Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

We were all family at one time, as Senator O'Reilly knows.

The young Deputies who were appointed to office such as the new Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, have been presented with a great challenge and opportunity. I congratulate the new Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Coughlan, who has become the first female Fianna Fáil Tánaiste. Her family has suffered more than that of any other Member in order to remain involved in politics and public life. The constituency of Donegal South-West has its challenges but is populated by terrific, dedicated, friendly and loyal people. I wholeheartedly congratulate the Tánaiste on her appointment.

I also congratulate the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, on his appointment to that office. He is presented with a serious challenge as we deal with the global economic downturn. I wish him well. As Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, he was courageous and outstanding. The 25 new Members who joined this House last year, particularly Senator Harris as he noted in his Sunday newspaper articles, were full of praise about Deputy Brian Lenihan's contribution as Minister.

As colleagues will know, it takes a new Minister at least two to three weeks to read into his brief. It had been the custom over the years that after a new Government was appointed, both Houses went into recess for a week. That has not happened on this occasion because we are changing Taoiseach and Government after 12 months of the five-year term. Sittings for next week will be on Wednesday and Thursday, and the business of the House will be discussed with leaders after the Order of Business this morning. I thank colleagues and the Whips for their understanding and help during the changeover.

All the congratulations given to our former Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, could not be enough for what that man has done. I know that we look forward to his immense contribution over the next ten or more years that he will be available to serve our country in whatever capacity the people of Ireland decide at the appropriate time.

Calls have been made today and yesterday on the subjects for debate, with which I agree, especially those regarding the environment and economy. I will endeavour to facilitate a debate here on the economy at the earliest opportunity. The same is true for a debate on justice, in particular with Senator Twomey calling for a debate on the Morris tribunal report. I can help that to take place, and I will discuss it with our new Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, who played a dynamic role in the Department of Foreign Affairs. I realised only too well on visits last week to Washington how highly regarded he is by his peers, no matter where we go.

Senators O'Toole and Hannigan acknowledged the long service and dedication of former Cathaoirleach, Rory Kiely — whom the Cathaoirleach correctly welcomed — and suggested that titles should be retained. Former Senator Des Hanafin, who served here for many years, always maintained that someone, once a Senator, was always a Senator. We should consider that option and how we can progress the possibility during the Seanad review. Perhaps the former taoisigh could have right of audience, as has been suggested by Senator Hanafin and on many occasions in the House, and perhaps the immense contributions made by people such as former Cathaoirligh, Brian Mullooly and Rory Kiely — they were in the Houses yesterday, and Rory Kiely is still with us this morning — could be harnessed and put to good use in enhancing the operations and business of the Seanad.

Senators Keaveney and Quinn referred to the opportunity provided by the big investment conference taking place in the North of Ireland. Our Taoiseach is attending that this morning, as is the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. Hard work has been put in to ensuring that some key players from the US attend. The new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, was a dedicated Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I had the great honour and privilege of visiting many countries all over the world with him to enhance the portfolio of his Department. I presume he will also attend the conference.

The suggestions regarding the conference by Senator Keaveney could be developed to the advantage of the people of Donegal and the Border region in general. The 12.5% corporation tax rate is available in counties Monaghan, Leitrim, Sligo, Donegal and Louth. All of the Border county areas are next-door parishes to the events in the North of Ireland. As we know, they suffered terrible disadvantage and the BMW region had to be created to acknowledge that. I have often heard it said in these debates that little activity — or the perception of little activity — happening north of the line from Dublin to Galway was a serious concern for all of us who live in the BMW region.

This is an ideal opportunity considering the advantages that we have in all these areas, including the 12.5% corporation tax rate, as those of us who live in parishes next to the Border are aware. Senator Wilson, the Whip, and many other Senators are from the Border region. We will seek to enhance the debate on how we can attract investment into those areas along with our colleagues in Northern Ireland.

Senators Bradford and John Paul Phelan called for a debate on all the health services, as did Senator Healy Eames yesterday. I have agreed that we will hold a wide-ranging debate about the Health Service Executive and all matters pertaining to health issues.

Senator Kelly also mentioned Burma. It is my intention that, after the Order of Business, we can agree an all-party motion on Burma. I welcome the decision to allow the United States to bring relief into Burma, which I read about in the newspaper this morning. It is urgently needed. It is a disaster of monumental proportions, and the world must unite to tackle it. It is an easy process for the leaders in this House to table an all-party motion for the Order of Business next Wednesday. We commit ourselves this morning to doing that.

Senator O'Donovan called for the new Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to have a debate on agriculture. He pointed out the serious threat to the Lisbon treaty. I share the Senator's views on that, and I will endeavour to have the new Minister, Deputy Brendan Smith, in the House within the next two weeks so that Members can express their concerns and views, particularly the strong views that the farming community has on the position taken by Commissioner Mandelson and the Commission's approach to agriculture in Ireland. I hope the debate will take place in the next two weeks.

Senator Hannigan yesterday mentioned the subject of mining and I give a commitment that we will have a debate on it, especially the plight of the Ballingarry and Tara mining workers.