I have received notice from Senator Robbie Gallagher that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Education and Skills to introduce a scheme to enable permanent primary school teachers, currently participating in a temporary teacher exchange scheme for five consecutive years, to continue to exchange their posts on a permanent basis, subject to the agreement and written approval of the boards of management of their respective schools.
I have also received notice from Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the Government's response to the recent assertion by the British Secretary of State, Mr. James Brokenshire, MP, that "the whole of Lough Foyle is within the UK" and to clarify why previous negotiations over this territorial dispute have not led to a resolution.
I have also received notice from Senator Victor Boyhan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the position regarding the reopening of the Garda station in Maynooth, County Kildare.
I have also received notice from Senator Paul Coghlan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Finance to review the system whereby traders on or over a €2 million turnover must account for VAT on the basis of invoices rather than receipts.
I have also received notice from Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide clarity on the need for the taxpayer-funded Irish Greyhound Board to interact positively, proactively and transparently with the representative organisation of greyhound owners and breeders, the Irish Greyhound Owners and Breeders Federation.
I have also received notice from Senator Colm Burke of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to confirm that the recommendations set out in Report of the Investigation into the Safety, Quality and Standards of Services Provided by the Health Service Executive to Patients in the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, have been implemented, particularly in respect of the appointment of a director of midwifery in each of the 19 maternity hospitals throughout the country.
I have also received notice from Senator Kieran O'Donnell of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on discussions on the provision of the drug Orkambi to cystic fibrosis patients.
I have also received notice from Senator Martin Conway of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to outline what funding her Department has given to Rural Resettlement Ireland over the past five years and her plans to support this organisation into the future.
I have also received notice from Paul Gavan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to update the Seanad on the status of the report from the Office of Government Procurement on the use of social clauses in public contracts, with particular reference to the issuing of guidelines to local authorities in this regard.
I have also received notice from Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh of the following matter:
Go dtabharfaidh an tAire Iompar, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt soiléiriú maidir le h-aon phlé a bhí ag Bus Éireann lena Roinn maidir le deireadh a chur leis an tseirbhís iompar scoile ó Rathún-Seantalamh chuig Scoil Náisiúnta an Chladaigh i nGaillimh agus an mbeadh sé i gceist aige iarradh orthu athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an scéal?
I have also received notice from Senator Maria Byrne of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to extend the 304 bus service to serve the residents of Annacotty, Limerick.
I regard the matters raised by Senators Gallagher, Mac Lochlainn, Boyhan, Coghlan, Ó Domhnaill, Burke, O'Donnell, Conway and Gavan as suitable for discussion. I have selected the matters raised by Senators Gallagher, Mac Lochlainn, Boyhan and Coghlan and they will be taken now. Senators Ó Domhnaill, Burke, O'Donnell, Conway and Gavan may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise. I regret I have had to rule out of order the matters raised by Senators Byrne and Ó Clochartaigh on the grounds that the Minister has no official responsibility in these matters.