Before calling the Leader to reply, I welcome Senator Devine's niece, Ms Anne Mongey, to the Chamber, as well as Áine, Leah and Saoirse.

I thank the 15 Members of the House who made contributions to the Order of Business.

Senator Swanick and others raised the issue of air pollution and the related public health concerns. It is a huge issue with which we have to grapple, as Senator Swanick quite rightly said. Since the implementation of the smoky coal ban in Dublin and other major urban areas, lives have been saved. We must continue to grapple with this in order to ensure this practice ends, as the Asthma Society of Ireland has done. The Taoiseach and I have both noted there is a potential legal challenge involved, but I commend the Senator on the work he is doing in highlighting this and advocating for better air quality on the basis of public health. I also commend Sarah O'Connor of the Asthma Society of Ireland. World Lung Day was held recently and we learned that 4.2 million deaths occur worldwide from air pollution every year. It is important that we continue to promulgate and promote an alternative.

Senator Swanick also referred to Brexit, as did Senator McDowell. Much is being said, written and speculated about Brexit. We have not yet reached the end of the Brexit process, although I hope it will come soon. As I have said previously, and as Senator McDowell noted in his comments this morning, there is no good outcome from Brexit. Brexit is bad, full stop. There are no winners in Brexit. The Government has represented the people and tried to ensure that the island of Ireland is represented.

Senator Swanick and others mentioned the flu vaccination. Members and staff in the Houses of the Oireachtas have an opportunity to avail of the flu vaccine today, and I hope people will do so. As part of the winter readiness campaign, people should seek an alternative to visiting GP practices, and we should all support flu vaccinations.

Senator McDowell raised the issue of the Land Development Agency, as Senator Boyhan has done previously. As I have said in the House, the legislation in question is on the Government's priority list to be published this term. The Land Development Agency is up and running, as Senators know, and is working on eight sites with seven more in the pipeline. John Moran has been appointed as chairman of the interim board. The Land Development Agency's focus in recent months has been on delivering on those eight sites. It has already engaged in advanced preliminary feasibility work on all eight sites which have a capacity to deliver 3,000 homes. Having completed the feasibility aspect, the professional teams now must go ahead and apply for planning permission. The sites in Skerries in County Dublin, the former St. Kevin's Hospital by the Lee Road in Cork city, and the former Devoy Barracks in Naas can provide 250, 200 and 200 homes, respectively. In addition, the agency is also looking at other areas around Dublin. I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House to discuss this. The Bill is one part of addressing this issue but work is continuing.

As Senators McDowell, Mullen, Humphreys and others stated, we must examine different models for the delivery of houses. That could be the Berlin model or what is being worked on and achieved in Vienna, which Senator Boyhan and I recently visited with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe - Parliamentary Assembly, OSCE PA. I had a good engagement on housing when I was there. Whatever model we look at, however, it must be able to deliver a variety of houses. Senator McDowell has pointed out that we are spending an inordinate amount of money on HAP and rent allowance that could be used in the acquisition and development of housing. We should have that debate and I would be happy to facilitate it.

Senator Conway-Walsh referred to CervicalCheck and the apology made by the Taoiseach yesterday on behalf of the Irish nation. It was an important day and not just about words. The Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, has put in place a system of building blocks for the families and the victims. We have to ensure this type of tragedy never happens again and the Minister and the Government are committed to that.

Senator Humphreys proposed an amendment to the Order of Business. I do not think another Senator seconded it. To be fair, Senator Humphreys made an important point. I will have the Minister contact the Senator, as a matter of priority, after the Order of Business because the matter of the school building programme is important. As the Senator stated, there seems to have been a change of philosophy in how the programme operates. The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy McHugh, has a list of emerging needs. The point the Senator made about the Shellybanks school and emerging needs is important, however, and will affect all of our areas. I will endeavour to have a conversation with the Senator after this session and have the Minister speak to him as well.

In light of the Leader's comments, I withdraw my amendment to the Order of Business.

I will be dealing with the proposed amendment later.

