Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senator O'Sullivan called for a discussion on the local government representatives who work so hard on local authorities in formulating county and town development plans and action plans for every village in all counties. This is a worthwhile suggestion and there will be a debate in the House on all of these issues and a request for the future plans in this area from the relevant Minister.

Senators Hannigan, O'Toole and Ross called for a debate on banking. I made my views known on the matter this morning. There is a debate once every month on the economy, which includes banking. This debate may take place in the last week in November, but the Finance Bill 2008 is due on 3rd December and perhaps at the leaders' meeting next week we can discuss the timing of the debate with a view to postponing it for one week, by which time we will know the contents of the Finance Bill 2008, which would be more beneficial.

Senator Norris expressed strong views on Russia and the activities associated with the Bush administration in the USA. I recognise the Senator has steadfastly held these views for some time, which we respect. Senator Leyden passed on his best wishes to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan and the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, in their deliberations and their new initiative to address the activities off the coast of County Mayo. It is of the utmost urgency to the economy and the nation that the significant gas find there is allowed to proceed. I wish all concerned well in their new deliberations. Senator Leyden spoke of harnessing energy in rivers, especially around the Athleague area which he knows well. The area is part of his constituency and includes the River Suck, about which we have heard year after year from colleagues from the west of Ireland. The suggestions made by Senator Leyden are worthwhile and it may be possible for extra energy to be harnessed with no cost to the nation or without issues relating to ownership of the mills. We can examine the possibilities in this area and I have no difficulty in holding a discussion on the matter at some stage in the future.