Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I would inform the House that the Senator has a few more continuous days of service to the Seanad than I, so I must recognise that this morning. Senator Ross is aware of it also.

Members have called on me to facilitate an urgent debate on all matters relating to the HSE. Since the Leader of the Opposition, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald raised this matter, my secretary has been in touch with the Minister's office on two occasions this morning. I am pleased to inform the House that the first available date for the Minister to attend the Seanad is Tuesday, 22 April, when we will have statements on the HSE and debate everything pertaining to the issues raised here this morning. These are urgent matters we all support. We all agree on the need for the HSE to give people the best possible service. Despite our stressing the urgency for such a debate, the Minister will not be available next week, unfortunately.

Senators O'Toole, Ó Murchú, Walsh, Prendergast and Keaveney called for an urgent debate, with the future Taoiseach, Deputy Cowen in attendance, on the total commitment given to the Irish language this morning at the special meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party. How uplifting and refreshing to hear such a commitment from the future Taoiseach, particularly for a Member of the House such as Senator Ó Murchú. We shall wait for an available date in Deputy Cowen's diary and then we shall have the statements in the House on the Irish language — and all matters requested this morning for him to deal with.

Senators Alex White, O'Reilly, Healy-Eames, Hannigan, Walsh and Hanafin spoke about the economy and called for an urgent debate on all matters pertaining to it. They mentioned what was happening as to employment and the global downturn. As we all know, ten years ago the unemployment figure was 11%. Today it is almost 5%. That is some transformation for a country that has experienced such high unemployment over the decades. I recall the high unemployment and high emigration 20 years ago. One of the major achievements of this Government in the past ten years was the creation of some 800,000 jobs. One third of all income earners are outside the tax net, as compared to 25% ten years ago and the entry point to the tax system for a single PAYE earner has risen from €5,804 to €18,300, a 350% improvement. In the tax year 1997-98 some 380,000 were exempt from tax. Today the figure is 878,000, an increase of more than 50%. The figures speak for themselves. I wanted to put the record straight regarding queries made of me this morning and statements in that regard.

On the remarks of my near neighbour, Senator O'Reilly, we are all concerned about agriculture. As stated in the House yesterday, I have agreed to have an all-day debate on the subject, including the World Trade Organisation talks. Senator O'Reilly will note that we are fortunate to have a Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from Ulster, Deputy Mary Coughlan, who understands exactly what he is saying this morning. The Minister has supported all the expressions of the good Senator regarding the serious implications for the Irish economy of even considering the Mandelson proposals, let alone accepting them. The Minister is fully opposed to what Commissioner Mandelson has been continuing to state on various occasions. Those of us who attended the WTO conference in Hong Kong two years ago could certainly recognise the concern of the Department and others about Commissioner Mandelson's proposals.

Senator de Búrca called for a debate on climate change with the future Minister for Finance. I propose that we have this debate and I certainly have no difficulty allocating time for it.

Senator Quinn asked three questions and called for a debate on the number of universities. This debate is very timely and I can allow for it. He also referred to the amount of paper being used in transactions in our offices. I will pass on his view to the Minister.

Senators Quinn, Callely, Ó Murchú and Walsh all supported fully our participation in the Olympic Games and supported the Olympic call. The most uplifting event of the very bad and bleak days of the 1950s was in 1956 when the great Ronnie Delaney won a gold medal in the Olympic Games. It was uplifting for every young boy and girl involved in sport, including myself. It was a great motivating factor for such a small nation. I certainly support the views of the four Senators and their requests for a debate.

Senators Healy Eames and Donohoe called for a debate on Garda funding and crime. We made a commitment in this regard in the House yesterday and the position remains unchanged. Senator Healy Eames also called for a debate with the Minister for Education and Science on third level education. I hope we can have a debate on education right across the board as soon as I can identify a suitable date in the Minister's diary.

Senators Corrigan and McFadden stressed the urgent need for a debate on mental illness. I made a commitment to Senator Corrigan on this topic in recent days and will try to honour it at the earliest possible date.

Senator Hannigan called for a debate on the update of broadband. I fully agree with his sentiments and certainly will try to organise such a debate.

Senator Norris's motion will be discussed in the House tomorrow morning, as agreed on the Order of Business yesterday.