Senator O'Reilly referred to the school meals programme, which is an important initiative in our education system. All of us recognise the importance of nutrition. In the context of the development and well-being of young children in schools, it is critical that they are properly fed. Some 36 schools were part of a pilot programme run by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection last year. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, has flagged that by 2020 there will be 45 childcare settings in which hot meals will be made available. Senator O'Reilly also referred to the school book scheme. I would be happy for the Minister to come to House to debate that issue.

Senator Gallagher made reference to the funding of public services. I am sure every local authority would love to have more money. I am happy for the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Ring, to come to the House to highlight the amount of money that he has spent in this area, and for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, to do likewise. This important issue also relates to the area of transport. I am happy to have that debate.

Senator Boyhan raised the issue of SHD and fast-track planning. He raised these points yesterday in a very good meeting of the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government. Senator Boyhan is correct when he states that we must achieve a balance between powers, third-party appeals and fast-tracking. The scheme is due to end this year, but it can be extended to 2021 by the Minister. He stated in the Dáil earlier this month that he has the report and that there will be changes. The points made by the Senator are important because there is a feeling of disconnection in local communities and local authorities. A variety of speakers appeared before the joint committee yesterday, including some from the Irish Planning Institute. I am happy to have the Minister come to the House to discuss the matter and there is merit in the Senator's suggestion.

Senators Mulherin and Lombard raised the issue of CAMHS, eating disorders and self-image. That is an important matter about which we as a society must continue to have a conversation. I am happy to have the Minister come to the House.

Senator Devine raised the issue of the Shannon LNG project. That matter was debated during the Order of Business in recent days. I will not repeat what has already been said.

Commencement matters are important and it is essential that all Members have an opportunity to put one forward. It is disappointing if Ministers do not come into the House. Some Ministers want to take debates and are only too happy to do so in person. I will speak to the Government Chief Whip regarding this matter. There may be diary issues involved, but it is not good enough to have no Minister present to address Members' Commencement matters and that Ministers cancel at short notice.

Senator Lombard referred to the important I Wish campaign being undertaken and spearheaded by Ms Gillian Keating and Ms Caroline O'Driscoll from Cork. There was an excellent presentation this morning in the audiovisual room on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM, subjects and the need for young girls and women take them up in schools. I am happy to have that debate.

Senator Murnane O'Connor raised the issue of drivers who are more than 70 years of age. Bus Éireann has a policy centred on drivers reaching the age of 65. That is extended for part-time and private workers. There is a facility for those drivers to continue beyond the age of 70, provided they have licences and are certified by their doctors. The Bus Éireann age limit was extended. This might be more appropriately dealt with by means of a Commencement matter to which the Minster for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, could reply.

Senator O'Mahony raised the issue of the Irish Aviation Authority and the importance of a policy on drones. We saw what happened in respect of this issue last February. I am happy for the Minister to come to the House.

Senator Mullen referred to the Irish longitudinal study on ageing and the matter of loneliness raised yesterday by Senator Murnane O'Connor. Loneliness is the unspoken issue for many middle-aged and older people. I would be happy to have that debate.

Regarding the matter raised by Senator Ó Donnghaile, I thank Senator O'Reilly for deputising for me last week in Belfast. I regret that I was unable to be there because of a diary clash with an event where I was speaking in Cork. It is important that links are forged in this regard and I know that Senator McDowell's group was in Belfast before the summer recess. It is important for the Upper House to have links and build relationships, and we are very well represented by Senators Ó Donnghaile and Marshall in the North. I hope we can develop those links further.

Turning to Senator Horkan, the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly will be 30 years old next year. Regarding BusConnects, we will have that debate in due course. An interim report was published yesterday, so I am sure there will be much lengthy debate in the next couple of weeks.

I thank Senator Humphreys for withdrawing his amendment. I welcome the Leas-Chathaoirleach's daughter and granddaughters to the House. They should be very proud of their dad and grandfather because he is a magnificent person and we are very proud of him. He has done a great job as a Member of this House. Beir bua.

Is the Leader trying to embarrass me?

The Leas-Chathaoirleach is lost for words.

Senator Humphreys has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That a debate with the Minister for Education and Skills on differences in pupil-teacher allocations between developing schools and established schools be taken today". The amendment was not seconded during the debate and, consequently, falls. The Senator had already kindly withdrawn it, however. Is the Order of Business agreed? Agreed.