Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I wish to clarify again that Private Members' business will be taken from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today. I want to say comhghairdeas to Seanadóir Mark Daly and Mr. Des Bishop for what they have been doing concerning the Irish language. Mr. Bishop's presence at the committee this morning was very uplifting for the language. I can only agree with the views of various Senators as to what Mr. Bishop has contributed so far. I also include our new Taoiseach in this regard because he has also lifted the language to a new plane. He has got the plain people of Ireland interested in the language again because he is a rural representative and a man of the people. The public are extremely impressed by his contribution to the Irish language so far.

Over the past 50 years, the situation has never looked better for the Irish language than it does now, as so many people are taking our language seriously. I congratulate everyone concerned. Down through the years, many eminent Senators have made an immeasurable contribution to the language, including Senators Ó Murchú and O'Toole in the current Seanad. In response to Senator Fitzgerald's request, I will allow an all-day debate on the Irish language with the new Minister. In fairness, previous Seanaid always held a major debate on the Irish language once a year. We have not had such a debate in this Seanad but I will try to arrange one before the summer recess.

As regards the plight of the unfortunate Burmese people, hopefully the all-party motion will be on the Order Paper tomorrow. The Minister for Foreign Affairs will be in the House from 3.45 p.m. to 4.45 p.m. for statements next Tuesday.

I congratulate all the newly appointed Ministers of State. I thank the former Ministers of State, Deputies Browne, Gallagher and Michael Ahern who have been most helpful in assisting this House in its deliberations during Private Members' time, on statements and in dealing with legislation. They have been of great assistance to the affairs of this House. They are great colleagues and I look forward to working with them in committees, in their roles as chairpersons, vice-chairpersons or in whatever way the Taoiseach may see fit to use the enormous experience they have gained over the past ten to 15 years in their ministerial portfolios.

I congratulate the new Ministers of State, Deputy John Moloney, who is a great friend, Deputy Peter Power who has been elevated to the Foreign Affairs portfolio, and Deputy Curran who has been appointed as Minister of State with responsibility for tackling drug abuse, which is a major task. I wish them well. Two former Members of this House, Deputies Finneran and Mansergh, were elevated yesterday as Ministers of State. On my first day as Leader back in 1997, I proposed the then Senator Finneran as spokesperson on Finance. I wish him well in his new role. He has vast experience, particularly in the area of local government. Over the past 25 years, Deputy Mansergh has worked closely with three former Taoisigh. He was offered the position of special advisor by another Taoiseach but declined to accept it. He has been held in high regard by all Taoisigh over the past quarter of a century. He is an eminent person who I am sure will make an immeasurable contribution to his new Department and in particular the arts portfolio. He is well respected and highly regarded in the areas of heritage and the arts.

I agree with Senator Norris that we would all love to the see the new Abbey Theatre on the Parnell Street end of O'Connell Street. Senator Norris has been championing that part of the city centre, along with the former Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern. Many of us who have an interest in that area would like to see the Abbey Theatre being relocated there, in proximity to Belvedere College, the Mater Hospital and Croke Park. It would be lovely to see the national theatre being situated there. Within the next two weeks, I hope the Minister will attend the House to debate what opportunities there may be in this regard.

Senator Hannigan and others expressed their views on the ESRI report, which is very uplifting. The report has come at an opportune time for the Seanad because tonight we will have statements on economic achievements from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Senators will be able to give the Minister the benefit of their advice and experience, as well as debating how they wish to see the country progressing in future. Today's ESRI report holds out bouquets for former Ministers for Finance, including in particular former Deputy Charlie McCreevy, the former Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, and our present Taoiseach, Deputy Cowen. They have presided over the Finance portfolio during the past ten years. The ESRI report must be a great bonus as it shows that the fundamentals are sound in Ireland, despite the global economic downturn. We will all be able to contribute to the debate on the Fine Gael motion later today.

Senators Doherty, Donohoe, de Búrca, Regan and Hanafin all called for an urgent debate on agriculture and clarification of the Lisbon treaty in particular. Clarification is urgently needed in that regard. I am pleased to inform the House that this debate will take place at 11.45 a.m. next Wednesday morning. All Senators should note that in their diaries. While not wishing to pre-empt the issue, I understood that one could not put a poster on a pole without identifying the individual, group or political party involved. The Referendum Commission has a duty to look into this matter. On the way from Mullingar to Dublin, I saw two types of "No" poster with no names on them. I stand open to correction, but I understood that this is illegal. I will be asking my secretariat today to seek clarification from the Referendum Commission and I will inform the House of the outcome tomorrow morning.