Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole and O'Donovan expressed their serious concerns regarding public health services and, in particular, the purchase of an ultrasound unit by the staff of Beaumont Hospital. The example given by Senator O'Donovan can only reflect well on all those who participated. The strength of our community is always exemplified in fund-raising, no matter where it takes place. However, in view of the large amounts of funding being made available to the health services by the Government — more than €15 billion — the need to raise funds for a €24,000 purchase beggars belief, as the Senators correctly pointed out.

Senator Fitzgerald also mentioned bus services and asked for a debate on transport. I have agreed to have this debate and have been in touch with the Minister's office. I look forward to getting a favourable response for a date in the Minister's diary. I agree to the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senators O'Toole, Coghlan and Norris to allow the Credit Union Savings Protection Bill 2008 — First Stage and the Mental Capacity and Guardianship Bill 2008 — First Stage to be placed on the Order Paper and taken today. I seek the support of the House in this matter when I conclude my responding remarks.

Senator O'Toole expressed his views regarding the major extra funding that has been received by the Department of Education and Science under the leadership of the current Minister, Deputy Mary Hanafin. As I informed the House on the Order of Business, the Minister will be in the House on Thursday.

Senator O'Toole also expressed serious concerns about the way in which the Law Society deals with its members. Most Senators would support these views and share these concerns. For generations, our families have placed their trust in the legal profession and their local solicitors in dealing with family matters such as wills. A considerable amount of trust has been put in the exemplary group of people that are our legal representatives. However, we have now seen too many times for our liking the various abuses that are taking place in that profession.

Senators O'Toole, Coghlan and O'Donovan also expressed serious concerns regarding the proposed removal of radio stations from Malin and Valentia. I have given my word in the House that we will have a debate on this at the earliest possible opportunity, hopefully the week after next. I fully agree with the vote of confidence in these stations. As Senators O'Donovan, Coghlan and O'Toole — eminent Senators from the kingdom of Kerry and the rebel county of Cork — have quite correctly pointed out, these two stations are of the utmost importance to their local communities in terms of job creation. I have no difficulty in asking the Minister to come to the House to listen to the serious concerns and views of Senators about this proposal.

Senator Alex White and the Deputy Leader, Senator Dan Boyle, called on the Minister for Finance to consider the comments by our new cardinal, Cardinal Seán Brady, on public services and individual wealth in Ireland and also the need for a new vision in terms of the demands on Government for extra funding, including the possibility of small, minute increases in taxation. If we could get all-party agreement for a motion on this issue I certainly could allow a debate during Fianna Fáil Private Members' time in this session, of which, as we all know, there are only four weeks left before the Easter break.

Senator Boyle also called for a debate before the end of this month on the proposed removal by RTE of its medium wave services which are of considerable importance to senior citizens throughout the country and to our emigrants, especially in the UK.

I will have time left aside for this and can bring forward the Green Party's Private Members' time next week if this is possible in order that the Senator might be able to avail of having this issue discussed in the House. We have a very busy schedule with legislation in the House next week.