I have received notice from Senator Michael McDowell that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:
The need for the Government to respect constitutional provisions on the appointment of judges.
I have also received notice from Senator Keith Swanick of the following matter:
The need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to engage directly with the Courts Service and the Common Investment Fund, with a view to divesting from tobacco-related stocks, and the need for clear guidelines within her Department on such investments, given that tobacco-related illness is the leading cause of preventable deaths in Ireland.
I have also received notice from Senator Gabrielle McFadden of the following matter:
The need for the Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for mental health services and older people to outline what can be done to enhance 24/7 mental health services for those who have particular challenges in accessing them such as young people, the homeless and those suffering from addiction issues.
I have also received notice from Senator Neale Richmond of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Education and Skills to extend the consultation period on the role of denominational religion in the school admissions process and possible approaches to making changes.
I have also received notice from Senator Catherine Noone of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to examine the high cost of car parking in many public hospitals, especially for long-term illness patients, and if he will consider providing car parking guidelines for hospitals nationwide, with the objective of reducing the cost for long-term illness patients and their families.
I have also received notice from Senator Martin Conway of the following matter:
The need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to rectify the anomaly whereby rent supplement is considered in determining eligibility for free legal aid, whereas the housing assistance payment is not taken into consideration.
I have also received notice from Senator Colm Burke of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to confirm that funding will be provided to open a new six-bed gynaecological day unit within Cork University Maternity Hospital as it is urgently required to help to reduce the current waiting list for gynaecological services.
I regard the matters raised by Senators Michael McDowell, Keith Swanick, Gabrielle McFadden, Neale Richmond, Catherine Noone and Martin Conway as suitable for discussion. I have selected the matters raised by Senators Michael McDowell, Keith Swanick, Gabrielle McFadden and Neale Richmond and they will be taken now. Senators Catherine Noone and Martin Conway may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise.
I regret that I have had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator Colm Burke on the grounds that it is a repeat of a similar Commencement matter raised on 26 January 2017.