Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

We want to encourage the Irish-owned small and medium-sized family businesses, in particular, who employ 880,000 people. They will be here next year and in the years after that if credit is made available by the banks. As legislators, we have a duty to ensure we bring this point home. Our party leaders are meeting this afternoon. We are the representatives of the people who work for those who have provided employment for a long time.

Senator Alex White referred to comments made this morning. I will convey his views on the minimum wage to the Minister of State, Deputy Billy Kelleher. Senators Denis O'Donovan and Rónán Mullen asked for the Minister for Foreign Affairs to come to the House to debate the persecution of Christians. Senator O'Donovan referred to Turkey, Belarus and other such countries, and I have no difficulty arranging a debate on that matter.

Senators Terry Leyden and Feargal Quinn expressed opposite views on the number of taxis and the plight of taxi drivers. Most taxi drivers are taking home very low incomes. Perhaps this issue should be looked at as a matter of urgency. The number of taxi licences the taxi regulator has allocated might be sufficient for a Saturday night but, as far as I can see from driving to this city from Mullingar on a daily basis, there is not enough work for taxi drivers on the other six days of the week. I have no difficulty passing on the Senators' strong views to the Minister.

Senator David Norris called for an urgent debate on the Middle East, Gaza and Israel. I informed the House last week that I will endeavour to hold such a debate on Thursday when Senators can express their views.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan called for an urgent debate on the future of the horse industry which is a major industry which is extremely important to our nation and in which many people are gainfully employed. I have no difficulty allocating time for a debate.

Senator Larry Butler welcomed the Minister's announcement on the €160 million for energy conservation. Citizens will be able to receive a grant to reduce energy use, and to increase the comfort, in their homes. Some €50 million will be allocated to local authority houses. It will put people back to work and will help those who have not had work for the past two to three months and who, in many cases, have no prospect of work in the future. I join in Senator Larry Butler's welcome. He also made a proposal for a five year tax allowance and I will pass that on to the Minister.

Senators Pearse Doherty and Marc MacSharry asked when the local government Bill would be before the House. I will come back to them on that in the morning. They also asked about Senator Pearse Doherty's report on regional issues, the OPW and balanced regional development. Senator Doherty was rapporteur of the committee. He is pushing an open door in regard to this request and I will endeavour to hold a debate in the next two weeks, to which I look forward.

Senators John Hanafin and Marc MacSharry called for a debate on credit institutions and lending banks. Senator Hanafin outlined the plight of First Active and the Ulster Bank. They are very reputable institutions with a huge share of the market and they played a major role in our country's success during the Celtic tiger years and for many years before them. I have no difficulty leaving time aside to discuss the situation in regard to the business they are doing.

Senator Eugene Regan congratulated the Taoiseach on his wonderful speech at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce dinner. I, too, wish to be associated with the congratulations on the truthful, frank and determined manner in which the Taoiseach made his speech. It was very uplifting. I have been a friend of the Taoiseach all my life——