Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators John Paul Phelan, O'Reilly, Mullen and others expressed strong views about the proposed corrections to be made to assist the economy and citizens in terms of the changes taking place. Time has been allocated for this today. When we return in the autumn, in the first or second week we will have a half-day debate on this also to monitor what has taken place over the summer months and, as Estimates are being put together for various Departments at that time of the year, to highlight the concerns of Senators to Ministers.

On Senator Mullen's point on overseas aid, Ireland is among the sixth highest per capita contributors to overseas aid in the world. It is still the ambition of the Government that the target of 0.7% of GDP would be achieved by 2012. I have stated on many occasions in the House, and while on trade missions and official visits all over the world, that the missionaries have done an incredible job for centuries. We will not let them down. We will do everything we possibly can. I can speak on that for all Members of both Houses of the Oireachtas.

I will pass on Senator Quinn's strong views about extra education, life-long learning and further education to the Minister. I could not agree more with him. We can have statements on this after the recess.

Senator Alex White raised No. 1 on the Order Paper. I can give an undertaking to the House that we will have a debate on this in the early autumn. I fully agree with the views the Senator expressed.

Senator Leyden, as usual, showed his life-long dedication to Roscommon County Hospital. In all the hard work and endeavour that public representatives of all sides have done, Senator Leyden has been tireless in his efforts in this area. I will pass his views on to the Minister. In fairness to the Minister, Deputy Harney, she has come to this House and given a great deal of her time whenever we had a major debate on the HSE. It is difficult for her to be everywhere.

Senators Twomey, John Paul Phelan and O'Reilly expressed concerns about decentralisation. On the question of decentralisation to Cavan, I will ask for the support of the Government Chief Whip, Senator Wilson. He has the respect of the House in this regard.