I have received notice from Senator Paddy 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 Transport, Tourism and Sport to review Government policy on the Road Safety Authority's tendering process for driving licences to allow post offices to act as agents in processing and co-ordinating applications.
I have also received notice from Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to work with his officials in expediting the opening of an Irish Passport Office facility in Belfast to meet not only the regular high demand for Irish passports but also the unprecedented number of applications following the UK referendum on membership of the European Union.
I have also received notice from Senator Maura Hopkins of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Finance to outline the interim measures being implemented to deal with the increased cost of motor insurance while awaiting the recommendations of the review of policy in the insurance sector which is due by the end of 2016.
I have also received notice from Senator Frances Black of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to outline the alcohol support services the State offers and if budgets will be ring-fenced in the future in the light of the briefing from the cross-party group on alcohol harm and the impact of harmful parental drinking.
I have also received notice from Senator Colm Burke of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to establish a forum involving all interest groups in the provision of care for the elderly, including the HSE, the Department of Health, Nursing Homes Ireland, GPs and geriatricians.
I have also received notice from Senator Paul Coghlan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline his plans for the domestic tourism industry in the aftermath of the UK referendum on membership of the European Union.
I have also received notice from Senator Máire Devine of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to acknowledge the worsening problem of illegal and legal steroid use in Ireland which is becoming more prevalent in sports clubs, gyms and facilities throughout the country and to outline when legislation will be enacted to deal with the issue.
I have also received notice from Senator Victor Boyhan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to update the House on the proposed cuts to the service and in the funding for libraries in County Sligo.
I have also received notice from Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to outline her Department’s strategy for investment and job creation on the Inishowen Peninsula, County Donegal, an area which is larger than County Louth and which has a population greater than that of County Leitrim.
I have also received notice from Senator John O'Mahony of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to discuss the proposed increase in the public service obligation levy on domestic and commercial electricity bills.
I have also received notice from Senator Gerard P. Craughwell of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to address issues of unfairness and inequality in the abatement of pensions for public servants who gain employment in another part of the public service having retired from their first career.
I regard the matters raised by the Senators as suitable for discussion. I have selected the matters raised Senators Paddy Burke, Niall Ó Donnghaile, Maura Hopkins and Frances Black and they will be taken now. Senators Colm Burke, Paul Coghlan, Máire Devine, Victor Boyhan, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, John O'Mahony and Gerard P. Craughwell may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise.