I thank the 11 Members for their contributions to the Order of Business. The Cathaoirleach has caught me on the hop.

That is very rare.

The Leader is like the battery; he is ever ready.

I join with Senators Daly, Norris and Feighan in their condemnation of the violence and attacks in Derry, which are unnecessary and unwanted. All of us condemn the provocation and attacks. As Senator Daly mentioned, we are on the edge of the marching season, and I think of tomorrow's events in particular. I hope all who take part in tomorrow's marches are cognisant of all communities who live in the North of our country. We have made great progress and I hope tomorrow will be a day of peaceful demonstration and of parades. I do not use the word "demonstration" in the sense of protest. I welcome the decision of Ms Justice Keegan in the court in Belfast regarding bonfire size. As Senator Norris expressed, I hope that tomorrow we can all share in what is good and recognise that we have to live together on our island.

Senator Daly also made reference to the issue of home help. The Government has invested significantly in home help hours. As Senator Humphreys said yesterday, there is a road blockage somewhere regarding the allocation of home help hours and home care packages. I know from my own experience that there is a blockage somewhere in the system. I agree that we need to ensure that the system frees up that allocation of resources so that those who need home help hours or home care packages are able to avail of them.

Senator Daly also raised the Ryanair strike. We hope the strike will not discommode the travelling public. It is a matter for the industrial relations mechanisms of the State and it is a matter between Ryanair and its employees and their representatives. I welcome the talks taking place today. There is a lot of confusion about what a Minister can and cannot do.

There sure is.

I do hope that the flying public will not be disrupted.

Senator Conway-Walsh made reference to the INMO and its input at the Joint Committee on Health. I thank the nurses' organisations and the nurses themselves for their work in our hospitals. The INMO is a trade union of the nurses which came to the health committee with a particular vantage point. There has been significant investment in the resourcing of our hospitals through recruitment, investment under the capital programme, and investment in upgrading facilities.

There are ongoing issues, so we must change the model as part of our overall work. The Sláintecare report calls for further investment in primary care. For many, the emergency department should not be the first port of call. There are urgent care centres and out-of-hours South Doc and GPs. I accept that there are strains and pressures on those working in the health system.

The matter of Translarna was raised once again by Senator Conway-Walsh. I welcome the company's withdrawal of its challenge. As the Senator knows, the HSE negotiates with companies through the primary care reimbursement service, PCRS. There is an ongoing issue with the price of the drugs basket. The PCRS negotiates on behalf of the Government with various health-----

This-----

That is the reality.

Yes, but the negotiation on this drug is done. This one is different.

I know, and I am not against what the Senator wants to achieve, but it is not the Minister who goes in, sits down and thumps the table. There is a way of doing this. Our drugs basket price has decreased. I would be happy to take up the matter on behalf of the Senator.

Please do. The Minister is familiar with this matter and will know what I am talking about.

I would be happy to do that. Senator Grace O'Sullivan raised the important issue of our responsibilities under sustainable development. We are lagging behind other European countries in our commitments on climate change. I would be happy to arrange a debate on renewable energy. We need to keep working on this.

Senator Norris referred to the presidential election. In my response yesterday, I neglected to mention the important point made by Senator Conway regarding behaviour during election campaigns. He spoke about the Standards in Public Office Commission, SIPO, having a role to play. I hope that all involved in the presidential election campaign - candidates and media - will take a sensible approach. We heard some commentary on the election on radio this morning. It is an important election.

I do not mean to sound a discordant note, but it is almost like Senator Norris can say whatever he wants in here and go unchecked. The Fine Gael Party has made no decision yet.

Yet.

The Fianna Fáil Party has made a decision, which is its prerogative.

Absolutely.

No one has closed the option down. The Constitution is clear. Twenty Members of the Oireachtas or four city or county councils can sign a candidate's nomination. That is not closing it down. That is laid out under the Constitution.

Correct.

If Senator Norris wants to change the Constitution, then let us put that question to the people in a referendum.

It does tighten up the options.

Do not tell us that Senator Wilson wants to go as well.

All I am saying is that-----

Does Sinn Féin have a candidate?

