Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

We have a significant obligation and a duty — we being the Government and Members of both Houses — to ensure that, whatever happens in the next six months, we help those who create employment and continue to do so. We must assist those who would be in a position, if they were to get small allocations of funding or help of any description, to keep all present jobs going. Over the next five or six months it will be difficult to create new jobs in any country, from the biggest to the smallest.

I ask influential Members and responsible members of the press who are also Members of this House to take up this challenge in their columns on Sunday, this week and next week. They have been hugely successful in the past and they come from both sides of the House. Responsible people, public representatives and journalists must take up the cudgels and ask the banks what they intend to do for small and medium-sized businesses. They must ask also what the Government will do.

Senators Boyle, Buttimer, Walsh and Kelly expressed their views on reform of the public service. Yesterday in Dublin Castle, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance launched the task force on the public service. We all know the task force will set out a challenging agenda in respect of change in the public service. It recommends an integrated package of initiatives to be implemented over the next three years, a framework that focuses on achieving and improving performances by organisations and individuals within the public service, and on creating flexibility and deployment of people, assets and other resources. I could go on for some time. However, we wish the task force well. Eminent people, who have made a major contribution in their lifetime and still continue to do so, are making available their expertise and experience to assist the Government and the country at this difficult time. We wish to give a better service. I compliment the public service down through the years on what it has done for our country. Public servants have made an immeasurable contribution. The public service has been centre stage in the success of our country over the past ten or 15 years. We want to make it more efficient and help it in every way we can.

Senators Buttimer, Coughlan, Walsh, Norris, Ormonde and Ross all expressed their concerns about FÁS. The special debate on that organisation will take place next Tuesday afternoon. I have said often that, of all Ministers who come to the House, Deputy Mary Harney has been one of the most supportive over the years. She has made an immeasurable contribution and I concur with those Members who said this morning that she has been an excellent Minister in her lifetime and a shining example. I say this of one who started her career in the Oireachtas in Seanad Éireann in 1977.

Senators Twomey, Bacik and Keaveney called for a debate on IVF. I have no difficulty with this. The National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, has paid for 1,774 patients in public hospitals. I understand there is a provision whereby patients who have not been treated within six months can avail of this facility under the NTPF. It is a breath of fresh air for those on the margins and on lower incomes who have had to wait for a long time. Senator Twomey comes from the medical profession and is a general practitioner of excellence. Poor people should not have to wait because they have no money and the NTPF is to be commended. I take the comments in the spirit with which they were made. They can be pursued during the debate on finance when the Minister of Finance, Deputy Lenihan, comes to the House. He has direct responsibility for the NTPF and its personnel.

Senator Keaveney called for a debate on violence against women. We should have a debate on violence against all persons. The Senator outlined the fact that thousands of cases occur at this time of year, coming up to Christmas. I will endeavour to have this debate take place. If time is not available we can consider the matter at an early session after Christmas.

Senator Leyden outlined the difficult position in which he finds himself in his home county, Roscommon, with regard to hospital services there and 24-hour cover, which is the least anybody should expect. I recommend that the Senator takes this as a matter on the Adjournment. He has now placed the issue on the record of the House and he should feel free to avail of this facility. However, to get a response and have the Minister present, placing a matter for the Adjournment, possibly next Tuesday, would better enhance what he is trying to achieve, especially given that we have a tight schedule and a large volume of legislation coming through.

On the possibility of having a debate on the findings of the draft report on Ireland's future in the European Union, for which Senator Donohoe has responsibility, the report should be discussed during the debate on the Lisbon treaty. I will endeavour to have the issues debated together.

Senator Ormonde raised matters pertaining to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the representation of councillors' views and decisions. As representatives of local councillors, Senators will do everything in their power to assist them in this difficult period, particularly as the Estimates process approaches. They face a serious challenge. I do not say this because Government parties are in control of, at most, four councils but because councillors of all political persuasions have a serious task in dealing with Estimates at this difficult time.

Senator McFadden raised the issue of sheep farming. I will convey her congratulations to the Minister on the 2% levy and all matters pertaining to it.