Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Callely, Buttimer, Boyle, Quinn, O'Reilly and Hannigan expressed strong views on matters pertaining to the NDP and the challenges facing the Government. A debate will take place and, hopefully, the new Minister for Finance will attend at the earliest time.

Transport matters were highlighted by Senator Fitzgerald and Senator Quinn referred to speed cameras. I will endeavour to have the debate on that matter take place at the earliest opportunity.

Senator O'Toole sought an update on the proposed transfer of the Seanad from this Chamber to another part of the House. The Cathaoirleach will endeavour to establish the up-to-date position and come back to the Seanad on Wednesday, 18 June. I share Senator O'Toole's serious concerns. It was our clear understanding under the Cathaoirleach's stewardship that we would not leave the Chamber until work had commenced on the main building and we are all in agreement with that.

Senators O'Toole and Coffey raised their great concerns for the fishing industry. This has been highlighted many times by Senator O'Donovan. We are all concerned about this industry and I have no difficulty arranging such a debate. Senators Alex White, de Búrca, Regan, Norris, Boyle and Bradford all expressed their concerns and asked for the Taoiseach to look at the statement by the president of SIPTU, Jack O'Connor, in The Irish Times this morning to try to allay the fears of the workers in SIPTU. As a total of 40% of the members of SIPTU are Fianna Fáil, we will certainly pass on the views of the Senators to the Taoiseach after the Order of Business this morning.

In respect of the Dóchas report and people with disabilities, I certainly have no difficulty in having time left aside for a debate on this. Senator Coffey spoke about road safety, drivers, drink and drug driving and the challenges that face everyone out there. As I said earlier, I have no difficulty in having a debate on this, particularly in respect of county roads and bad bends. If the machinery, staff and employment are in place from November to January in some counties when work is scarce and money tight, one could do a lot with a digger and few trucks in respect of clearing the view on some of the bends if the finances do not otherwise exist. Members of the Opposition would know because nearly all the councils are under Opposition stewardship. To assist the Opposition in respect of this, I can say that we do this in Westmeath and it is very successful. We can get a considerable amount of good safety work done in those quiet months of the year.

Senator Daly highlighted his serious concern and made an apology to the Spanish ambassador in respect to the serious matters the Senator put on the record of this House. In my 27-year membership of the House, I have not heard a Senator make such a strong statement on behalf of the Irish people on many occasions. I have started inquiries following the highlighting of this incident yesterday and am awaiting a response to the serious position in which the Spanish ambassador found himself in respect of Valentia coast guard station which was highlighted by Senator Daly. Hopefully, we will have an update on this for the House on Wednesday, 18 June 2008.

Senators Bacik, Regan, Mary White, Hannigan, Norris and Quinn all spoke about the Lisbon treaty, while Senator Mary White spoke about the votes of women. It concerns the votes of women of all age groups and we should not be ageist in this respect. To reply to Senator Hannigan, I understand that 20%, not 10%, of the Government is female. I also understand that people are appointed to these positions on ability rather than gender, which is the way it should always be. Having said that, I certainly will pass on to the Minister the views of the Senators.

In response to Senator Bacik, I have no difficulty in having female genital mutilation debated here at some time in the near future. Senator Callely again asked me about issues relating to the HSE and the Department of Health and Children. When I get inquiries of this nature, I pass them on to the Minister in charge and I await a response like everybody else. Naturally, I get priority in respect of these matters but the method in the Dáil is different from that in the Seanad. I suggest that any Senator who is not familiar with Standing Orders should familiarise themselves with them. My door is open if they then wish to discuss any part of those Standing Orders they wish me to take to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, and I will be only too pleased to do so.

Senator Cummins inquired about the fair deal legislation. This is the health (long term residential care services) Bill which the Seanad knows is to provide for a new structure of financial support for persons requiring residential care in public and private nursing homes. I understand this is at a very advanced stage before publication. It is only a matter of weeks, and possibly not even that, before it will be published. I will come back to the Senator when I get an update on this. I agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator Cummins here this morning in respect of the urgency of this matter.