Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I said also that any request for time to debate the economy would find favour and would be facilitated on a weekly and monthly basis. The Taoiseach's words in the Dáil yesterday brought home the stark reality of the position in which we find ourselves. All participants in the talks are to be congratulated on the responsible way they are addressing the difficult position. The most eminent people at those talks said yesterday that even the suggestion a month or two months ago of the various directions in which the talks must proceed would be unthinkable. The Taoiseach said yesterday that we are facing the most difficult global economic conditions in 70 years. The most severe financial crisis since the great depression is taking its toll. For example, the United States is now in the middle of a recession that began in December 2007 and may prove to be the longest and most severe in the post-war period. Those are stark statements from the Taoiseach and everyone in a responsible position is expected to act in accordance with the difficulties we face.

It is uplifting to see the way the talks are proceeding. We hope that over the weekend they will come to a conclusion in time for the Cabinet meeting next Tuesday morning. We can then address the difficulty as a nation, with each of us playing our part. Regardless of our position in life, everyone would like to be able to play their part and I look forward to a successful conclusion to the talks. On the conclusion of the talks I will propose to the House that we suspend whatever business is on the agenda to allow Senators to express their views on the merits of the proposals, with the Minister present.

Senators O'Toole, Ó Murchú, Coghlan and Quinn called for a debate on the report by Archbishop Eames and Mr. Bradley, which was launched yesterday. I join all Senators in congratulating those two eminent and responsible citizens on the way they have worked steadfastly in the interest of everyone on the island of Ireland. I have no difficulty affording time in the House for that debate. As has been said, suffering has been experienced by families for the past 20, 30 and 40 years, going back to pre-1968 and 1969. That is a long time ago. Those of us who were working in the North of Ireland to make progress in every possible area are aware of that. Senator Quinn is someone I listen to attentively regarding matters pertaining to Northern Ireland because I am aware he has close family ties there and a great deal of experience pre-1969 and since then.

The suggestion made by Senator O'Toole regarding the North-South talks is a very good one. We should invite the Minister to the Seanad after each round of talks, where possible, and give Members and the general public an update on issues, as is done in the Assembly in Belfast.

Senators Alex White and Hannigan called for a debate on transport. I welcome the massive allocation of funding made available by the Minister for our road infrastructure and the huge sum of money being spent on our motorways and dual carriageways, in particular those from Dublin to Cork, Dublin to Galway, Dublin to Limerick and Dublin to Belfast. Who would have thought 25 years ago that this would be the case? We used to travel to the North of Ireland to experience the good roads in that part of the country. One would know when one came across the Border that one was back in the different territory. There has been a transformation in our road network. To be parochial with Senator Hannigan, I understand the road from Clonee to Kells in our constituency is seven or eight months ahead of time and will be completed by the end of this year. That is tremendous news for those of us who have to sit in our cars for an hour and a half or two hours some evenings when travelling home.