I have received notice from Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:
An gá atá ann go soláthróidh an tAire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil an t-eolas is déanaí faoin obair atá ar bun ag an Údarás Clárúcháin Maoine ar Chlárlann na Talún i ndáil leis an iniúchadh ar fhóiliónna i limistéir chósta a bhfuil cearta bainte feamainne ag gabháil leo.
I have also received notice from Senator John Whelan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to prepare a strategy for the bee-keeping and honey sector on an all-Ireland basis in tandem with his Northern Ireland counterpart in terms of developing a viable niche agri-sector to protect native honey-bee species and ensure consistent and sustainable standards of honey production.
I have also received notice from Senator Denis Landy of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to outline what steps are being taken to eradicate the invasive plant known as Japanese knotweed, which is currently spreading across the country and causing severe damage to flora and fauna and built-up environments.
I have also received notice from Senator Jillian van Turnhout of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to outline the current operational status of the MRI scanner in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, and the waiting list for children, in particular those requiring a general anaesthetic, to use the scanner.
I have also received notice from Senator Catherine Noone of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Finance to outline the current position regarding the homecarer tax credit, how many people are in receipt of same and if there are plans to reform it.
I have also received notice from Senator Pat O'Neill of the following matter:
The need for the Minister Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline whether any provision has been made to provide grants in respect of forestry plantations that were severely affected in the storms of January 2014 which were not covered by insurance.
I have also received notice from Senator Colm Burke of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Education and Skills to work with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs towards providing adequate funding for the Life Centre in Cork, which is providing full-time education for 45 young people who have been referred to the centre by school attendance officers.
I have also received notice from Senator Lorraine Higgins of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to include the N66 from the Seven Eye Bridge at Kilaspic, Kilchreest, Loughrea, to Peterswell Cross in the national broadband plan.
I regard the matters raised by the Senators as suitable for discussion. I have selected the matters raised by Senators Whelan, Ó Clochartaigh, Landy and van Turnhout for discussion, and they will be taken now. Senators Noone, O'Neill, Burke and Higgins may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise.