I have received notice from Senator Kieran O'Donnell that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the emergency department's winter plans and the provision of additional acute beds at University Hospital Limerick.
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 the report on the investigation into the safety, quality and standards of services provided by the Health Service Executive for patients in the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, have been implemented and, in particular, 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 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 that regard.
I have also received notice from Senator Robbie Gallagher of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the proposed funding to carry out the essential and urgent structural repairs required to the Tyrconnell bridge at Tyrconnell Street in Donegal town.
I have also received notice from Senator Tim Lombard of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to make funding available for the completion of the Bandon bypass.
I have also received notice from Senator Frank Feighan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on plans to secure the relocation of the European Medicines Agency from London to Ireland and to establish if any function of the agency can be relocated to the Carrick-on-Shannon region.
I have also received notice from Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to consider prioritising the reintroduction of the local improvement scheme in 2017.
I regard the matters raised by the Senators as suitable for discussion. I have selected the matters raised by Senators Kieran O’Donnell, Colm Burke, Paul Gavan and Robbie Gallagher and they will be taken now. Senators Tim Lombard, Frank Feighan and Brian Ó Domhnaill may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise. Senator Robbie Gallagher has withdrawn his Commencement matter which I had selected for discussion as the appropriate Minister is not available.