Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators O'Toole, Healy Eames and Regan correctly pointed out to the House issues on the Charter of Fundamental Rights, workers, the achievements of the European trade union movement, the advantages of the Lisbon treaty and those who support the "Yes" vote related to trade union and workers' rights. I agree with the sentiments expressed and at our next leaders group meeting I will endeavour to see how we can enhance this proposal. I agree with the sentiments expressed on the affairs of the President and we have had the views of some very experienced Senators in this area this morning.

Senator Prendergast spoke on the units in Cork University Hospital and Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin and everything pertaining to the concerns of parents and the services for children in these magnificent hospitals. I have no difficulty in having further time left aside for the Senators' views particularly on matters pertaining to the HSE. We will have an update from the HSE and a debate on all matters pertaining to the HSE, but particularly on Senator Prendergast's issue, before the summer recess.

Senators Coffey, Cummins, Ormonde, Hannigan, Norris and Bradford called for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Mary Coghlan, to come to the House to debate the position in which Waterford Crystal finds itself. We all will be aware of the world-class product that is Waterford crystal, the world brand name that Waterford Crystal has established and the amount of endeavour that has been put into this company. The success of this Irish company has been almost unprecedented worldwide. I can only think of one or two others that have had the success of Waterford Crystal.

I am endeavouring for the past hour, with the Government Whip, Senator Diarmuid Wilson, to see if we can provide time for this debate at some stage today. I will return to the House at 12 o'clock, after the Order of Business has concluded, to update the House on our progress. I am endeavouring to have this debate take place some time between 1.45 p.m. and 3 o'clock but if that is not possible and if it is possible at all, it will take place at 7 o'clock. I am endeavouring to ensure this debate will take place. This is a request on an urgent matter and I certainly fully support the call this morning of Senators from all sides of the House. The plight of the workers is important but the continuation of the company and the brand name for our country is vital.

Senator Callely called for a debate on local authority housing, particularly in the city and county of Dublin, and also on homelessness. On the homelessness aspect, there is no difficulty in holding such debates in the House but matters as urgent as this can be discussed in the relevant committee charged with the various portfolios of Ministers every week. Members of the committee who are Senators can play a big part in assisting with the difficulties of various groups, as Senator Callely pointed out, to push these issues along and get responses from Ministers who attend the committee meetings on a weekly basis.

Senators Ross and Coghlan called for an urgent debate on financial regulations, particularly on the Companies Acts and insider dealing. This is an urgent matter which needs to be debated. We are at an advanced stage with a new companies Bill, which I understand contains in the region of 1,280 to 1,400 sections. It will be the largest legislation to be presented before both Houses of the Oireachtas in 70 years. I will endeavour, with the Leaders, to have a debate take place within the next week on this issue Senator Ross raised correctly in the House. It is an important area that needs to be addressed urgently and this House must not be found wanting in this regard.

Senator Daly asked that I send best wishes to US Senator Ted Kennedy on his recent illness. On behalf of the House, as Leader, I join in wishing Senator Kennedy well and, hopefully, a speedy recovery. The Kennedys, and Senator Kennedy in particular, have been outstanding friends of Ireland in times of great need. Their achievements lifted us up, as a nation, from 1963, in particular, when the late President John F. Kennedy, his brother, visited Ireland. That was the start of the Ireland of today that we all know. It was a privilege and an honour for me, and Senators Daly and Walsh, to accompany the Taoiseach and the Ministers to the historic proceedings in the House of Representatives and to be greeted and received so warmly by Senator Kennedy for our stay in Washington. I wish him well and look forward to meeting him again, please God, on another occasion.

Senator Hannigan highlighted that the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, announced yesterday €425 million in Leader funding which, with other funding, could be brought up to €1.7 billion. I welcome the announcement by the Minister. As 95% of my local electoral area is in CLÁR, we certainly are looking forward to getting our fair share of Leader funding. It is only under such funding that the areas that have lost 50% of their population over the past 75 years can really get their fair share and play a major part. Senator Hannigan's constituency and mine are similar and I fully agree with his sentiments in this area.

Senator John Hanafin called for a debate on commodity prices and the cost of oil. Senator Healy Eames also raised this matter. As oil prices increase, energy costs increase. As energy costs increase, food costs increase. We must look at what is really happening. The consumer price index fell last month from 5% to 4.5%, but the cost of oil, and particularly diesel for those of us who have such cars, at the filling stations has risen astronomically. We should have an all-party debate in this House on why prices are increasing so rapidly when one considers, as Senator Bradford pointed out to the House, that the dollar is falling against the euro. I will return to the Leaders of the various groups to see how soon we can have this debate take place.

Senator Norris called for a debate on the National Roads Authority. This will probably be touched on this evening in the Fianna Fáil Private Members' motion on Transport 21. I would hope the Senator would air his views at that debate this evening. There are only five sitting weeks left, if one disregards the week of the referendum. There is only so much business we can do in the House.