Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, Boyle, Buttimer, Coghlan, Butler, O'Donovan, Norris and Doherty all raised pressing issues which have been raised on the Order of Business over the past number of weeks. I viewed the programme on RTE last night which was a credit to the station. It was a profile of Ian Paisley for which I congratulate Tommy Gorman, Ed Mulhall and others associated with it. It showed the tremendous achievement that took place in our country in our time. I was very proud to see our former Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, the current Taoiseach and everyone from all political persuasions who played their part over the years to bring us to where we are today in respect of what we have all known for years as the national question. I include leaders of all parties, both North and South, in our congratulations.

In respect of the planning and development issue highlighted by Senator Fitzgerald and many other Senators, we all share her concerns in respect of the protection of the environment and our people. In respect of anything we can do in this House to help and assist the Government and Minister formulate policy, time will not be a problem. I agree fully with many of the concerns that have always been raised here in respect of planning issues.

The Deputy Leader of the House, Senator Boyle, raised a point about the motion to be taken without debate. It is to enable solar panels and energy-saving systems to be placed on houses. I know that all colleagues of all political persuasions fully support this which is why we are asking the House to proceed with the motion, which was approved by the relevant committee.

We all know that a debate on the economy is taking place here next Wednesday. In respect of the challenges faced by the Government — I include Senator Regan's question in this — the procedure is very clear and has been established by all Taoisigh down through the years during my membership of the Oireachtas. The Department officials give a six month report in their own style without spin and give the facts to the Irish people, politicians and the Government. The Government and the Minister for Finance then assess that and the Minister, on the first subsequent sitting day of Cabinet, which in this instance is next Tuesday, makes his proposals in respect of the information he has received from the Department officials. The Cabinet then approves it or sends it back again.

I am sure the Cabinet will approve the Minister's proposals next Tuesday. At the first available opportunity, we will discuss them here on Wednesday. The Minister for Finance will be here and in the Dáil on Wednesday. Colleagues in the Dáil and Seanad can then express their opinions or concerns and make their proposals to the Minister and Ministers of State who will be taking the debate and who will address the serious challenge facing the country over the coming six months. At that point, we must again assess the situation as a Government and take the necessary corrective measures in the budget, as has happened in the past. Those are the facts.

In respect of Senators' concerns regarding the statement by the DPP, we were all used to hearing about him and his powers but none of us ever knew him or the type of person he was until he took part in a very famous and informative interview on RTE radio. As a citizen of Ireland, Member of the Oireachtas and Leader of Seanad Éireann, I was proud when I heard the DPP talk to the interviewer that evening on RTE radio. The more the DPP can be interviewed and make known his views to Ireland, the more we can have total confidence in the judicial system. The challenges the DPP faces daily are among the most difficult in the land. If there is anything we can do to assist the DPP, I want to hear the views of colleagues on all sides on the suggestions made this morning by people who are very professional and know what they are talking about, especially those in the legal profession.

Senators O'Toole and Keaveney referred to the alcohol legislation, which will be in the House next week, when colleagues will have the opportunity to express views and justifiable concerns, as they have done over recent months.

Senator Leyden expressed his concern at the fight of the people of Roscommon for that very good facility, Roscommon County Hospital. The motion during Private Members' time is proposed by the Fine Gael and Labour parties and concerns a serious issue. Senators will make known their views on health, particularly on the cancer strategy, with the Minister present.

Senator Quinn referred to the issue of bank cards and the alcohol problems of children. He also referred to the issues concerning banks, to which I have referred.

Senators Butler and Coghlan highlighted the difficulties in the construction industry. Building more than 600,000 houses in ten years is a marvellous achievement. As Senator Walsh said, there is an overflow at the moment and it will take two years to catch up. An auctioneer said to me yesterday that it is too late to sell and to soon to buy. That seems to be the attitude of most people. I will be delighted to see young couples purchase when the banks start lending money again. No matter what price one could purchase at, the banks do not seem to lend money.

The banks are appearing before the joint committee today and the Chairman of the committee is the very experienced Deputy Michael Ahern, who was the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and who knows minutely everything that has taken place anywhere in the world over the past ten years. I hope we will do with the banks issue as the then Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business did with the insurance industry, working hand in hand with banks as a conduit of Government and the Oireachtas. The banks need to continue to make the immense contribution they have made over the past 15 years. We want them to do so.

Senators Coghlan and O'Donovan referred to the people of Valentia and Malin Head who are appearing before the Joint Committee on Transport today. Many Senators will be present to make their views known. I have no difficultly allocating time for further debate if it is requested. I will pass the views of Senator Hannigan on the Russian ambassador to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Senator O'Donovan called for a debate on the fishing industry. This will take place next week. The Senator referred to self-employed people in the fishing industry and it is an area of serious concern. The Minister will be in the House next week to hear the debate.

I will pass the views of Senator Norris on the French President to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Taxation, the loss of the Commissioner and neutrality were the three issues to which he referred and which were of serious concern to the "No" voters in the electorate. It would be a great idea if public representatives met the French President to tell him at first hand why they were so strong in their views of the electorate voting "No". It would be of immense help to the process of getting a successful conclusion to this major issue.

Senator Keaveney welcomed the €50 million the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children allocated yesterday. I join her in that and I am willing to help and assist in any way I can. I will pass on the views of Senator Buttimer concerning civil unions. Senator Glynn called for a debate on the Green Paper on local government reform. I have no difficulty allowing this to take place early in the next session. Funding for local government is dear to the hearts of Members and we want to play our part in having the issue debated and making our views known. Unfortunate people in some housing estates are having a serious challenge. It is a challenge to society, the behaviour of a small number of residents which has the maximum effect in these housing estates. I have no difficulty in providing time to have this matter debated.

Senator Doherty called for a debate on the national development plan, especially the roll-out of broadband. Everyone joins the Senator in his request for that. Some 100,000 homes were connected in the past three months but we are coming from a low base. I will do everything I can to set time aside in the first week or two after the summer recess, if not before the recess.

Senator Hanafin called on me to allocate time to debate energy costs and energy from oil. With oil so expensive, energy costs are more expensive which creates higher food costs. In an effort to facilitate the Senator's request, I propose that Fianna Fáil Private Members' time will have a motion to debate and discuss alternative energy uses that do not include oil. I look forward to the views of experienced Senators and their proposals to the Minister. I refer particularly to wind energy and tidal wave energy, which seems an ideal opportunity for Ireland, with its geographical location. Perhaps we have an advantage for this proposal. I have no difficulty with this and I will discuss it with Fianna Fáil colleagues and spokespersons and our colleagues in Government, the Green Party and the Progressive Democrats. We will discuss how we can table this motion in the House to assist in what is a serious challenge. I welcome assistance from all parties in dealing with Private Members' business next week.