Senator Thomas Byrne called for a debate on the reports of the Constitutional Convention. Mr. Tom Arnold came to the Chamber and has also agreed to come back to discuss the final report of the convention. I anticipate that debate will take place as soon as possible after completion of the report.
I note the Senator's point on the difficulties of the HSE in the recruitment of consultants. I am sure the Minister for Health is willing to address it in the Chamber. He will probably be here tomorrow to deal with the Health Identifiers Bill and has also agreed to come later in February to discuss the HSE national service plan. We will see him a lot in the coming weeks and I am sure these points can be raised with him during the course of the debates.
Senator Ivana Bacik referred to penalty points, a matter raised by a number of Senators. She welcomed the referral of the matter to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. The Committee of Public Accounts has also been mentioned in this regard. We all know that the committee has a vital role to play in our democracy, but so does An Garda Síochána. It is not in anyone's interests that a situation develop where one hampers the ability of the other to discharge its proper role. The vast majority who have spoken about the issue have welcomed the referral of the matter to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.
Senator Ivana Bacik and several other Senators referred to the Louise O'Keeffe judgment. I am sure its repercussions will be debated in the House at a later time when the judgment has been examined. Senator Denis O'Donovan mentioned the need for further legislation to protect children. I assure him that if further legislation is required to protect children, the Government will not be found wanting and will act in that regard.
Senator Feargal Quinn referred to school holidays for children and, in referring to religion, pointed out that the words of the Minister for Education and Skills had been taken out of context. I note his point on the allocation of more time for the teaching of languages and other matters.
Irish Water was mentioned by a number of Members. I will endeavour to have the Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, address the new points raised in recent days. The matter has been dealt with comprehensively at meetings of two of the Oireachtas joint committees and in this House. Some Members who did not know about the revelations of the past day or two should go back to the debate on Committee and Report Stages of the Bill. Quite a number of Members asked that local authority workers be protected, that they all transfer and that pensions be protected. Members should read the debate and perhaps reconsider their attitude to the revelations. The debate on Committee and Report Stages meant that Members saw some of the things that have come to light in recent days from Mr. FitzGerald.
Senator Colm Burke welcomed yesterday's announcement of 500 new jobs, which is great news for Cork and the country, as it will provide great opportunities for young people. I also note his comments on the number of people being diagnosed with dementia and the challenges this presents for the health service and the need for a debate on the matter.
Senator Martin Conway referred to the case of the Garda ombudsman, as well as the Louise O'Keeffe case.
Senators Marie-Louise O'Donnell and Marie Moloney referred to the youth guarantee and the launch of Pathways to Work. I anticipate that the Minister for Social Protection will fulfil her commitment to the House to discuss the youth guarantee scheme next week. I hope she will be in the House to discuss the matter on Wednesday next.
I note Senator Sean D. Barrett's comments on the report on the fatal air crash in Cork. When the full report has been published and examined in detail, we may be in a position to discuss the matter.
I will bring the Senator's remarks on the need to spell out the advantages of the proposed national postcode system and the cost-benefit analysis to the attention of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, but, as Senator Marie Moloney pointed out, the national ambulance service will be one of the greatest beneficiaries of such a system.
Senators John Kelly and Pat O'Neill welcomed the appointment of an independent commission to examine the pylon issue and EirGrid.
Senator Terry Brennan welcomed the tourism data published earlier. There were strong figures in the tourism sector which highlighted the success of The Gathering and other Government initiatives in this regard. Since taking office, the Government parties have taken a number of key decisions that have supported the tourism industry. The 9% VAT rate which initially was meant to be a short-term measure has been retained. The air travel tax which has helped to secure additional airline routes and capacity to Ireland will decrease to zero from April. The Minister for Justice and Equality's Irish visa waiver scheme, launched in July 2011, has also helped numbers in long-haul markets. Everyone will welcome the tourism figures which I hope will continue to improve in the year ahead.
Senator Fidelma Healy Eames called for a better consultation process where education was concerned. Perhaps we might have a debate with the Minister for Education and Skills on that matter which was also raised by Senator Rónán Mullen.
Senator Diarmuid Wilson mentioned Irish Water, a matter to which I have referred.
Senator Michael Mullins called for a debate on An Action Plan for Jobs. I hope to have the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in the House in mid-February. He has agreed to come to the House to discuss the plan.
I cannot answer the specific questions put by Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh about storm damage. If the Minister cannot give him an answer, I certainly will not be able to do so.