Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I have no difficulty allocating time for this urgent topic.

The three Donegal Senators called for an urgent debate on the employment challenges facing the county yesterday in the House to which I responded, although I understand that is not what is being reported on the airwaves. When I replied, I included the request for a debate on the BMW region by Deputy Healy Eames and the challenges and workings of the IDA. Many Senators have expressed serious concerns about the challenges ahead. If we are all honest about it, the greatest challenge facing the Government and ourselves, as parliamentarians, is competitiveness. As a former chairman of the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business, I visited many countries that had advantage on Ireland, but we have been the world leaders in turning around an economy. All political parties played their part and all of us can taken kudos from that but now we must ascertain where we will go for the next ten or 15 years. I intend to bring the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to the House for a half day debate so that he can listen to the views of Members who may be able to assist in framing policy for the next ten years.

Senator McDonald called for a debate on investment in the south-east. This would be a worthy debate and it could be taken when the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment comes to the House. I congratulate the Senator on her appointment by the Taoiseach as spokesperson on equality and law reform. Both she and Senator Bacik called for a debate on equality and gender balance and I will allocate time for that.

Senator Hannigan called on the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to update the House on broadband provision. As he stated, it is a necessary tool of work for everyone in Ireland plc. I have no difficulty allocating time for this but, perhaps, the Labour Party could use its private Members time next week to bring the debate forward. Senator White could discuss this with his party Whip and a two-hour debate could be held next week, which would be helpful to all Members.