I have received notice from Senator Grace O'Sullivan that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, she proposes to raise the following matter:
The need for the Minister of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to outline the reason his Department approved the licence for 1,860 acres of kelp seaweed harvesting in Bantry Bay, County Cork; whether an adequate environmental impact assessment has been carried out on this project; whether the Minister is satisfied that the advertisement and public consultation on this application was in compliance with the letter and the spirit of the law; and whether he shares concerns over the mechanical harvesting of the kelp at low height on the stem.
I have also received notice from Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to publish the report and recommendations from the expert panel established by the Government to investigate the problems that have emerged in concrete blockwork in Donegal and Mayo; and the need for the Minister to consider establishing a redress scheme for the affected families.
I have also received notice from Senator Colm Burke of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to carry out a full national review of the availability of respite care facilities currently available to over 18,000 families who are caring for those who have physical or intellectual disabilities, in view of the fact that many centres previously available are no longer able to provide this care.
I have also received notice from Senator Gerald Nash of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health and the HSE to develop a national strategy for Crohn's disease and colitis.
I have also received notice from Senator Gerard P. Craughwell of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to give details and a breakdown of the figure of €696,000 which his Department claims was paid to the rural resettlement initiative over the past five years; of the amount paid directly to the initiative for administration purposes; and the amount given for funding of the 21 voluntary houses.
I have also received notice from Senator Tim Lombard of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to develop a strategy for increased funding, recognition and participation for women’s sport.
I have also received notice from Senator Jennifer Murnane O'Connor of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to outline the reason Tir na nÓg respite services in County Carlow does not qualify to use Respond accommodation in Glen a Brú, Bagenalstown, County Carlow, given that the HSE, in conjunction with the Beams of Bagenalstown, were planning to offer the facilities to the Tir na nÓg respite services during the summer; and if he will outline the criteria required to avail of Respond services.
I have also received notice from Senator Paul Gavan of the following matter:
The need for Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline his views on the failure of Shannon Airport Authority, SAA, to achieve key goals in line with its current business plan with regard to passenger numbers and new jobs; his views on the subsequent decision by the SAA to downgrade the airport in order to cut costs; and the need for the SAA to heed the calls from a range of groups, including local unions and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, for a re-think on these short-sighted cost-cutting measures.
I regard the matters raised by the Senators O'Sullivan, Mac Lochlainn, Colm Burke, Nash, Craughwell and Lombard as suitable for discussion. I have selected the matters raised by Senators O’Sullivan, Mac Lochlainn, Burke and Nash and they will be taken now. I regret I have had to rule out of order the matters raised by Senators Murnane O'Connor and Gavan on the grounds that the Ministers have no official responsibility in these matters. Senators Craughwell and Lombard may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise.