Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Where is the one who does not love the land where they are born? The Senator, along with his friend, Deputy Healy-Rae, will be pleased to hear who will be looking after them for the next four years.

Senator Keaveney spoke about the problem being experienced in County Donegal. It is not possible to indicate at this stage when the animal health Bill, to update the animal diseases legislation, will be published. However, I will keep the House informed as the Bill progresses through drafting. The Senator also had a suggestion as to where the Seanad should sit. That is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. If the Senator wishes to pursue her suggestion, she should write to the Cathaoirleach, who is the Chairperson of the committee.

Senator Norris asked me to convey his views to the Minister for Foreign Affairs with regard to tariffs and the other issues he highlighted. I will do that.

Senator Callely again asked about questions he raised on the Order of Business and he also raised the issue of support. The Taoiseach has back-up in the Dáil, with civil servants sitting at his right hand side when he takes the Order of Business and Leaders' Questions. The job of the Leader in the Seanad is to order the business of the House and to take note of queries and urgent matters raised by Senators and pass them to the various Ministers, which I do each day through my secretariat. There is also the issue of urgent debates on matters of importance to the nation. We decide that on a weekly basis and I consult with the leaders of all groups for half an hour before the first sitting day each week. We do that in an orderly manner and try to secure consensus on an all-party basis. The system has been working successfully.

However, I will take Senator Callely's proposals to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. Perhaps the Seanad reform proposals could address the matters which the Senator raised this morning. I accept the bona fides of his request and will endeavour to progress it.

We will consider Seanad reform after the summer recess. It is one year into the term of this Seanad and we have established the areas that need to be addressed. There is a new Taoiseach and Government in place, so it would be timely to consider Seanad reform in October and November and perhaps produce a proposal for Government before Christmas. It is a matter on which the assistance of all Senators will be required. We wish to make our presence more relevant and to help the Government, Departments and the various Ministers to ensure the country's future success. I look forward to receiving the views and proposals of all Senators on this issue.

The debate on Burma will take place after the Order of Business next Tuesday. Senator Callely suggested that the earthquake in China be included in that debate. We have seen the devastation being endured by the poor people of China on our television screens. It is appalling and one's heart goes out to them. It makes one realise how fortunate we are that this part of the world does not have the dreadful events being experienced by those poor unfortunate people. I will include China in that debate on Tuesday.

Senator Glynn sought a debate on fish stocks in the lake county and the abuses occurring there. I had put in a request to the Minister but as there has been a change of personnel, it will probably be a few weeks before the new Minister's diary will facilitate a visit to the House.

Senator Regan spoke about the World Trade Organisation negotiations. This is due to be discussed next Wednesday in the presence of the new Minister, Deputy Brendan Smith. Various points were made this morning by a number of Senators, particularly Senator Regan, about our veto. I am sure the Minister will clarify the issue on Wednesday. Senator Regan, along with Senator Jim Walsh, also sought a debate on the ESRI report on the medium-term economic outlook. That would be timely and I will allocate time for it.

Senator Ó Murchú and Senator Donohoe spoke of the successful debate yesterday with the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, on rural development. I can organise another debate on the subject. When one considers that one third of the population lives in rural Ireland while 50% of the other two thirds of the population are people from rural areas living in the cities and larger towns, most people can identify with this issue, although the success in our quality of life is due to people from all parts of Ireland, be they rural or urban.

Senator Ó Murchú raised the issue of one-off rural housing. It would be timely to examine this issue. We might consider the experience with the Westmeath county development plan. A new county development plan was produced for 2008 to 2013. The councillors had another look at it a month later, realised the definitions and terms might not be what they had intended, appointed a sub-committee with representatives from each political party and fine-tuned the plan and brought it in last Monday week. My dear colleague, the late Tom Cowley, who died last week, was one of those who popularised the idea that young people deserve to be able to live in the place of their birth. Most Members of the Seanad support that idea, regardless of whether they come from rural or urban areas. Given that local authority members elect us as legislators to this House, we need to support them when they put these plans in place. I agree with the request made by Senators Ó Murchú and Donohoe for a lengthy debate, perhaps a half-day debate, with the Minister on how best to meet the challenges we will encounter in this area.

Senators Ryan and Donohoe are 50% right and 50% wrong with the point they make about the Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008. The first day of the Committee Stage debate on the Bill was a week ago. I have been impressed by the contributions made by all Senators, including transport spokespersons, during the debate on the legislation. The Minister accepted amendments on Committee Stage because he was impressed by the genuine proposals being made. When the Committee Stage debate did not conclude a week ago, it had to be resumed on Tuesday of this week. Senators Ryan and Donohoe have suggested that the timeframe that was set out did not afford them a chance to propose amendments, for genuine reasons. I remind the House that as the Bill was initiated here, it will return to this House after it has been considered by the Dáil. We are aware that the Minister has an open mind on the Bill. When legislation is being handled by a Minister with such an attitude, it is worth making proposals when it returns to the House. I ask Senators for their co-operation in this area.

Senator Ryan suggested that the Bill might stay in the Dáil for three or four months, but I understand that the Dáil is likely to conclude its consideration of it before the summer recess. It will return to this House in the first week of July, which is the final Seanad sitting week before the recess. I assure the House I will grant Senators Ryan and Donohoe any extra time that is needed at that stage. I thank them for their participation and co-operation in respect of this legislation.

I remind the House that another Bill, the Broadcasting Bill 2008, will be initiated in the Seanad next week. It will be considered by Senators on Second Stage next Thursday. It is uplifting that so much legislation is being initiated in the House.

Senator McCarthy asked me to invite the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to come to the House to discuss ferry services and contracts. I have no difficulty setting time aside for such a discussion.

Senator Ó Domhnaill called on the Minister for Transport to participate in a debate in the Seanad on the issue of airport baggage charges. There have been many changes in the travel industry over the past 20 years. Michael O'Leary of Ryanair has made an immeasurable contribution to Ireland in that time. Ryanair has added to the attractiveness of Ireland as a tourist destination. When Irish people living in other countries wish to come home, they can do so less expensively. If my local team was in a county final 20 years ago, people could not afford to come home for the replay if the match ended in a draw. We now have affordable travel, thankfully. I accept that certain companies are trying to get a little extra from passengers by imposing baggage charges. I have no difficulty setting time aside so Senator Ó Domhnaill can discuss this matter.

Senator Donohoe has suggested that the House should debate the issues of house funding, public private partnerships and long waiting lists. It is a very good proposal. We will set time aside for a discussion. Perhaps Fine Gael will use its one remaining Private Members' business before the summer recess to initiate a debate on these matters. It will be difficult to meet all Senators' requests before the recess.

Senator Hanafin highlighted the dangers which may result from the serious position in which banks throughout the world currently find themselves as a consequence of sub-prime lending. The Senator mentioned a particular example that was highlighted by a bank official. I have no difficulty with having a debate on this subject.