I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 21 and the name of the Member in each case: (1) Deputies Perry and Devins – that the Minister for the Environment ensures that the State acquires Lissadell House, County Sligo, home of Countess Markievicz in light of its historical connections, which should remain accessible to the Irish people; (2) Deputy Brendan Smith – the need to ensure the continuation of the maximum level of services at the department of surgery at Cavan General Hospital; (3) Deputy Ring – to ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if negotiations are taking place between her Department and Silflex Limited, Ballinrobe, County Mayo; how long that IDA Ireland factory has been vacant; its annual cost to IDA Ireland; the length of the lease agreement for it; and whether it would not be better for IDA Ireland to enter into an agreement with this company by paying it an employment grant for workers rather than having the property vacant for a further 20 years; (4) Deputy Neville – the Pollock report on the facilities provision at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin; (5) Deputy Morgan – the need for an investigation into the symphysiotomies carried out on women in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, and elsewhere in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s; and the provision to be made for the medical needs of affected women; (6) Deputy Coveney – the cost of the cleaning operation on the Irish ISPAT site in Cork harbour; (7) Deputy Finian McGrath – the urgent need for more investment in our health services to reduce waiting lists and ward closures; (8) Deputy Broughan – the urgent need to reverse funding cutbacks of almost 30% at the Northside Partnership, Bunratty Drive, Coolock, Dublin 17; (9) Deputy Seán Ryan – the delay in providing adequate redress to taxi drivers arising from the decision to deregulate the industry in November 2000; (10) Deputy Kirk – the withdrawal of the Louping III vaccine from the Irish market and the implication for sheep producers, especially in hill areas such as the Cooley Peninsula; (11) Deputy Harkin – the cessation of all paid group tuition in the Leitrim education for adults programme.
The matters raised by Deputies Kirk, Morgan, Seán Ryan and Coveney have been selected for discussion.