Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

As Senators will be aware, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow, Fianna Fáil Private Members' time will be devoted to statements on the budget. I also intend to propose on the Order of Business on Thursday morning that the House take the legislation, whether schemes or regulations, required to address the issue of the banks on Friday at 10 a.m. I thank the other leaders for their support and understanding on this matter.

I agree with the amendment to the Order of Business regarding No. 23, Civil Liability (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2008 — First Stage, proposed by Senator Cummins.

Senators Leyden and McFadden expressed concerns regarding Army personnel. Senator Leyden was concerned to ensure the Army personnel in Chad would have supplies delivered for the troops on the ground in time for Christmas. I extend our best wishes to the Chief of Staff, Dermot Earley, whom we all have admired down through the years and who has been such a wonderful ambassador for the Army. Regarding the sentiments expressed by Senator McFadden about the closure of Army barracks, we must wait and see what is in the budget. I support her sentiments.

Regarding Senator Leyden's concern about decentralisation, I hope, as everyone else does, that projects, in respect of which sites have been purchased, planning permissions granted and tender documents agreed, will be allowed to proceed, given that substantial allocations of staff expect such decentralisation to take place and are looking forward to returning to work in the place of their birth. It would be a huge bonus to all the areas proposed that this would be allowed happen. It is a godsend that the Prison Service offices are up and running in Longford town. I look forward to the day that Roscommon, Mullingar, Portlaoise and those areas in the midlands — which so badly need it now more than at any other time — will get their fair share of investment and fair return from Government employment.

Senators Prendergast and Feeney called for the Minister to come to the House for a debate on independent midwifery and home births. As one who is privileged to have been born at home, I fully support this request and will arrange for such a debate.

Senators Coffey, Bradford, Hannigan and Walsh called for a debate on housing, planning, rural development and everything pertaining to the challenge facing us all in the 21st century. The call for this debate is timely and I will arrange for such a debate to take place in the next three or four weeks.

Senator Bradford suggested that the Minister, Deputy Harney, allow the Fair Deal proposal, the nursing home Bill, to be published as a Seanad Bill in the interest of assisting her, the Government and the Department to process it quickly. I will bring that proposal to the attention of the Minister to establish if that can be done. It is a worthwhile and sensible proposal and I will do everything I can to have that Bill initiated in the Seanad.