I thank the 18 Members for their contributions to the Order of Business. I join with all colleagues in congratulating our colleague, Senator Grace O'Sullivan, on her election to the European Parliament. We wish her well and look forward to the second by-election on the agricultural panel in Seanad Éireann. I also congratulate all Members elected to the European Parliament and wish them well in their term of office. I welcome our colleague and friend, Michael Mullins, and the friends of Senator Hopkins to the Public Gallery.

I also join with Members in raising the issue of Spinraza and congratulate everyone involved. I pay tribute to the Minister for, as Senator Noone noted, his perseverance and willingness to continue the campaign. I welcome the decision today.

Senator Horkan raised the remarks today of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council. In the context of the conversation, the Minister and the Government note the remarks and articulation by Professor Coffey and other members of the council. I remind Senator Horkan that it was the previous Government that set up the council in order to have an open and frank dialogue and to shine a light on our economic policy. I challenge Senator Horkan to look at the proposals by his own party colleagues and front bench and every single promise made by Fianna Fáil in the run up to the next general election - whenever that is - that, along with those of Sinn Féin, would probably bankrupt the country. Let us be clear. We are a small open economy and we are at risk. To to be fair, the Minister recognises that the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has a role to play. He takes its advice. Our surplus is 0.2%, we have balanced the books and put aside a rainy day fund, unemployment is down to 4.6% or below, and we are investing 25% more in infrastructure. The Government has committed to reducing our debt burden. We are creating more jobs than ever before. However, I accept the point that there needs to be prudence. This requires prudence on the part of everybody in politics so that they do not grandstand with the electorate and promise everything and we have an honest debate about what we can and cannot achieve. I would be happy for the Minister to come to the House. The summer economic statement will be put before the House before we conclude for the summer recess. I take Senator Horkan's points regarding that.

Many of us share the Senator's concern that the ban on smoky coal should have been introduced a long time ago but as he knows, the ban is of benefit to the country in terms of health, health outcomes, fresh air and breathing. However, we live in a litigious society and there is the threat of litigation. As the Taoiseach said in the Dáil today, that is part of the reason but I would be happy for the Minister to come to the House to discuss the matter.

Senators Gavan and Bacik referred to tomorrow night's Private Members' business. The Minister has articulated a view that we need to be careful in what we do to ensure fairness around tips for workers and that there is transparency in that matter. Tips are for workers. The Minister will bring forward a payment of wages Bill in due course. We will have that debate tomorrow night and I look forward to the Minister coming to the House for it.

Senator Gavan spoke about the HAP scheme. Again, rather than delaying the House in giving a huge amount of time to the matter, I would be happy for the Minister to come to the House for a debate. Alternatively, Senator Gavan might be best served by raising the issue as a Commencement matter.

Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell raised the issue of healthcare assistants. She spoke about the need to fill vacant positions and tackle the critical skills shortage that exists.

She also raised the issue of being able to age with dignity and care. We concur and agree with all of these points. The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government has always said it is not about downsizing; it is about right sizing. I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House and have a debate on the matter in due course.

Senator Norris raised the issue of litter on the north side. I do not necessarily agree with the Senator. The issue has also to do with a cultural attitude to littering. It is not about having plastic bags. It is about getting the mind right regarding litter.

We all share the Senator's concern about the stabbing on O'Connell Street this morning. The Government has reopened Garda stations. We have increased investment in An Garda Síochána. As Senator Norris may have seen from the latest report by the Garda Commissioner in the allocation of the new recruits predominately to the north side of Dublin and to Drogheda, the Government is committed to ensuring that there is adequate policing in the areas to which the Senator refers.

Senator Noone also raised the important issue of bottle banks being removed. The point the Senator makes is that in the context of those on private property, but also on public property, we need to find alternatives to give people an option to recycle and to be able to become, as I say, culturally in tune with what is the right thing to do. I commend the Senator for that suggestion. I thank her also for raising the issue of the European Union being able to negotiate on the issue of our drugs basket.

Senators Davitt and Leyden raised the issue of the Parole Board. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, is acutely aware of the pain and trauma suffered by victims of crime. The Minister takes great care in reviewing the recommendations of the Parole Board. There is, as the Senators will be aware, a Bill imminent. The Minister is working on that Bill. It will be before the House as soon as it is ready. The Minister is extensively engaging with others on that particular matter.

Senator Boyhan raised the important matter of sewage in Dublin Bay. It is one to which a response needs to be activated quickly. We saw the benefit of Irish Water where Cork Harbour is now clean and where we have seen the elimination of dumping of raw sewage into the harbour. Dublin Bay will benefit from similar activity by Irish Water in tandem with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

Both Senators O'Mahony and Paddy Burke raised the issue of the payment by the redress board to an individual in receipt of a social welfare payment. Both Members make valid points regarding the issue. It is one for which I do not have an answer. It is one with which I do not necessarily agree. Senators O'Mahony and Paddy Burke might be best served by putting a Commencement matter before the House.

Senators Horkan and Bacik raised in a roundabout way similar issues about women's health and men's health. I would be happy to have them debated in due course.

