Dan Boyle (Green Party)

Senator Fitzgerald, opening the Order of Business, suggested an amendment to a debate on the economy, which repeats the call from yesterday's Order of Business. As is usual with such calls, it is difficult to get a Minister available at short notice, but yesterday's call has been taken into account. Efforts are being made to make available the Minister for Finance and there is every confidence that such a debate will take place before the House rises for the summer, which will happen in the next two weeks.

Many other speakers discussed the content of such a debate, including Senators O'Toole, Kelly, Donohoe, Ross, Callely, Ó Murchú, Healy Eames, Butler and Hanafin. It is hoped when the Minister for Finance does come to the House that the context of the debate is well placed. Yesterday's report from the ESRI has engendered an initial debate the especial subject of which has been public confidence.

Senator Fitzgerald in her opening contribution today spoke of the local factors which might be involved in the current economic downturn. It is still largely the case that most of the factors are international. Any other performing international economy is in a similar situation. The ESRI report does discuss public confidence, which is sometimes influenced by the tone and tenor of debates in this Chamber and others like it. However, public confidence is influenced also by factors mentioned by other speakers. I refer especially to the contribution of Senator Ross and his comments on the level of personal indebtedness in the economy, which is one of the highest in the world. There would be an open call for a debate in the House on the role of the banking industry in trying to establish consumer confidence which has been badly affected by the type of policies that many of those financial institutions have put in place.

Senator O'Toole questioned the likelihood of a strike at the Bank of Ireland. While this House cannot intervene directly in such labour disputes, its Members hope the measures the Senator outlined will be followed so that a strike can be averted at one of the largest financial institutions in the country.

Senator Kelly highlighted the need for new skills in areas such as administration. As did Senator Healy Eames, he referred to the regrettable announcement that has been made by the Hibernian insurance company. I suggest that the report that was published recently by the future skills group and Forfás forms a good basis for the debate in this House on the issues the Senators have mentioned.

Senators Kelly, Ross and Hannigan spoke about broadband services. Senator Ross referred to a report in The Irish Times yesterday. Having spoken to the Minister, I understand the report in question was largely accurate. I do not doubt the Minister will make time available to speak on the matter in the Seanad, although I am not sure whether that can be done before this House rises for the summer. The Minister is committed to increasing the availability of broadband services. Yesterday's newspaper report reminded us that the Minister is working to a particular deadline to ensure we have maximum broadband coverage in this country. There is a need for a fully informed debate on this issue. The Private Members' Bill that has been proposed by Senator Ross will help to bring that about. We need to consider what exactly we mean when we talk about broadband. We have to set out what we believe to be an acceptable speed in the context of the provision of broadband. We should specify the geographical locations where the people of this country can access broadband services.

Senators Kelly, Ormonde, O'Donovan, Callely, Ó Murchú and Regan referred to the introduction in this country of regulations on foot of EU directives. Such a level of interest in the issue of regulation makes it clear there is a need for a debate on it in this House. We need to consider the extent to which EU directives which have a practical use are being accepted by the public. We also need to reflect on the degree to which such directives are being policed. Are we being too zealous in implementing regulations? Do we choose to implement certain regulations but not others? Do we know whether the various regulations are being implemented in other EU member states? Many of the concerns which have been raised can be debated properly if we arrange a debate.

Senator Donohoe commented on the new regime of levies and charges on the M50. Such matters can be discussed in the context of the debate on the economy that we will have in the weeks to come. Some of the problems associated with the M50 were caused by a badly flawed original contract. The moneys to be paid by the State, which were mentioned by the Senator, are equivalent to the moneys which the State would have continued to pay under the original contract. They are now to be paid in a different form. The new system will help traffic flow while ensuring the Exchequer's original investment is repaid. The Senator's points are well made.

Senator Donohoe also spoke about the homelessness strategy, the contents of which were recently made available. There is scope for a good debate in this House on the strategy. The Senator referred to the new rental regulations, which I do not think are part of the same debate. I will bring his view that the regulations need to be strengthened to the attention of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Senator Daly talked about Cork City Council's decision to introduce a moratorium on mobile phone masts. I am aware the Senator takes a great personal interest in such matters. He referred to a report produced by the Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources which set out the guidelines which should apply in these cases. I will inform the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources of the Senator's interest in this matter. I will find out whether there is a possibility of a separate debate on the issue.

Senator O'Donovan raised the issue of planning in rural Ireland, which is highlighted in the House regularly. The Leader of the House has promised that such a debate will be organised soon.

Senator Coffey spoke about the effects of changes in the poultry industry on the Waterford area. He pointed out that the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food also represents a constituency in which the industry is strong. I am sure the Minister, Deputy Smith, shares Senator Coffey's concerns and is prepared to address such issues in the House.

Senator Bacik referred to the many shootings which have occurred in a certain district of Dublin. Like the Senator, I stay in the Coombe area of the city where last night's unfortunate incident took place. The shooting resulted in the closure of that part of Dublin while gardaí were initiating their investigations. I am sure the Leader of the House will make time available for a debate on the matter.

Senator Bacik pre-empted the debate on the Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008, which will take place in this House over the next few weeks. Like her, I welcome the Minister's decision not to proceed with certain provisions in relation to early opening bars, which have a distinct culture and do not contribute to this country's overall problem with alcohol.

Senator Healy Eames spoke about Health Service Executive staffing in the context of an incident in the Galway area. HSE issues are regularly raised on the Order of Business. We have had several debates on such matters. The Minister for Health and Children has come to the Seanad on several occasions. The HSE receives an equivalent amount of resources in terms of man hours. We need to understand the management difficulties that are causing problems at national and local levels. The Senator is right to raise the issue.