I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 27A and the name of the Member in each case: (1) Deputy Seamus Kirk - the need to re-examine the definition of a hardy nursery stock producer when applications for farm assist are being processed; (2) Deputy Patrick O'Donovan - the need to consider the introduction of mandatory minimum sentences for crimes against the person, including rape; (3) Deputy Patrick Nulty - the level of rent caps for rent supplement applicants in the Dublin area; (4) Deputy James Bannon - the need to provide an update on the remedial works being carried out at Glenn Riada estate, County Longford; (5) Deputy Paschal Donohoe - the need to finalise student grant applications; (6) Deputy Robert Dowds - the need for Ireland to lead European efforts to halt the melting of the Arctic ice cap as part of our Presidency of the European Council; (7) Deputy Jim Daly - the need to ensure that home owners and businesses can be adequately insured in flood affected areas; (8) Deputy Peadar Tóibín - the recent job losses in HMV, Old Darnley Lodge Hotel and other businesses and the steps taken to defend these jobs and the rights of workers; (9) Deputy Regina Doherty - the need for cash for gold outlets to specify that customers bringing in second hand gold items be requested to provide evidence of photo ID and other forms of ownership; (10) Deputy Finian McGrath - the new drug, kalydeco, for cystic fibrosis patients; (11) Deputy Denis Naughten - the need to communicate the benefits of donating newborn screening cards for clinical research; (12) Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin - the need to discuss the sentencing laws in rape and sexual assault cases; (13) Deputy Ciarán Lynch - the proposal for the return of VAT paid on the purchase of defibrillators by voluntary and charitable groups; (14) Deputy Colm Keaveney - the need to replace the graduate placement programme for nurses and midwives; (15) Deputy Michael McGrath - the implications for Ireland of the outcome of yesterday's meeting of eurozone finance Ministers; (16) Deputy Charlie McConalogue - the imminent closure of 100 Garda stations across the country and the need to protect the affected communities; (17) Deputy Clare Daly - in light of the judgment yesterday by Mr. Justice Carney, the need for consistent sentencing in rape cases and accountability of judges; (18) Deputy Billy Kelleher - the need to amend the terms of the new nurse and midwife graduate programme; (19) Deputy Joan Collins - the centralisation of community welfare offices in Drimnagh, Crumlin and Walkinstown to Parnell Road and Bishop Square, Dublin; (20) Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett - the need for an investigation into the death of a special needs child in respite care in Carmona services, Glenageary, County Dublin; (21) Deputy Dara Calleary - the need to discuss sentencing guidelines in light of yesterday's judgment of continuing bail and a suspended sentence for a convicted rapist; (22) Deputy Catherine Murphy - alarming trends in custodial sentencing for cases involving serious crimes such as rape and sexual assault; and (23) Deputy Mick Wallace - the leniency of sentencing in the case of Patrick O'Brien, and the need for judges to be given guidelines on sentencing rape and sexual assault cases.
The matters raised by Deputies Ciarán Lynch, Michael McGrath, Jim Daly and Robert Dowds have been selected for discussion.