I join Senator Richmond in congratulating the Emerald Warriors on the successful hosting of the Union Cup. It was a good weekend of inclusivity for men's and women's rugby in Dublin. I congratulate all involved on what was a wonderful showcasing of Ireland, and as Senator Richmond rightly said, of the voluntary effort by the Emerald Warriors' committee. I commend all involved. I thank Senator Richmond, who is wearing the tie this afternoon in the House, for his support of, and representation of the Oireachtas at, the event at the weekend. I would be happy to have the Minister, Deputy Ross, or the Minister of State, Deputy Griffin, come to the House to have a debate on inclusivity in sport. It is something that we need to see debated, but also we need to encourage men and women in sport to be more inclusive in attitude.

The Minister is included in all sport coverage.

The Minister is very inclusive in his exclusivity regarding certain sports.

Including boxing.

Especially boxing, yes.

Senator Swanick raised the issue of Belmullet hospital. I understand both the Minister, Deputy Ring, and Councillor Gerry Coyle have been very active in the matter and have been engaged with the HSE, which has refuted the accusation that there will be no more admissions. There is an issue around three temporary contracts from three staff members who have been redeployed and have been given the option following discussion with the representatives in the area. The district hospital in Belmullet and Áras Deirbhle are very important locally to the people of Erris and beyond. I am told there is no imminent threat to the hospital.

I am sure Senator Swanick can table a Commencement matter on this issue.

Senators Lawlor, Leyden and McDowell raised the issue of insurance. I am pleased to inform the House that the Judicial Council Bill 2017 will be taken in the House next Thursday and there will be an opportunity for Members to submit amendments, if they so wish, by the following Tuesday. The Government is prioritising the passage of the Judicial Council Bill 2017. We have had debates on insurance on a number of occasions. I hope Members will be aware of what is happening when they make comments in the House in regard to the priority of Government business. We are all aware awards are too high. I agree with Senator McDowell that one Bill, in itself, will not end the spiralling awards or costs. There needs to be a cultural change here and that requires an absolutely honest conversation around the issue of insurance.

The Perjury and Related Offences Bill 2018 is also ready to be debated and was to be on the schedule for next week but for some reason, it will not be on the schedule until the week after. The Minister, Deputy Flanagan, is ready to proceed with it. It was not the fault of the Government that it was not available for next week.

Senator Marshall raised the very important issue regarding haulage and freight and the need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to come to the House. I will be happy to facilitate a debate at the earliest opportunity. Senator Mulherin raised the new fair deal scheme rules to be brought in for small and medium-sized enterprises and for farmers. I welcome and congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, on his proposals which were brought to Cabinet today. We will have a debate on the fair deal scheme in a matter of weeks.

Senator Ó Donnghaile raised the issue of reconciliation. It is important in the context of our centenary of commemorations that we have a conversation around commemoration. Senator McDowell was involved in a very informative television programme recently and I saw the programme on Dolours Price last night. Senator Ó Donnghaile referred to Kieran Doherty being elected on this day in 1981 along with Paddy Agnew. June 1981 was a tremendous period for the Fine Gael Party. We won 65 seats under Garret FitzGerald in the election that year. It was not a good day for Mr. Haughey as Members opposite will recall. I am sure Senator Leyden is still smiling.

We do not remember these things.

I was elected that day.

Reconciliation is very appropriate, go easy.

Fine Gael were out of office very quickly afterwards.

We will come to that when we commemorate the budget in February 1982.

That was a very good election for me.

I think we are having too much history here.

It is good to remember, a Chathaoirligh, and, as Senator Ó Donnghaile has talked about reconciliation, we should also remember our past so we can forge our the future.

Senator Paddy Burke raised the issue of the Committee on Procedure of the Dáil and the Committee on Procedure and Privileges of the Seanad, on which the Cathaoirleach commented, and the apology by the Ceann Comhairle to Angela Kerins. It is time that we, as a House, took a stand, independent and separate from the Lower House. We are joined to the Lower House as, constitutionally, we are part of the Oireachtas. The people decided not to abolish this House. There is an obligation and duty on us as custodians of this House to stand up for it. I believe some of the Members of the Dáil Business Committee would rather that we were not here at all. We should have an honest discussion at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges on how we are viewed, our role under the Constitution, and where we are in the Oireachtas. We should not allow for the airbrushing or removal of Seanad Éireann or its Members from committees, or from dealing with certain issues pertaining to the matters of the Houses of the Oireachtas. I concur with Senator Paddy Burke's sentiments on this matter.

I wish all members of the Conservative Party running for election every success. As Senator Feighan said, I hope they remember that we are their nearest neighbours and that Brexit will have an impact on us.

I welcome Mr. Glenham Smith from Virginia in the USA, who is here as part of an internship programme for the summer months. I wish him well on his first day in Leinster House. I also welcome our former colleague, Mr. Michael Mullins, to the House and wish him well. If he is intent on making a return, a Chathaoirligh-----

Will that be in a by-election?

-----he will be a very welcome candidate on the agricultural panel in the Seanad by-election. If not, I am sure he will not have long to wait for the next Seanad election, unless he is going to go on to another House. I do not know about that.