Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

On behalf of the House, I join Senator Alex White in expressing sympathy and sending condolences to the wife and family of former Senator Dominick F. Murphy, who died recently. In due course, with the approval of Mr. Murphy's family and the leader of the Labour Party, I will make available the usual opportunity for Members to pay their full respects to the hard work and dedication of the former Senator. I certainly want to be associated with the remarks that have been made today.

Senator O'Toole spoke about No. 1, motion regarding EU Commission proposals on Schengen evaluation. I understand the original motion was due to be discussed by a joint committee yesterday, 9 June 2009. That motion was intended to allow Ireland to opt into the initial negotiations before the relevant deadline, which is midnight today, 10 June 2009. Due to this week's unusual Dáil business, it was not possible to refer that motion to the Dáil today. It was scheduled to come back from the committee to both Houses today, which is the last sitting day before the deadline. That was not possible, however. The original motion has become irrelevant because it was based on the expected decision of the committee to allow Ireland to opt into the negotiations before midnight today, 10 June 2009. As such a decision was not made, there is no point in discussing the agreement to opt into the negotiations. It should be emphasised that the possibility of adopting the measure remains available to Ireland. As I said earlier, I would not have a problem with providing for a discussion on this matter. Senator Regan is quite correct in that regard. I have outlined the instructions I am following at the present time. I will consult the leaders after the Order of Business. I would not have a difficulty with this issue being debated by the House. As Senator O'Toole has quite correctly said, Senators on all sides of the House are strongly of the view that Irish people should not be classified as second-class citizens, in any shape or form, when they travel to other countries. If this House can do anything to help those of us who are proud to be Irish, it will do so. We can be a trusted nation and a trusted people. I will provide for whatever amount of time is needed to allow colleagues to make their views known to the Minister.

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White and Bacik expressed strong views about the Ryan report. I am proud that this House discussed the Ryan report as soon as it became available. Outstanding contributions were made by many Senators during the debate, which took place on Wednesday, 27 May last. I understand that many other Senators would like to make their views known to the House. I will examine the schedule of sittings between now and 10 July to see when that can be done. It is clear from the schedule for today and the rest of this week that a huge amount of legislation is being dealt with in this House. Every minute of our time this week is being spent discussing legislation. Like all my colleagues in this House, I am pleased that two Bills are being initiated in the House this week. The primary objective of our membership of the House is to update, amend and pass legislation. I will endeavour to find time for a further discussion on the Ryan report before 10 July. I understand that one or two other reports will be submitted for our consideration before the end of the year. I assure Members that this House will not be found wanting when it comes to providing an adequate amount of time for contributions to debates on all such reports. I will make proposals, for the approval of the House, on all matters pertaining to these areas.

Senators O'Toole, Healy Eames, Ó Murchú and Mullen expressed strong views about the publication of an Irish language newspaper. I am glad that Senator Ó Murchú has informed the House that an urgent meeting on this matter is taking place today. We will await the outcome of the meeting and wish those who are deliberating on the issue well. I hope the newspaper can continue to be a strong voice for those interested in the Irish language, including people in Gaeltacht areas and people who want to learn the language.

Senators O'Sullivan and Walsh spoke about various road safety measures, including the Go Safe programme. Before the recent elections, Senator O'Sullivan correctly reminded the House that a company in Listowel with which he is familiar is providing a great opportunity for an additional 60 jobs to be created. It goes without saying that the road safety measures represent the essence of what we are all trying to achieve. The Road Safety Authority has shown an outstanding commitment to saving lives. I worked closely with its chairman, Gay Byrne, and its chief executive for four and a half years when I was Chairman of the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business. The then Ministers for Transport, Education and Science and Justice, Equality and Law Reform and their senior officials worked hard to bring about the huge amount of change that has taken place. Hundreds of lives are being saved on our roads each year as a consequence of the deliberations of such people, which led to the introduction of new measures. The joint committee system of the Oireachtas played a huge part in that. When Senator Ellis was Chairman of the Joint Committee on Transport in the last Dáil, I worked with him in my capacity as a committee Chairman to transmit the views of the Road Safety Authority and everyone concerned to the Government. We helped to improve road safety significantly over the past five to seven years.

Senator Mary White reminded the House of her strong support for the rights of older people. She suggested that BreastCheck services might not be available to people over the age of 64. The Senator has championed the rights of such people. It is good that people are living to a much greater age as a result of advances in medicine, health care and standards of living. Most people look after themselves better than they did some years ago. Good eating habits have been developed, for example. I agree with Senator White that in the past, men used to make most of the legislative decisions that affected women. The Minister for Health and Children has been exemplary in her championing of the cause of everyone living on the island of Ireland, regardless of whether they are male or female. I understand that Senator White is working closely with the Minister, Deputy Harney, in all of these areas. I thank her for bringing this issue to the attention of the House this morning. It is a priority for the House to do anything it can to relieve the plight of older people. We are all heading there one day. I certainly will have no difficulty in allowing the longest possible time in which to discuss the matter and assist Senator Mary White in her further deliberations. I thank her for the great documents she brings to the attention of the public, the media and every legislator in this area.

Senators Ross, Coghlan, Quinn, Regan and Buttimer all called for the Minister for Finance to update Members on the developments affecting the banking sector. I have no difficulty in making a commitment to the House that this will happen before 10 July. I note Senator Ross's views on the various appointments. As Senator Quinn has quite correctly pointed out, the new appointment of the 71 year old, one of the most experienced people in banking-----