Senator Humphreys has moved an amendment to the Order of Business, "That a debate with the Minister for Health on the exclusion of parent representation from the HSE primary care steering group be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?

Can I seek a point of clarification from the Leader?

Briefly.

Children with complex medical needs is an important matter. There is a Minister, who is scheduled to speak in the House today, available to give a report I ask the Leader of the House to arrange for the Minister to briefly address my matter today when he is in the House. Failing that, I seek a commitment that the Minister will be in here early next week to address this important matter. If the Leader can give me that commitment, I will not press the matter.

What I am committed to doing, a Chathaoirligh, is to get an answer to the situation for Senator Devine. To be fair to her, she rang me this morning about the matter. I want to get her an answer and I endeavoured to get her one prior to the commencement of the Order of Business. I have replied that a steering group has been established. I am not prepared to commit to accepting the motion on the Order Paper. If the Minister for Health comes in, I will ask him, as part of his address, to make reference to the matter but I have no control over that.

The other part of the question asked by Senator Humphreys was failing that, is the Leader prepared to ask the Minister to come here next week to debate the issue?

To be fair to Senator Devine, and I do not want to put words in her mouth, but in her conversation she sought this matter to take place, without debate. I am happy to ask the Minister for an answer to the question posed by Senator Devine because the issues she raised is important. I am not anxious to divide the House because it will not solve the valid issue raised by the Senator..

Okay.

I did suggest to Senator Devine that perhaps, over the course of this morning, she could submit a Commencement matter for tomorrow where she will get an answer quickly if she is successful in getting it selected, or on Tuesday.

It is too late.

I appreciate the suggestion made by the Leader. First, I want this House to support parents throughout the country.

That is the point.

That is really important. It is a no-brainer.

Okay.

It is really important that this House does so. Therefore, I would table a motion as opposed to-----

We will deal with one issue at a time. Senator Humphreys has tabled an amendment. Is he pressing his amendment?

Unfortunately, I have to divide the House because I did not get a clarification from the Leader.

That is fine.

Fair enough.