Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Cannon and Carty offered their congratulations to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Coughlan, on REPS 2 and 3, and those 6,000 hard-pressed farmers concerned with payments. It is good news and I join them in offering congratulations. I have an update on this matter and I will inform the House tomorrow morning on the position on REPS 4. I take the position of Senators Cannon and Carty in trying to bring pressure on the EU and to support the Minister for two payments to be made to improve the cashflow of the hard-pressed farmers.

Senators Ormonde, Donohue, Leyden, de Búrca and Ross expressed their views and concerns on the Lisbon treaty. I wish to join with Senator Ormonde in welcoming the support of the IFA and the Dublin Chamber of Commerce for a "Yes" vote on the treaty.

I join with Senator Leyden, and the House, in wishing our troops well in their endeavour. As we will all be aware, the European Union is a force for peace. Ireland has a proud record of peacekeeping service around the world, having participated in 58 different missions. This is the 50th anniversary of Ireland's first participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions and EU peacekeeping missions with the United Nations support have already taken place in Indonesia, in the western Balkans and in Palestine. We all can feel proud. Many of us live in constituencies where there is more than one arm of the Army. There are three in my constituency of Longford-Westmeath — in Athlone, Mullingar and Longford. Longford-Westmeath is also Senator McFadden's constituency. We understand the important role of the Army. I support the great work it is doing and wish our Armed Forces well in their endeavour.

With regard to the arrangement of a date for the President of the European Commission to come to the House to discuss the forthcoming referendum on the Lisbon treaty, I understand that it will be the first week we return after Easter, which I hope will be Tuesday, 8 April. That is the date which is convenient for his diary.

Senator Quinn comes to the House with a wonderful track record of achievement in Ireland and I must take his views seriously. He brought to the attention of the House the difficulties being experienced at Shannon Airport regarding flight activity. I was in London on Monday and three flights were cancelled in the afternoon because of the difficulties being experienced. There is considerable credibility at stake here in maintaining continuity and in everyone wanting their flights on time. I sympathise with those who have a grievance but given the position in which Shannon finds itself, it needs all the help and assistance it can get. Ultimately, everyone must get around the table and perhaps this should be the kernel to the success of Shannon for the future. I am fully confident that Shannon has a great future. It has made a marvellous contribution over the past 50 years or more since it was set up.

Senator Keaveney called for an update in the House on North-South ministerial meetings. This is a worthwhile proposal. Senator Keaveney and I are members of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, which meets tomorrow. I have already agreed with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, that he come to the House on matters pertaining to foreign affairs and I hope I will be able to inform the House next week when he will be coming to the House to update us on North-South ministerial meetings and other matters relating to foreign affairs.

Senator Donohue called for a debate on economic growth. I have no difficulty in providing time for that. It is opportune because we can reflect on our success, particularly over the past ten years. We can look forward to the new Minister of State with responsibility for innovation policy, Deputy Michael Ahern, attending the House to participate in such a debate and outline the hopes of the new ministry, particularly with regard to the report published last week.

Senator Donohue also called for a debate on homelessness and alcohol abuse, and Senator Callely supported this. I have no difficulty in providing time for that.

Senator Prendergast and Feeney called for a debate on the problem that now exists in the psychiatric hospitals, particularly in the case of beds for adolescent patients. I will pass the Senators' views on to the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. If the Minister is in the House in the next week or so, perhaps this can be brought to her attention by the Senators.

Senator Ellis congratulated the Garda Síochána on its checkpoints for drug and substance abuse. As I stated previously, it was the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business that made this recommendation on substance abuse and I want to be associated with the Senator's congratulations in that regard.

I also want to be associated with Senator Ellis's proposal that the Garda Síochána seriously consider making sniffer dogs available at late-night venues, as is successfully the case in Scotland. These should include not only entertainment venues but all late-night venues such as eating establishments where there is much activity into the early hours of the morning.

Senator Coffey called for a debate, with the relevant Minister present, on the importance of our ports and the roll-out of their development. I have no difficulty with allocating time for that.

Senator Doherty pointed out the importance of Malin and Valentia coastguard stations. I made a commitment on that yesterday and I will endeavour to have the debate take place as a matter of urgency within the next two to three weeks. The Senator can rest assured that this is a priority item of business for the House between now and Easter.

Senator Doherty also expressed his concerns on the collusion issue. As Senators know, we have statements today on the report from the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights on violent incidents arising from the conflict in Northern Ireland. Spokespersons will have 12 minutes' speaking time and all other Senators will have eight minutes. If the issue needs to be rolled over, depending on the number of Senators offering, I have no difficulty with that. We can review progress with 20 minutes or half an hour to go in the debate.

Senator Buttimer called for debate on how we celebrate St. Patrick's Day. This is a worthwhile proposal and perhaps we can discuss it during the tourism debate and make St. Patrick's Day a central issue for tourism. Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and all Ministers home in on that time of year. With regard to promoting Ireland abroad, the festival comes at a good time of the year and we get enormous value for money from it. It opens the doors in all our embassies and consulates and everyone becomes involved in promoting Ireland at that time. The suggestion is a very worthwhile one and I will ensure the debate takes place at the earliest possible time.

Senator Carty asked whether there was price fixing given the cost of veterinary drugs. I will pass on his views to the Minister. That issue could be included with a debate on agriculture.

Senator Norris called for one hour to be allowed next week to debate No. 16, motion 35 on the Order Paper. I have no difficulty with the allocation of that time and it will be on the Order of Business on one of the three days next week. He also raised the issue of the Zambian Government and donations from Ireland. He asked about the money trail, the intent behind the donations and how they were used. That is a difficult issue. I will pass the Senator's views on to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and see what response we get.

Senator Norris was just one of many Senators who asked about funding for the Feis Ceoil festival. Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú, who has significant experience and expertise in this area, correctly pointed out that the Arts Council has €80 million to disburse. I am sure the particular event should and will get the due recognition and funding it deserves, but if it does not, we want to know about it. The spirit and importance of festivals and events such as this are what contribute to lifting up the spirits of the people. It is good for everyone Irish to celebrate the traditions of previous generations. Ireland is one of the few countries in the world whose music is a trademark. Few countries can say that, but Ireland can.