Senator Hayden and others spoke about the speech made by President Obama. She called on the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, to come to the House for a debate on inequality in society and on equality issues. That is another matter we will have to raise with the Minister when we try to get him to come to the House.
I advise Senator Rónán Mullen that we are awaiting the Government's proposals for legislation on the X case judgment. Very successful hearings on the matter were held in this Chamber a number of weeks ago. The Chairman of the Joint Committee on Health and Children is to be complimented on the manner in which he chaired those hearings which were of benefit to us all. Everybody had his or her say in a meaningful and respectful way. The Members who were here to listen to the debate got a good insight into the positions being taken by both sides. That is how such debates should be carried out.
Senator Martin Conway called for the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, to come to the House for a debate on restorative justice. I understand the pilot restorative justice schemes in Nenagh and other areas have proved to be successful. This is the third matter to which I have responded so far in which the Minister for Justice and Equality, is responsible. He will be a busy man in this House alone.
Senator Marc MacSharry also raised the question of nurses, which I have dealt with.
Senator Mary Moran and several other Senators extended their deep condolences to the family of the former Minister of State, Deputy Shane McEntee. I should have alluded to his death. I take the opportunity to join my colleagues in expressing my sympathy. Shane McEntee was a decent, honourable and caring public representative. After his election to the other House, he served the people of his constituency very well and he did likewise in the areas for which he was responsible as Minister of State. I join Members in expressing our sincere sympathy to his family. Senator Sean D. Barrett referred specifically to his performances in this House. Not so long ago he came to the Seanad to speak about ash dieback disease, on which he certainly was a great fountain of knowledge. He carried out his duties in that respect in an excellent manner.
Senator Sean D. Barrett also commended the Tánaiste and the Secretary of State for their work in Northern Ireland. We all agree with what he said about the need for a political solution to the flag issue.
Senators Catherine Noone, Lorraine Higgins and Colm Burke spoke about HMV vouchers and asked whether legislation was required to protect consumers. It is possible that legislation is required to deal with the issue. Senator Colm Burke made a point about separate accounts in that context. A number of aspects of this country's consumer protection code need to be debated. Perhaps the Minister who is responsible for this matter might be brought before the House. As I received a few vouchers for Christmas, I am in the same position as a number of others in this regard.
Senator David Cullinane called for a debate on equality for women, a matter raised by Senator Aideen Hayden previously.
Again, we will try to bring the Minister to the House.
Senator Marie Moloney raised the issue of cyberbullying and urged parents to be cautious in that regard. We have discussed this issue in the House previously and I am sure it is a subject to which we will come back in early course.
Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill spoke about the discovery of equine DNA in burgers. It is only fair to state our food safety and traceability system is recognised as one of the best in the world. This is reflected in the fact that the issue was discovered using advanced testing methods which are not used in other jurisdictions at this point in time. It is a very serious issue nonetheless.
The Senator also referred to septic tanks. We will have the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in the House this afternoon and the Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, will be here tomorrow to discuss water services. Therefore, the Senator may have an opportunity to raise the matter with either of them.
Senator Fidelma Healy Eames spoke about the conviction rate for rape and expressed the view that it was very low. It is alarmingly low and certainly a matter that should be researched and investigated. I agree with the Senator that we should debate it in the House.
Senator David Norris also spoke about that case. While I cannot comment on the individual case, I agree with his sentiments that we should not be driven by tabloid headlines on any issue.
Senator Eamonn Coghlan outlined the plight of junior doctors and urged that we improve their conditions. Certainly, the working time directives in place will improve their conditions. I know the Minister is working on the issue.
Senator Jim Walsh called for respectful and truthful debate at all times. I am sure we all agree with the sentiment that this is what we should have in the House. Debate should be respectful to everybody, be it the Chair or anybody else, and we should always be respectful and truthful.
Senator John Kelly raised the issue of abuse of the free legal aid system, particularly with regard to the use of the system by habitual offenders. Senator Terry Brennan also referred to this point. It is a matter we can raise with the Minister for Justice and Equality.
Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh has reminded us that this year is Bliain na Gaeilge. I am sure everybody will use the bit of Irish he or she has. We are blessed to have so many excellent speakers of the language in the House. We had a debate on one Bill which was totally in the Irish language, which possibly had not happened in either House of the Oireachtas for a long time. Members of the House are to be commended for this.
Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh also raised the question of the invitations to the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister. As I have outlined on several occasions, there are protocols that must be gone through. We have initiated these protocols, but we have not had a positive response from the people involved. Invitations have gone out, but I understand both of them must come together. I would like to have both of them here together. It is not my fault that they are not here. It would be good to have them. With regard to a plebiscite, we will have to wait. I note Senator Jim D'Arcy's point on the research undertaken by Queen's University on the matter, but I am sure Senator trevor Ó Clochartaigh would have a different view on it.
Senators Jim D'Arcy and Labhrás Ó Murchú referred to Showcase 2013, the excellent exhibition organised by the Crafts Council of Ireland that is under way, which highlights that we have so much positivity to offer in this country.
Senator Jim D'Arcy asked about the extension of the JobBridge programme. We will certainly ask the Minister to comment on it. Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú also outlined the positive aspects not only of Showcase 2013 in the RDS but also The Gathering and many other areas. The Senator should bring his side of the House together and outline to it that it should be expressing the good news available more often.
Senator Cáit Keane spoke about the extension of the maturities on Irish bonds and EFSF loans. Senator John Gilroy also raised this issue. The finance Ministers agreed to examine the extension of the maturities for Portugal and Ireland. Finance Ministers representing the 27 EU member states agreed at ECOFIN this morning that the duration of the loans drawn down under the European financial stabilisation mechanism would also be examined. This decision is only possible because we are delivering on our commitments and building support behind the scenes with our EU partners, which is very important. An extension of the maturities has the potential to further enhance Ireland's debt sustainability and improve our prospects of making a full return to the markets at competitive interest rates. All of these issues will, I hope, be put to bed by the end of March. We can then have a debate on the subject.
Senator Jimmy Harte spoke about medical cards. He argued that the role of community welfare officers in this matter should be highlighted and that they had disappeared from the scene, although at one time many of them helped people to fill in medical card application forms. Citizens information offices around the country can help and I am sure many Members of the Oireachtas and local representatives help applicants with this issue on a daily basis. We will try to get the Minister to come to the House to outline the changes in the review of medical cards.
Senator Terry Brennan must take up the issue of the venue for the Fleadh Cheoil with Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú outside the House. The Senator also raised the issues of sentencing and free legal aid, matters which were also raised by Senator John Kelly.
Senator Michael Mullins spoke about positive suggestions and initiatives with regard to job creation. He pointed out that we had a debate on these issues in the House. Perhaps we might extend an invitation to the relevant Ministers to come to the House to take up other positive suggestions in that regard.
That concludes most of the items raised on the Order of Business.