I will change the subject for the moment. I commend the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality which, under the chairmanship of Deputy Ó Caoláin, launched its latest report this morning. Deputy Ferris and I were present at the launch. The committee has done a wonderful job on this. The report is on Article 41.2 of the Constitution and the effort to remove or replace it. The committee has come up with two recommendations which offer really good options that could be taken. This is an opportunity for us to examine the role of carers in the home and to give to them their rightful place and enshrine this in the Constitution. It would be really useful for the Minister to come before the Seanad to discuss this report in order that everybody can contribute to the debate. I also encourage wider society to get involved in this debate because it is an opportunity for us to enshrine the socio-economic rights of people who care for others in the home in a concrete way. I hope the Deputy Leader can facilitate such a debate.

Yesterday, we heard from a number of people who work in various parts of the health service. It was a useful presentation and it gave us an insight into what it is like for people working within the health system and trying to cope with the demands they are meeting every day, be it a shortage of staff or a lack of equipment. What emerged from the presentation is the lack of capacity there to meet demand.

A particular issue about which I am extremely concerned is the need to draw attention to the fact that acute psychiatric patients and people in need of mental health supports and treatment are, quite rightly, presenting at emergency departments. If somebody with an acute psychiatric condition or with mental health challenges is forced to wait for hours in an emergency department, it can give rise to a very difficult situations for the staff.

That is something that needs to be examined. People in such circumstances need to be seen. I am extremely worried about the number of people who present in emergency departments, who after waiting there for hours leave without any treatment at all. Others have to wait for long periods also. There are thousands of incidents around this country where people present at emergency departments and difficulties arise. Injuries have resulted from people not getting the timely treatment and care they need. The staff in emergency departments are not in a position to deliver that without having the proper resources to do so. I would like the Minister to come to the House to specifically address the issue of how to deal with people presenting in emergency departments with acute psychiatric conditions and how the situation can be improved in order to avoid injuries and worse.

It is welcome that the Dáil voted through the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018 last night and that it will be coming to the House this afternoon. At the forefront of my mind in debating the Bill is the responsibility we have to the citizens that voted overwhelmingly in the referendum that the legislation should go through and that we should deal with it in a timely manner so as to ensure women can get the healthcare to which they are rightly entitled from January on. I would have liked the Bill to have come here much sooner and I will be aiming to ensure we can provide that health service to women from 1 January.

On numerous occasions I have raised the development of 3,500 units in Poolbeg west. We are now coming up against a time restraint. Back in September, An Bord Pleanála stated it needed additional information from Dublin City Council by 28 January 2019. Dublin City Council provided the information for An Bord Pleanála on 27 November, nearly two months ahead of schedule. The closing date for submissions on the Poolbeg west development is 2 January. This is a time-sensitive issue. We have always argued in this House that the housing crisis can only be dealt with on a supply basis. I call on the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, to come to the House because if the matter is not addressed urgently by him, those who are on the housing list and who so badly need housing will lose 550 units. That is unacceptable. I have raised the matter for three years and very little action has been taken. I give some praise to the former Minister, Deputy Coveney, who was proactive in regard to the development. He visited the site on many occasions and was part of the agreement on the financial undertaking for the additional 550 units. However, nothing has happened since.

It is shocking.

If An Bord Pleanála makes a decision on the issue we will get 350 units, because that is all the current legislation allows for. An Bord Pleanála has no other option than to make a decision on that basis. In all conscience, I cannot allow a situation whereby the 550 units would not go ahead. They are to be part of the affordable rental scheme and possibly the rent-to-buy scheme. A wide range of people in different sectors and socio-economic classes would have an opportunity to live in the heart of the city. Inaction on this issue is not acceptable but we have had nothing but that. There was a solemn undertaking from the previous Minister, Deputy Coveney, that 550 units would be delivered. The issue is time sensitive. The matter must be discussed in this House before 2 January. Otherwise, we face losing 550 units, which would be an outrage. The developer does not have to provide the 550 units. The receiver could supply the land and approved housing bodies could build the units. I want to ensure the 550 units are delivered for the citizens of this city. The inaction of the Government on the issue is totally unacceptable.

I have no difficulty with the proposal to sit on Monday but I suggest the starting time be 2 p.m. or 2.30 p.m. because we could then also sit at 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday morning. I do not know what the Leader is considering but I suggest that as an option for him to consider.

I have been looking back over recent years at the way this country has developed. On the one hand, we have a significant number of American companies here that have produced many jobs. The corporation tax that has been paid in the past 12 months is a substantial contributor to the budget. Likewise, Irish companies are making a significant contribution in America. I understand Irish companies employ more people in America than American companies employ in Ireland. I was struck by our level of contact with the structures in the US. When I was in the European Parliament we had a joint committee of the European Parliament and the US Congress and I think it might be worth establishing a contact with the structures in the United States. The Seanad should build a relationship with Senators in the US. In the forum to which I referred a group of us met once every six months either in Washington or Brussels. Such an idea should be considered in view of the substantial contacts between the countries, the reliance of American companies in Ireland and vice versa in the American market. I urge you a Chathaoirligh, together with the Leader and the leaders of all the groups in the House, to give serious consideration to this proposal.