Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I look forward to playing my part in achieving this again in the next local election for the political party in the Midlands.

Senator Bacik called for a debate on women in politics. I have no difficulty in arranging this and I applaud anyone who encourages women, and young women in particular, to get involved in public life. It is a difficult life but it is rewarding to serve one's community. Senator Glynn called for a debate on local government reform and on local town councils in particular. I have no difficulty in allocating time for this. This debate can also encompass the new approach of which the Minister informed the Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government this morning. I will leave aside time for this, but not before the summer recess.

Senator Hannigan asked whether I intended to take the Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (EirGrid) Bill tomorrow. As the Senator knows, this Bill must go through the Dáil before it comes to the Seanad. However, because of the debate on the Lisbon treaty referendum in the Dáil today, which will take five hours, this may not happen. With the permission of the leaders and spokespersons, I propose to leave this until next week. Tomorrow's business will be statements on older people, which was to take place this afternoon but cannot now take place because of the debate on the Lisbon treaty referendum.