The House will sit during the week of the bail referendum, but if Members wish to have time off to canvass that can be arranged between the Whips. I will discuss the possibility of a further debate on the Department of Justice next week with the Leader of the Opposition.
A number of Senators raised the question of local authority financing. I promised a debate on it and I will try to have a date for it tomorrow or at the beginning of next week at the latest. I agree that the points raised are valid and in some cases urgent. The debate on the role of the Seanad has been generally welcomed and I will give Senators notice on a timetable for that. Senator Fitzgerald raised the question of a debate on the Constitution. That will happen in the new year and not before the end of this session.
I will arrange a date for a debate on the White Paper on science and technology. I will convey Senator McDonagh's points to the Minister as they are worth discussing. Senator Norris, as ever, took a broad view on the role of Seanad reform and I am glad he will not be giving the House a weekly update on the sewerage scheme in North Great George's Street. Senator Fitzgerald had a question on item 1. It is proposed to finish Committee Stage today and Report Stage is provisionally scheduled for 27 November.
Senator Fitzgerald also raised the question of the timing of our debate on Seanad reform. It would be right that the contributions sought should not be made until after we have had time to reflect on and discuss the issues, and I will convey that view to Deputy O'Keeffe. There will be no Minister present obviously because it is a matter for ourselves but it might be appropriate, with the agreement of other parties, to invite Deputy O'Keeffe to sit in on that debate.
Senator Calnan raised the question of young disabled. It would be an important subject for a debate and if I can, I will facilitate him.
Senator Finneran raised the question of local authority funding and I will have a date for that debate. He again raised the question of a debate on mental health. If the legislation is not about to appear fairly soon, a debate on the White Paper would be reasonable and I will try to arrange that.
Senator Howard raised the question of the Copyright Act, 1963, and I will seek information on that matter. As I said before, the debate on the currency issue is provisionally scheduled for 4 December. Senator Farrell's proposal for a short debate on alcohol abuse is worthwhile and a series of short debates on issues of this kind would be useful. I will see what can be done about that.
Senator Daly wants a debate on industrial policy. That is reasonable. Perhaps he can find a suitable form of wording for it. He also wants a debate on current developments within the Defence Forces. I will contact the Minister to see if that can be arranged. I am sure it can.
Senator Enright raised the question of brokerage and the investment industry. I would be very happy to make my party's next Private Members' Time available to the Senator so he will have plenty of time to explore the issues and get answers.
Senators are raising important topics which are worthy of debate on a regular basis. At the Committee on a Procedure and Privileges, I may be able to find some procedure to facilitate short one hour debates on important issues, such as the matter Senator McGennis raised. The report on domestic violence and sexual abuse is worth a short focused debate and I will see if we can find some procedure whereby such debates can be taken on a regular basis because these reports should be debated in this House.
There will be a debate in the next couple of weeks on the dairy industry. I expect it will be fairly wide ranging and Senator Townsend could raise his points then.
On the question of the signal for Teilifís na Gaeilge, Senator Mooney is in a good position to raise that directly with the people who are responsible, RTÉ, but I will convey the Senator's disquite to the Minister.