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 Transport, Tourism and Sport to increase the funding for regional and local roads in County Monaghan and throughout rural Ireland to a level commensurate with maintaining roads at an acceptable level.
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 Colm Burke of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to sanction the appointment of additional accident and emergency consultants at Mercy University Hospital, Cork in view of the large number of patients attending the emergency department.
I have also received notice from Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources to explore the measures he can take with RTE to ensure satellite subscribers in the North of Ireland will no longer be prohibited from viewing major sports events on RTE, as well as ensuring they can access programmes via the RTE Player on an equal basis with viewers in this state.
I have also received notice from Senator Frank Feighan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the status of and funding for the N5-Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge road project and sections of the N4 that have been identified for upgrading.
I have also received notice from Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh of the following matter:
The need for the Minister of Health to clarify when the new 75-bed ward block at University Hospital Galway will open; if it will be opened fully; and if it will have the full complement of staff in place to allow it to be fully functional.
I have also received notice from Senator Rose Conway-Walsh of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to outline the measures he intends to introduce to help children with cerebral palsy who require specialised physiotherapy which is only available in First Step Therapy Centre in Patrickswell, County Limerick.
I have also received notice from Senator Gerald Nash of the following matter:
The need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to discuss how to protect and vindicate the employment rights of non-EEA fishermen under the terms of the atypical permit scheme introduced this year.
I have also received notice from Senator Kieran O'Donnell of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to confirm the funding available for the provision of a night café for the homeless in Limerick city.
I regard the matters raised by Senators Robbie Gallagher, Tim Lombard, Colm Burke, Niall Ó Donnghaile, Frank Feighan, Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, Rose Conway-Walsh and Gerald Nash as suitable for discussion. I have selected the matters raised by Senators Robbie Gallagher, Tim Lombard, Colm Burke and Niall Ó Donnghaile and they will be taken now. Senators Frank Feighan, Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, Rose Conway-Walsh and Gerald Nash may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise. Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile has withdrawn the matter I had selected for discussion.
I regret that I have had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator Kieran O'Donnell on the grounds that the Minister has no official responsibility in the matter.
As there is a vote in the Dáil Chamber, I ask the Leader to propose a suspension of the sitting. We will have a problem if the resumption is later than 11 a.m.
