Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

There are some young colleagues who have to have a balanced approach in this House. I note some senior Members did not make a contribution because they knew what was coming down the track. We will meet with the leaders immediately after the election of the Leas-Chathaoirleach, if that is agreeable to them.

Regarding the horrific shooting yesterday morning, Garda Paul Sherlock is a married man with two young children. He was on the call of duty to protect all of us. What is happening in Ireland today is horrific. We should have an all day debate in the House to assist the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Garda Síochána and everyone concerned regarding the change of events that is happening mainly because of the evil of drugs. Drugs are the main cause of much of what we are seeing in terms of crime. The shipments are coming into the country. It is told to us, allegedly, that guns come with the shipments to try to protect them.

Let us have a debate in the House. As the eminent former Deputy and now Senator Twomey has just stated, let us make the Seanad meaningful in this regard and have an all day debate on the changing face of Ireland, society, crime and the challenges facing all of us as public representatives to do something on behalf of the people who elected us to this House. God knows it is an honour and privilege for us all to serve here and to try to assist in doing that. We must leave politics outside the door and do something about this as the Upper House of the Oireachtas. I will meet with the leaders to discuss when the Minister will be available. The Minister will be supportive in coming to the House to lead the way in having that debate.

I agree with all that has been expressed by many eminent colleagues here on the issue of Burma. This House supports our Minister for Foreign Affairs and the many views expressed here on the issue.

Senator O'Toole, along with Senators O'Reilly and Healy Eames, raised the issue of the management of primary education in Ireland. We can allow time for that to take place. I congratulate the Catholic Church for all it has done through the years in terms of giving us the opportunity to gain an education. We all know that without the church, none of us would have had a reasonable education let alone a decent one.

Senator Coghlan asked a question about the housing Bill. I am pleased to inform the Senator that publication is expected in early 2008. The Bill is to provide for a programme of social housing reforms aimed at improving services and their delivery, including strengthening local authority powers to deal with anti-social behaviour, expand the paths to home ownership for social housing tenants and provide for rental accommodation schemes. I understand the Bill is currently with the Parliamentary Counsel and will be published in early 2008.

Senators MacSharry, Phelan and Ó Domhnaill called for a pre-budget debate and statements in the House on matters pertaining to major concerns in all parts of our constituencies. I will endeavour to have the Minister, Deputy Brian Cowen, come to the House to allow that debate take place. Senator MacSharry also called for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to come into the House to address the national spatial strategy and concerns about his area. I will endeavour to have that happen.

Calls were made by Senators to have the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food attend in the House regarding the various challenges the Minister and the Department are currently experiencing. This is a matter of urgency also and I will consider when we can have that debate, possibly in the next two weeks.

Senator Quinn raised a worthwhile point regarding the workers on the M50. Those of us who come from the west and the south use the M50 to get to our place of work. I did not know they could not work on Saturdays or Sundays. I am aware it is rigidly enforced in Dublin in particular in that they can only work from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Someone told me that there is €500 million worth of machinery operating on the M50 currently and approximately 700 people working there as well. There is huge investment by everyone concerned and workers being unable to work on Saturdays or late in the evenings is a major concern. I will inquire into that with a view to determining if there is anything the Minister can do in that regard.

Senators Hanafin and Harris called for a debate on the Middle East. I can facilitate that worthwhile request. Senator Doherty called for the Minister for Health and Children to come to the House for a debate. The Minister will be in the House tomorrow and the points about the situation affecting medical card holders in Donegal can be made in his Second Stage contribution. I am aware the problem is of grave concern to everyone in that area. A high percentage of people have medical cards, especially since our Government brought in the measure giving medical cards to those over 70, and this situation is serious.

Senator McCarthy called for a debate on taxation. We can take that with the budget debate which was called for by other Senators. I have no difficulty with that.

Senators Bradford, O'Reilly and Ó Domhnaill called for a debate on the serious situation in which the 50,000 undocumented Irish in America find themselves. I agree to having a debate on that.

Senator Bradford called also for an update on decentralisation and the progress taking place. Those of us on this side of the House will be very pleased to allow that debate take place.

Senator Burke called for a debate on the building regulations and waste management. I can agree to have a debate on that also.

Senator Regan expressed strong views with which I did not agree. We have no problem regarding standards in public office. Fianna Fáil is the most progressive party in terms of all the legislation that has been introduced regarding standards in public office. The record speaks for itself. I will be delighted to allow that debate to take place.

Senator de Búrca referred to the tragic deaths of two firemen in Bray this morning. We express our condolences to their families. Like gardaí, firemen are frontline workers who are there to protect us and to make Ireland a safer place. As the son of a man who served in the fire service and helped to create it in 1946, and having had two brothers serve in the fire service over 30 years, I know the great loss these two families have suffered. I will certainly arrange for a debate to take place on this matter.

Senator Twomey called for a debate on cancer services. This can take place today during Fine Gael's Private Members' time or it would also be timely to discuss the matter when the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, comes to the House tomorrow. I recognise the expertise and professional experience the Senator can bring to this House. We will all listen attentively to his contributions.

I say to the leader of the main Opposition party, Senator Fitzgerald, that it is a joyous day given that we are to appoint the Leas-Chathaoirleach from her party. My party will not oppose this, as has been the tradition for 70 years. Since 1937, Fianna Fáil has always given the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach to the largest Opposition party. I ask the Senator to leave the issue of the current Shannon problem until the leaders meet following the appointment of the Leas-Chathaoirleach so that we can set a date for an urgent debate. As Leader, I will provide time for such a debate if the leaders agree and the Minister is available. The Minister is in the other House later today. I ask Senator Fitzgerald to withdraw the proposed amendment on this joyous occasion of the appointment of the Leas-Chathaoirleach.

I welcome the Shannon Airport staff who are present in the Visitors Gallery, although it is not a custom to acknowledge those in the Visitors Gallery.