I have received notice from Senator Colm Burke that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Justice and Equality to clarify the current position on the introduction of legislation which will allow the courts to grant periodic payments to those who have suffered injury as a result of medical negligence.
I have also received notice from Senator Thomas Byrne of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Justice and Equality to ensure repossession cases in the Circuit Court are heard by judges, not county registrars, and further discretion is given to judges.
I have also received notice from Senator Martin Conway of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Education and Skills to comment on the prohibition on special needs assistants working while participating in the career break scheme where such prohibition prevents them from completing their probation period in order to fully qualify as resource or SNA teachers.
I have also received notice from Senator John Crown of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to urgently outline the contingency plan to prevent an effective shutdown of hospitals in the event of a mass un-registering of nurses by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland on 2 March.
I have also received notice from Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh of the following matter:
An gá atá ann go ndearbhóidh an tAire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta go leanfar le maoiniú a sholáthar do Phléaráca Teoranta chun go mbeidh siad in ann leanúint den obair atá déanta ag an eagraíocht i gConamara le fiche bliain anuas.
I regard the matters raised by the Senators as suitable for discussion. I have selected the matters raised by Senators Colm Burke, Thomas Byrne, Martin Conway and John Crown and they will be taken now. Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh may give notice on another day of the matter he wishes to raise.