Senator Mooney, acting Leader of the Opposition, raised the question of the Seanad meeting for two days this week and spoke about the need for more legislation to be brought to the House. I work with the legislation and the Ministers available at any point in time. The Seanad returned on 11 January, although this would normally be its first day back. We are well ahead of what happened heretofore in that regard. I agree that we need more legislation, but we have three Bills on the agenda for today and tomorrow. Senators can expect the Seanad to sit for three and four days for the remainder of this session because legislation is beginning to come through from committees. I have also asked Ministers to initiate more Bills in the House and hope that will be the case. Tomorrow we are taking the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011, which is being initiated in this House; therefore, we are making considerable progress on that matter.
Senator Mooney also spoke about the report on the cost of pharmaceuticals, which was also mentioned by Senators Quinn, Coghlan and others. Certainly, the cost of patented drugs in comparison to that of generic drugs is frightening. Perhaps we can arrange a debate on that report with the Minister in early course.
Senator O'Donovan complimented the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, on his proposals with regard to immigrant visas, which are aimed at assisting in job creation. Senators Noone, Quinn and others also raised that issue. I believe the regulations will come into place in March. Perhaps we could arrange for the Minister to come here to explain what he proposes. I am sure he would be more than willing to do so.
Senator van Turnhout raised quite a number of items on the Order of Business. We will be debating our Private Members' motion this evening. With regard to the six-month consultation process on the criminalisation of the purchase of sex, I will certainly contact the Minister and ask him what progress has been made. The Senator also mentioned the reinstatement of Louise Bayliss, which we all welcome, and outlined the need for further whistleblowing legislation, as did Senator Crown.
Senator Quinn mentioned generic drugs and the issue of immigrant visas. He also mentioned the report on the sale of alcohol, which was announced yesterday and deals with the sale of alcohol in supermarkets, garages and so on. I will try to organise a debate on the report in the House and will contact the relevant Minister with a view to doing so.
Senator Sheahan mentioned the cost of special managers in credit unions. It is absolutely disgraceful that, as he mentioned, amounts of over €400 per hour can be paid to such special managers. The Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Hayes, will be in the House within the next week or two, and perhaps the Senator can address his concerns to him at that time.
Senator O'Donovan mentioned the problems arising in maternity hospitals because of the number of midwives who are retiring. This issue can be raised with the Minister, Deputy Reilly, when he is here to discuss the health service plan.
Senator Landy outlined the changes in the processing of medical card applications, which are welcome, although there are still a number of problems in that regard. However, I am delighted to hear that the people in the primary care reimbursement service will come to Leinster House in the next couple of weeks to explain what is happening.
Senators Mac Conghail, Cullinane, Gilroy and others spoke about the payment of €1.25 billion to bondholders. The Government's current priority is to renegotiate our bailout agreement with the troika to reduce the cost of the bank bailout. The rewards for success in this regard are far greater than in any knee-jerk reaction of refusing payment of Anglo Irish Bank bonds. The focus is on reducing the cost of the funds used to capitalise the banks. I certainly share the public's dismay at the cost of this policy and the delay caused to the State's recovery, but, unfortunately, the truth is that the vast majority of Anglo Irish Bank debts were paid off under the previous Government.
Senator Mac Conghail also complimented, with Senator O'Keeffe, the Irish people involved in the films nominated for Oscars. I am sure we would all like to join in these congratulations.
Senator Mac Conghail also called for a debate on Seanad reform similar to the one we had on job creation ideas. I requested that members of the groups send me a bullet point list of ideas from their various members which had been expressed in the debate. The debate was well attended, with more than 30 Senators taking part, and we had some excellent suggestions. It is my intention when I receive those bullet point lists, which I hope will happen today, to present them to the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton. I hope we will be given feedback on these ideas, as requested by Members, with an update on how the Government is making progress on them. It was an excellent debate which lasted for more than three hours, and it was certainly a good thing for the Seanad to do.
Senator D'Arcy mentioned the exhibition on the Holocaust in Europe, which he recommended that people visit. He also called for a balanced view of Palestine-Israel relations.
Senator Norris stated that we should mark the achievements of this Seanad. He also called for a debate on the economy.
Senator Moloney spoke about the restrictions on mná tí in the Gaeltacht. I do not know whether it was the Minister with responsibility for the Gaeltacht who put this cap on mná tí. I will speak to the Senator afterwards and try to get information for her.
Senator Paul Coghlan also spoke about the reforms in the Seanad and its achievements in the past. I heard Senator Daly's comments on the former Senator, Dr. Maurice Hayes, who was one of the best Senators we ever had. He was an excellent person and is well suited to being part of the Taoiseach's team in organising the celebrations for the 1916 commemorations.
Senator Daly is right in what he said about statutory instruments, etc. Regarding EU legislation, I have written to the chairman of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, asking that some research staff be redeployed to allow us to debate European affairs and European directives in this House. I await the response of the chairman of the commission in that regard. I am sure that the Members of this House who sit on the commission will fully support our request.
I respect Senator Mullen's comments. I am sure he is not suggesting Independent Members have a monopoly of wisdom in this House. Parties have carried out important scrutiny of legislation and will continue to do so. It is not a monopoly so far as Independent Members are concerned.