Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senator O'Donovan called for a debate on all aspects of the seafood industry, including mariculture, agriculture and all those areas. We have an advantage in being a coastal country and there is a major opportunity for job creation. Time will be made available for that debate in the near future.

Senator Callely offered congratulations to the Health Service Executive on the major improvement in standards of hygiene in our hospitals. I join him in that regard. He expressed views also on the court case which took place yesterday and the reduction in the life sentence for a paedophile offence. I will pass on his strong views to the Minister.

Senators Bacik and Norris called for a debate on Gaza. I have already made a commitment in that regard. I am in contact with the Minister's office to determine when this debate can be facilitated at the earliest time. I will pass on to the Minister Senator Bacik's views regarding Israeli produce.

Senators MacSharry, Norris and Bacik expressed support once again for Pamela Izevbekhai and her family in Sligo. I will convey their views to the Minister. A decision has been made on that case in the High Court and I understand the intention is to proceed to the Supreme Court. The difficulty for Oireachtas Members is that when a case is before any court, we must not interfere under any circumstances, regardless of the strongly held views of most Members of this House on this case.

Senator MacSharry called for an urgent debate on banking. I have no difficulty in allocating time for that debate and hope to have it in the next three or four weeks.

Senator Quinn offered congratulations to An Post on its 25th anniversary and on the postal service, which is quite good here. He also offered words of advice to our young people, particularly those in our primary schools, on the importance of ensuring that hand writing is kept to the required standard, which is a major personal advantage to every individual. If I receive a handwritten letter from someone it speaks a great deal in terms of the content before I even read it. It puts me in a positive mood and I join with the Senator in his views, which I will pass on to the Minister. It is rare occasion when one receives a handwritten letter, with the modern technology available to us.

Senator Norris asked for an update on three items of legislation. I have the details in my office of the immigration Bill and the civil partnership Bill. I will get back to the Senator later this afternoon on those matters.