Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senator Buttimer also asked for a debate on the budget. We await publication of the Finance Bill on 3 December. The Fine Gael leader has agreed to this wait. I will have the debate as soon as the Bill is published.

Senator Ormonde called for us to debate the Lisbon question again. Her request is timely, but I do not envisage this debate until the report of the committee is available. Some of our Seanad colleagues are sitting three days a week on this urgent committee, discussing and deliberating the issue. When the report is available, I will arrange for us to discuss it in the House so we can give the Minister the benefit of our suggestions.

Senator Bacik called for an update on the Equality Authority and for debate on the issue. I agreed to that yesterday and will allocate time for it.

Senator MacSharry made some positive proposals to the House regarding the establishment of a forum in which all the social partners would participate and the new challenges that we will have to face. He advised us that we should put in place our master plan in time for the next upturn. I will pass to the Taoiseach after the Order of Business his suggestion on a new initiative. He also called for a debate on renewable energy, in respect of which I have no difficulty in arranging time.