Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

The Bishop of Meath kindly donated, on behalf of the diocesan trust, a state-of-the-art site at Killucan. This was badly needed because the population in the area has increased by 140%. We are awaiting the green light from the Department, which approved the building of a new school, to proceed with the next stage of this project.

Athlone has been waiting for a new community college for approximately 15 years. I played a pivotal role, along with the Minister for Education and Science, in ensuring the project would be announced during the final term of the previous Dáil. A new community college that will accommodate 1,000 students is to be built on the current site. I will ask the Minister how we might progress matters in respect of this new facility, which as already been sanctioned.

Senators Hanafin and O'Reilly inquired about climate change and the serious challenge the world faces in this regard. Senator Hannigan stated that the US is at long last taking up this challenge and is drawing up a master plan to reduce its emissions by 60%. Stronger and much larger nations have a massive responsibility in this area. The Indian ambassador came before the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment when I was its Chairman and stated that his country, which is friendly to Ireland, would be able to assist us and perhaps save the Exchequer a large amount of money. I will endeavour to discover where stands his offer at this stage.

I agree with Senators that we face a serious challenge. The major powers have not been as vigilant, determined or committed as small nations such as Ireland. We will do everything in our power to ensure progress in this area. There has been a major change of attitude in respect of this matter. I am extremely proud of the people of Ireland with regard to the way they are facing up to the challenge and responding to the leadership offered by the relevant Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and his Department in this regard.

Senator Walsh requested that the Minister for Finance come before the House to discuss his speech at the Indecon conference and the comments made by the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy McGuinness, regarding the contribution of the public service. I am sure that a debate on these matters would be welcome. A budget debate will take place in the House at 6 p.m. on Wednesday next. After the Order of Business, but before this morning's CPP meeting, perhaps I could meet the other leaders to discuss the time that will be required for that debate. I have no difficulty in bringing the point raised by Senator Walsh into the debate if the leaders of the other groups are in agreement.

Senator O'Reilly offered his best wishes to Cardinal Brady and congratulated everyone associated with his accession to higher office, particularly the Holy Father, who is responsible for appointing Ireland's third cardinal. I live three parishes away from Cardinal Brady who is a man of immense faith. We all wish him well and I look forward to working with him in the future. It was extremely uplifting to watch his investiture on television on Sunday morning last.

The power of religion is very important to every human being. Some people who reach low points in their lives return to their churches or their faiths. Religion could play a major role in combating the terrible plague of suicide. Many of the unfortunate people who are affected by suicide turn to religion. As the song says, "This world is not my home, I'm just passing through".