I have received notice from Senator Keith Swanick that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the current state of negotiations with general practitioners on a new contract; to outline a timetable for the reversal of cuts made under the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, legislation for general practitioners; and to outline the contingency arrangements in place to secure the retention and recruitment of GPs, especially in rural practices.
I have also received notice from Senator Paul Gavan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the delays on the part of the HSE to implement the public service stability agreement pay increases, as awarded under the job evaluation scheme.
I have also received notice from Senator Maura Hopkins of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the progress of capital projects at Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinasloe, County Galway.
I have also received notice from Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide an overview of current Government policy on the post office network.
I have also received notice from Senator Colm Burke of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Education and Skills to allow the board of management at Scoil An Athar Tadhg, Carraig Na Bhfear, County Cork to proceed with its planning application for a new school.
I have also received notice from Senator Paul Daly of the following matter:
To ask the Minister of State at the Department of Health to make a statement on the proposed changes to the treatment of farms and businesses under the fair deal nursing home support scheme.
I have also received notice from Senator Victor Boyhan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to confirm the reserved functions of local authority elected members in relation to the three-year capital budget and to outline their powers to accept, amend or reject the draft capital budget at a plenary meeting of the full city or county council.
I have also received notice from Senator Máire Devine of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the employment starting date of a sarcoma specialist for St. Vincent’s University Hospital.
I have also received notice from Senator Tim Lombard of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to outline if the Referendum Commission will be charged with informing the public about the options pertaining to the plebiscites on directly elected mayors in Cork city, Limerick city and county, Waterford city and county and Galway city and county.
I have also received notice from Senator Catherine Noone of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Finance to make a statement on the introduction of the full 23% VAT rate on food supplements and vitamins.
The matters raised by Senators Keith Swanick, Paul Gavan, Maura Hopkins, Brian Ó Domhnaill, Colm Burke, Paul Daly, Victor Boyhan and Máire Devine are suitable for discussion. I have selected the matters raised by Senators Keith Swanick, Paul Gavan, Maura Hopkins and Brian Ó Domhnaill and they will be taken now. Senators Colm Burke, Paul Daly, Victor Boyhan and Máire Devine 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 Tim Lombard on the grounds that it is a repeat of statements on directly elected mayors in the Seanad on 29 January. I also regret that I have had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator Catherine Noone on the grounds that it is a repeat of a Commencement matter raised on 30 January.