I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 21 and the name of the Member in each case: (1) Deputy Seán Ryan – the proposed pur chase of helicopters for the Air Corps with particular reference to entering into an offset contract as part of the deal; (2) Deputy Neville – the report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals; (3) Deputy Fitzgerald – the crisis in Dublin's maternity hospitals; (4) Deputy Upton – the need to provide additional protection for consumers having refurbishment work done to their homes; (5) Deputy Dukes – the detailed provisions for the resumption of Irish beef exports to Egypt; (6) Deputy Ring – the need for immediate payment of moneys due to farmers under the farm improvement grants scheme; (7) Deputy Healy – the need for increased manpower for Garda community policing schemes; (8) Deputies Penrose and McGrath – the implications for employment in the Athlone area of the decision to close a telephone betting centre (details supplied); (9) Deputy Michael D. Higgins – the need to end the bombing in Afghanistan to allow aid corridors to be established; and (10) Deputy Coveney – the legalisation of cannabis for medical purposes.
The matters raised by the Deputies Penrose and McGrath, Seán Ryan, Ring and Coveney have been selected for discussion.