Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, Donohoe, Hanafin, Norris, Harris, Walsh, Doherty and many others called for a debate on transport. Senator Hanafin called for a debate on integrated ticketing, in particular, which should have been introduced long ago. I have no difficulty in having a debate with the Minister for Transport on this serious matter. I hope, like all Senators, the bus strike will end as soon as possible, particularly given that the 60,000 people are inconvenienced by it. The mechanisms are in place for that to happen and everybody would like the dispute resolved.

The Carers Association launched its pre-budget campaign yesterday. On the first or second day of the session, I stated carers should be one of our priorities. They are the unsung heroes of our society and they make an immeasurable contribution 24 hours a day seven days a week. We should be wholeheartedly behind everything they do. As Senator Fitzgerald and others said, 5,400 young people provide care, which will stand them in good stead in the long term. During my lifetime, anyone who has looked after senior citizens has never gone too far wrong. They appreciate the value of what they are doing and they could not be doing something better. However, I hope these young people are not providing care at the expense of their education. One could not put one's spare time to better use than by looking after the older generation in our society.

Senator O'Toole sought a debate on the Irish language and he raised a number of issues. I made a commitment in this regard on the Order of Business yesterday. I could not agree more with him that when planning applications for infrastructure in Gaeltacht areas are made, they should be published in both languages at the same time on the same day. It is an insult to the people and to us in the Oireachtas that this does not happen. I will pass the Senator's views on to the relevant Minister immediately after the Order of Business and I will reply to him at the earliest opportunity.

Many Senators called on the Minister for Health and Children to come to the House for a debate on health issues. I have no difficulty with this and I will announce the business for the coming week at the conclusion of the Order of Business.

Senator Hannigan raised the launch of a new website for a regulatory authority for auctioneers and the opening of its new offices in Navan today. That is more good news for our constituency and I am pleased to be associated with it. I am heartened to hear the good news from the capital town in our constituency.

Senator Keaveney called for an input by Senators into North-South Ministerial Council meetings. I will contact the Minister for Foreign Affairs about this and I will come back to her on it.

As Senator Healy Eames will be aware, budgets are confidential. The Minister for Finance attended the House, as did his Minister of State, and Senators had an opportunity to make pre-budget proposals and submissions, which were very much appreciated, considering the time restraints on the Minister currently. I will pass on the Senator's views to him.

Senator Hanafin proposed that Sligo should be added to the list of centres of excellence and called on the HSE to give this consideration. He can make this proposal next Tuesday when the Minister for Health and Children attends the House.

With regard to Senator Norris's request yesterday for an update on the status of the Defamation Bill 2006, I contacted the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform who stated he is completing his consultations with the various interested bodies and intends to deal with the Bill in the near future.