Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, Boyle, Donohoe, MacSharry, Callely, Regan, Harris, McCarthy, Coghlan, Buttimer and Ross called for an urgent debate on the banking sector to provide clarity and detailed information on the latest developments and to address their various concerns. The Minister for Finance will be in the House on Friday morning for the debate on the Finance (No. 2) Bill. Colleagues will have an opportunity on Second Stage to raise many of those concerns with him. I undertake to allow a day-long debate on the economy in the first or second week after the Christmas recess. I agree with the proposal that we should review the situation every quarter in terms of developments in the economy and how best we can encourage and facilitate the Minister and his Department in this regard.

In regard to the planned second referendum on the Lisbon treaty, I will endeavour to have a debate take place, if at all possible, before Friday. I respect the views of Senator Donohoe, who had the honour of chairing the Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the European Union. He must be congratulated on the tremendous commitment shown by him and his colleagues on the sub-committee and the work they did.

I take on board Senators' views in regard to the Equality Authority. The Minister for Social and Family Affairs will be in the House shortly to take Committee and Remaining Stages of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. Colleagues may avail of this opportunity to make known their strong views on this matter. As Senator O'Donovan pointed out, the Government has been extremely generous in its funding of the equality agenda. It was the Fianna Fáil Party which established the authority in 1997 with an initial investment of €378,000. Since then, more than €45 million has been provided to the authority and at least another €30 million to the Equality Tribunal and the human rights commission. A substantial allocation has been made for 2009, notwithstanding the unprecedented economic difficulties we face.

There is no question of the Equality Authority being dismembered. Funding will be allocated for at least 38 staff, which is five fewer than the original staff level. As Senator O'Donovan observed, the budget for the Equality Tribunal will be increased by almost 15% in 2009. The simple fact is that the cost of rental accommodation for the authority in Dublin is €450,000, while the same standard of accommodation can be found in Roscrea for €120,000, which gives a saving of €330,000.