Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

My apologies. He acts on behalf of the citizens of the city of Dublin and I want to note Senator Norris's opinions.

As requested by Senator Cummins, I will inquire as to when the Prison Service report will be published.

Senator Ó Domhnaill asked that the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism attend the House regarding the proposals for the 2012 Olympic Games. It is a worthwhile request because Ireland can benefit greatly from the games, particularly in light of our tourism facilities, such as hotels, swimming pools and infrastructural investment. I have no difficulty with setting aside time for that debate.

Senator O'Donovan called for a debate on the Cork-Swansea ferry service. As he comes from south-west Cork's coastal area, I will accede to his request.

Regarding the OECD report, Senator Hanafin congratulated the Taoiseach and the Government on Ireland's position among the top ten countries in terms of GDP and on the work done to make Ireland the number one destination in terms of quality of life. He recommended that people should choose Ireland as a destination.

Senator Buttimer called for a debate on mental health, for which I can have time set aside. I congratulate him on his recent book launch in Cork, which I believe was successful.

Senator Quinn called for a debate on Northern Ireland. The House always has a debate on Northern Ireland at least once a year and it would be timely to have one soon. Those of us who were in Oxford last week and are members of the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body will know the importance of how we have progressed and come to where we are today over the past number of years. I am also a member of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. I assure Senator Quinn that anything that needs to be done and addressed will be.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, has agreed to come to the House to a debate on foreign affairs matters. I made a request this morning to see if the Taoiseach's diary has time for him to address the House. If it does not, such a debate can be taken in the new year.

I share Senator Quinn's sentiments on how we both in the North and South can purchase each other's products to assist each other. I understand this has been done in the construction industry over the past seven years. It is an example to many other jurisdictions which had major difficulties with their past histories.