I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters:
Senator Malcolm Byrne - The need for the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to make a statement on the likely impact on tourism of the proposed new registration system for short-term letting properties.
Senator Victor Boyhan - The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to make a statement on the launch of the new forestry programme and the Irish strategic forestry fund with Gresham House and Coillte.
Senator John Cummins - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to increase the maximum market value of properties which can be purchased with the assistance of the local authority home loan mortgage.
Senator Tim Lombard - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the timelines for the commencement of opthalmology services in the new theatres and outpatient units in South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital and in Ballincollig, County Cork.
Senator Martin Conway - The need for the Minister for Finance to make a statement on the disabled drivers and passenger tax relief scheme, in particular the current exemption thresholds for VRT and VAT.
Senator Emer Currie - The need for the Minister for Transport to review the bus services proposed under BusConnects for Littlepace, Dublin 15.
Of the matters raised by the Senators suitable for discussion, I have selected Senators Malcolm Byrne, Boyhan, Cummins and Lombard and they will be taken now. I regret that I had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator Currie on the ground that the Minister has no official responsibility in the matter. Senator Conway may give notice on another day of the matter that he wishes to raise.