I have received notice from Senator David Cullinane that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to outline the steps he intends to take to ensure the workers at Clerys department store receive adequate and fair remuneration for the unexpected loss of their jobs and to provide details of the measures he intends to take to compel liquidators and employers to consult unions and workers in the event of sudden closures.
I have also received notice from Senator Paul Bradford of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to state if he is aware that planning restrictions on the building of new houses adjoining national secondary roads are having a detrimental impact on farm families where family members who wish to work on the home farm cannot obtain planning permission to build a home near the farm.
I have also received notice from Senator Cáit Keane of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to state if he would consider introducing an information campaign on the contribution calcification testing could make in reducing the number of heart attacks in Ireland, whether research has been carried out by the HSE into its potential benefits for cardiac health and if there are plans to introduce free calcification screening.
I have also received notice from Senator Colm Burke of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to clarify the current position on the setting up of a drugs review committee for orphan drugs, as such a proposal was outlined in the rare diseases plan.
I regard the matters raised by the Senators as suitable for discussion and they will be taken now. Senators Cáit Keane and Colm Burke have withdrawn the Commencement matters which I had selected for discussion.