what it is.

Speak out. Name and shame.

I will at some stage.