I have received notice from Senator Tim Lombard that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to investigate the option of developing an affordable housing scheme in Kinsale on land under the ownership of Cork County Council.
I have also received notice from Senator Victor Boyhan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to confirm the reserved functions of local authority elected members in relation to the three-year capital budget and to outline their powers to accept, amend or reject the draft capital budget at a plenary meeting of the full city or county council.
I have also received notice from Senator Aidan Davitt of the following matter:
The need for the Minister of Health to make a statement on the spiralling cost of the national children’s hospital project and whether construction should be halted, pending completion of the cost review.
I have also received notice from Senator Máire Devine of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the employment starting date of a sarcoma specialist for St. Vincent's University Hospital.
I have also received notice from Senator Lynn Ruane of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the progress of the working group which is examining alternative approaches to personal possession of illegal drugs.
I have also received notice from Senator Fintan Warfield of the following matter:
The need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to make a statement on the difficulties Irish registered parents in same-sex marriages abroad are experiencing in obtaining Irish passports for their children.
The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion. I have selected the matters raised by Senators Tim Lombard, Victor Boyhan, Aidan Davitt and Máire Devine and they will be taken now. Senators Lynn Ruane and Fintan Warfield may give notice on another day of the matter they wish to raise.