Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

The Leader is not interrupted when speaking, as the Cathaoirleach will tell the Senator.

Senators Joe O'Toole, Déirdre de Búrca, Fidelma Healy Eames, David Norris, Shane Ross and many other Senators expressed their great concern about yesterday's High Court ruling. Given the separation of powers and the fact this case may be appealed to the Supreme Court, we should stand back. I will be advised by colleagues from all sides in regard to the request made to me. I will also discuss the request in respect of the family concerned with any colleague after the Order of Business. The deliberations of the Seanad have always had to take into account the separation of powers.

Senator Alex White expressed serious concerns about legislation coming before the House. The Government informs the Leader of impending legislation but if there is no legislation I try to arrange for Ministers to come to the House for debates requested by Senators. As I stated, the Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Mary Hanafin will be in the House today and tomorrow, which is an acknowledgement of the importance of debates in the Seanad.

I consider the 70th anniversary of the Constitution a milestone in the success of our country and an acknowledgement of the vision of Éamon de Valera, the founding member of Fianna Fáil, and of the serious part he played in compiling it. I will lead the debate on this immediately after the Order of Business.

Senator Alex White called for a debate on e-mail, the Internet and on the retention of information for three years. I have no problem arranging for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to come to the House to discuss this matter.

Senators Déirdre de Búrca, John Paul Phelan, Shane Ross and many other Senators expressed their shock at the announcement of the loss of 350 jobs in Arklow from next year. As Senator Déirdre de Búrca correctly pointed out, we are losing jobs because of low-cost economies. I visited many countries as Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business during the last Dáil. These Third World countries are the greatest opponents the IDA and Enterprise Ireland face because of the educational improvements in them. I will arrange for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to come to the House to update us on what can be done in this regard. Last week I attended the meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment at which the successful Enterprise Ireland report was debated.

Senators Labhrás Ó Murchú, David Norris, Terry Leyden, Cecilia Keaveney, Rónán Mullen, Jerry Buttimer and many other Senators expressed concern about RTE discontinuing its medium wave service, particularly in regard to Irish emigrants in the UK and all the great programmes which are so uplifting such as "Ceili House", "Fáilte Isteach", the GAA games on a Sunday, other sporting events broadcast only on medium wave, Mass on a Sunday morning and the services of other denominations. I will endeavour to arrange an urgent debate on this issue next week.

Senator David Norris raised the funding of the national marine conservation and education centre and referred to the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent. I will come back to the Senator this evening on the updated position. I will also endeavour to come back to him on the Civil Partnership Bill.

Senator Terry Leyden referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Hamilton, and expressed his views on the situation regarding our colleague, Councillor Fahey from Galway. As the Senator is aware, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is independent and it would be unfair of me to give an opinion on this but I will discuss it with him after the Order of Business.

Senators Eugene Regan and Fergal Quinn called for a debate on the Lisbon Treaty and the referendum. I will arrange for it to take place and will discuss a timeframe with the leaders after our meeting tomorrow morning.

Senator Regan expressed his appreciation of the importance of the Taoiseach's visit to Washington later this year. The Taoiseach is one of only five world leaders to address the UK Parliament and the United States Congress. It is a historic occasion and it is only right that perhaps the Cathaoirleach and I, as Leader, should represent this House in Washington.