Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I was pleased with the massive response to the debate on suicide prevention that took place in the House yesterday. However, many speakers did not have time to make their contributions and I will revisit the issue and allocate time for it to be discussed again before the Christmas recess. I thank the Senators for their considered and meaningful contributions, which I am sure will be helpful to the Minister in planning how to address this important challenge.

Senators Fitzgerald, Keaveney, Coghlan and Doherty expressed their serious concern about international child trafficking and the related serious challenges facing us. I will allocate time for a debate on this and will discuss it at the leader group meeting next Wednesday to ensure an early date. Senators O'Toole, Coghlan and Ross expressed their serious concerns about Aer Lingus and Shannon. Every Member of the House is concerned about the plight of the people of Shannon and the west. We will do what we can to assist in this matter. Aer Lingus is a worldwide brand name and the airline has huge potential for the future, and we wish to support it also. However, it would be wise to wait until the Minister receives the report and if there are other issues of which the House was unaware, they will have to be addressed. When the report is published I will invite the Minister back to the House to have a further discussion on this important matter.

Senators O'Toole and Hannigan referred to the Law Society and the various alleged breaches by members of that society which are reported in this morning's newspapers. The most important issue from the Law Society's point of view, as I said yesterday, is trust. Down through the years people have trusted solicitors, barristers, auctioneers and other professionals. They have been family and trusted friends. Generations of solicitors have handled the legal affairs of our forefathers in an honourable and decent way. Only a few have breached that trust and we cannot condone that. As in the case of the insurance inquiry, the experts are the people in the Law Society. They must urgently introduce corrective measures and we will assist them in any way we can. We will also assist the Minister in helping the Law Society. When it is opportune I will allocate time to discuss this. I will also take the advice of the newly appointed spokespersons who will be appointed to the various committees with regard to whether it should be dealt with in the committees as well as in the House.

Senator Hannigan expressed strong opinions about the ESB dispute. I will convey his views to the Minister. Senator O'Sullivan made two relevant points which every Member of the House can support, particularly with regard to the difficulties experienced by members of local authorities. They are expected to give a service. The officials are quite properly remunerated for their expertise and their time but the public representatives are not and should not be disenfranchised. I will take up this issue with the Minister and report back to the Senator. I also support the proposal regarding the Ballylongford gas station. The people of north Kerry and west Limerick are waiting with bated breath for this. They are well represented by Senator O'Sullivan on the issue.

I have known Senator Twomey for some time and have great respect for his expertise, ability and talent. I assure him I have done everything I can as Leader to have as many issues dealt with as possible. From 14 November the House will sit for three days each week and will sit for four days when necessary. The issues on which Senators are seeking debates will be addressed. The committee system will be in place from next week. That will be addressed before the conclusion of business in the House today, and Members will be appointed to the committees. I assure Senator Twomey that any matter prioritised by his party's leader in the House is receiving the utmost attention. If Fine Gael wishes to raise something of great importance, I am sure Senator Fitzgerald will facilitate Members in raising it in Fine Gael's Private Members' time. Where that is not possible, I will endeavour to facilitate the leader of the Fine Gael group, even if that entails sitting a few hours later in the evenings or for an extra day. I have no difficulty with that.

I was Leader of the House from 1997 to 2002 and in that time debate was never stifled. The House even sat until five o'clock one morning, and Senator Norris was the final speaker on one of those occasions. I take seriously the calls of Members for debates and statements but I expect in return, as happened yesterday, that Senators are properly and well prepared to make meaningful contributions when time is allocated for debates. In regard to the amendment proposed by Senators Bacik, Coffey and Norris to the Order of Business, the Minister of State at the Department of Finance is waiting to come into the House.

Senator Keaveney called for legislation to be made more friendly. I will consider her proposal with a view to seeing what can be done.

Senators Coffey and Ormonde called on the NRA to arrange for services to be provided on the routes which are transforming Ireland under the national development plan. As Senator Buttimer noted, the face of Ireland is changing because of the major infrastructure investments being made. While services are essential on longer routes, new challenges are arising from the opening of motorways, particular in the midlands, in that villages such as Tyrellspass, Kilbeggan and Miltownpass are losing their passing trade. Senators on the Joint Committee on Transport might make it their priority to help the people who elected them by investigating ways of linking some of these villages to service areas so that existing restaurants and filling stations can be extended.

Senator Boyle called for a debate on waste management, for which I can allow time. Senator Donohoe sought a debate which the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs with responsibility for integration policy. I have no difficulty in arranging that.

Senators Norris and Harris were in agreement for the second time, which is a wonderful achievement. They want the profile of this House to reach its full potential. I will raise the matter with the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to ascertain what progress can be made on it. I have no difficulty in meeting this challenge because if Dáil proceedings can be broadcast on TG4 for one hour every Thursday morning, why can we not have 40 minutes——