Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I will allow whatever time is needed by colleagues to express their views to the Minister on the current position in the retail sector.

Senators Mary White and Healy Eames called for an urgent debate with the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Barry Andrews, on the mandatory reporting of sexual abuse of children. This is a serious request and I contacted the Minister of State's office at the conclusion of the Order of Business yesterday with a view to arranging a debate as a matter of urgency. I hope to revert to the House tomorrow morning with a time and date.

Senator Coghlan offered his congratulations and best wishes to his colleagues in County Kerry in the tourism industry. Theirs has been a remarkable achievement and I join the Senator in congratulating them.

Senator Quinn spoke about the issue of competitiveness. As Senators Butler and Ó Murchú noted, we have an ideal opportunity to review our position. Competitiveness presents the single biggest challenge facing businesses but the difficulties being experienced among the generation under the age of 35 years who have never witnessed a downturn will give them a greater appreciation of these matters. I will have no difficulty in including this issue in a debate in the near future.

Senator Hannigan called for a vote to be given in local elections to those over the age of 16 years. This could be difficult to provide for but perhaps the Senator can put his suggestion to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he attends the House tomorrow to take Second Stage of the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008.

Senator John Hanafin called for a debate on the green economy, with a particular focus on tidal and wind energy. He also highlighted for the House the huge amount of money available from the European Union which we could use. At 4 p.m. the concept of the green economy will be promoted in the green room.

Senator Callely called on us to monitor the banks and the challenges facing everyone at present. We should take up his suggestion. I am aware that my colleagues will be exercising their minds in that regard. We will certainly be able to express our views on the matter in the context of our debates on the economy.

Senator Norris called for a debate on Gaza and events in the Middle East. I will have no difficulty in arranging such a debate. I strove to include the matter in next week's agenda and respectfully proposed that the Senator use Private Member's time for a debate. I will, however, endeavour to provide time for a discussion at the first available opportunity when legislation does not present, as it is an urgent matter. I also note the Senator's views on the exhibition on north O'Connell Street.

Senator Cummins asked about the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2009 which we were to take last night as emergency legislation. However, the Minister of State received a telephone call and the Bill was withdrawn.