In connection with that, some of the commentary being levelled against the Fine Gael Party during the House's discourse on the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill is laughable. I will not take a lecture from anyone about the role of Fine Gael, as a party in government, in the appointment of judges, our support for the Judiciary or our support for the pillars of our society. I would certainly be happy to participate later and outline some of the mistruths being told by people in this House. If we are going to have a debate, let it be on the facts, not the personality of a Minister. At times this week, I despaired at the level of debate and the carry-on of some. It beggared belief. We wasted so much time. I appreciate that calling quorums and walk-through votes is a parliamentary device, and to be fair to my good friend, Senator Wilson, he was not the person calling the quorums, but some of the carry-on would not be seen in Tom Duffy's Circus.

Exactly. I agree with the Leader 100%.

Senators can argue that perhaps we would do the same, but I hope that the debate will focus on the Bill itself. If there are demerits, let us iron them out.

Senators Lombard and Humphreys raised the issue of the effect of the drought and fine weather on the agriculture community. There will be a knock-on effect. Consider what Teagasc said last week about growth - there was no growth. Yesterday, the Minister convened numerous meetings with stakeholders. He has engaged daily. I will endeavour to have him before the House next week for a debate on the matter, but it may not prove possible.

Senator Gallagher discussed the Irish Men's Sheds Association. There are 400 in the country, including 40 in Cork, which are doing great work, as the Cathaoirleach knows well. I was not aware that there had been a funding cut. I will endeavour to find out what that was about.

Senator O'Reilly referred to PEACE funding. I would be happy to arrange for a debate on that. It is important that the Senator's concerns be addressed and that there be no slippage in funding. Money should be put in place. ERDF funding is important to the Border area, particularly in this Brexit era, . A debate is necessary. The Senator has often expressed his views on the need to keep the PEACE projects. I would be happy to support him in that regard.

Senator Humphreys also discussed climate change. I would be happy to arrange for an ongoing debate. The Senator also referred to the Whip system. I am amused by the Labour Party's late conversion to it. I hope that the party will apply the Senator's proposal to all votes instead of just a particular Bill.

I join Senator Feighan on congratulating the Air Corps on its wonderful assistance this week. It illustrates the importance of North-South joined-up approaches. I also join Senators in welcoming Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, to the country. Some Members of the House attended last night's garden party. I am sure they had a wonderful time. More of us were here soldiering on-----

Soldiering on for the judges.

-----for the good of the country. Is it not wonderful that the Prince and his wife, Meghan, are in Croke Park-----

Hear, hear.

-----which may be the most important symbol of our country and the home of our national games?

I hope she is wearing the Cork jersey.

I was hoping she would be wearing the Clare one.

She should be wearing the jersey of the Munster champions.

If she comes to Clare, I will give her a present of a hurley.

May I join Senator Leyden-----

For the record, Kerry are the Munster champions.

In football. The Senator is correct.

-----in hoping that the publication of the White Paper on Brexit will lead to a furthering of the understanding of the needs of the UK and a bringing together of the EU and UK on the issue of Brexit. The resignations of members of the British Government are a matter for that Government, but we should be cognisant of their impact on us as well. Brexit is a catastrophe for everyone.

Hear, hear.

It is imperative that we all continue to put the case for our country, as the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach are doing. The Cathaoirleach commended Senator Leyden on his role. I am sure that he will continue to be the voice of reason, as will Senator O'Reilly and other Members of the House who travel and undertake European work.

I join Senator Conway in congratulating all involved in Thailand, particularly the gentleman, Mr. Jim Warny, from Clare via Belgium. It is important to acknowledge the tremendous role of those involved in the rescue. Equally, it is important to recognise that a diver's life was lost. I sympathise again with his family.

A number of Senators are concerned about the time for the Minister's speech during our statements on Palestine. I am happy to work with Members to ensure that his speech is not a lengthy tome. I will speak to them after the Order of Business if there is a concern. I am more than willing to increase the time for each Senator to eight minutes. I will revert to the House. A number of Senators raised this matter with me during the Order of Business, but they did not move a formal amendment.

To which item of business is the Leader referring?

No. 3. I want to be fair to all Senators who expressed a view. I would be happy to revert to them after the leaders' meeting so that people can have an opportunity for greater participation.

It has been brought to my attention that there was a substantial debate on this already in January so this is somewhat of a repetition and people should not complain about that. The Leader can ponder on that.

That is fair enough. I do not want to have a division in the House on this matter because some people want to have their views expressed, which is fair enough, and I want to try and accommodate as many people as we can. I will come back later with an amendment to the Order of Business if it is necessary and I take the Cathaoirleach's view on board.