Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

——by coming to the capital city to make their views known.

I will be having a meeting on Friday sittings with the leaders after the Order of Business today — we did not do so before this week's sitting. I am endeavouring to hold debates on Fridays. The debate in the House last Friday was magnificent. We were able to have the Minister present and discuss the matter in hand straight away at 10.30 a.m. We are trying to determine whether Friday sittings are as successful in the Seanad as they are in the Dáil. Why should they not be? At least we are trying to make the House more productive. If it can be made so, let this be the case. I certainly make no apology for endeavouring to try out what is successful in the other House to determine whether it can be successful in this House.

Senator Kelly expressed concern over the possible loss of 150 jobs. I share his concern. Senator John Ellis expressed concern regarding the serious difficulty people face, especially in the midlands, regarding the National Roads Authority's responsibility for making national roads available during very heavy frost, sleet and snow. I support him in his call and certainly will pass on his views to the Minister after the Order of Business.

Senator Norris called for a debate on matters pertaining to Israel and Palestine. I certainly can allow it but not before the Christmas recess. Senators Norris, Hanafin, Alex White, Walsh and Mullen expressed their views on radio advertising and the decision of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland in respect of Veritas. Perhaps the Minister will consider whether this can be addressed in the Bill in the Dáil. It is a question of the manner in which the legislation is enshrined and in which certain individuals, perhaps members of the commission or the commission in general, will be making their views known to us all. We certainly do not see anything wrong with advertisements of the kind in question on radio or television. It would be very uplifting to see some of these advertisements on television as opposed to some of the difficult ones that are hard to take at times.

Senators Alex White and Norris called for an amendment to the Order of Business to take No. 35, motion 23 today. This could be covered on Second Stage of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which is to follow the Order of Business this afternoon, or the Finance Bill, which is to be considered in the House on Friday week. I strongly suggest to Senator Norris that he avail of that avenue to address the issue.

Senator Hanafin asked us to send our condolences to the people of Russia on the death of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Alexy II. I will inform the Minister for Foreign Affairs of this request after the Order of Business.

Congratulations were offered to Senator Bacik on her celebration of the contribution of women to political life since 1918. I said last week in the House that I fully agreed with this. I concur with the sentiments expressed.

Senator Cummins made reference to those who had been unfortunate to lose their jobs and pointed out that they would have to wait for eight to ten weeks before receiving their unemployment benefits. This is completely unacceptable and I ask the Senator to bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs on Second Stage of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill later this afternoon to ascertain what is the up-to-date position. I fully agree with the sentiments expressed by him.