Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I seek the agreement of the House to call the Minister for Finance at 10.50 p.m. to respond to contributions on Second Stage of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill. I forgot to include that in my earlier proposal.

Senators Twomey, Mullen and Norris called on the Minister for Health and Children to come to the House to discuss the report in the media that 20 children have died in the care of the State. This is an alarming statistic and I have no difficulty setting time aside for this. I would like to know more about the difficulties organisations representing the blind are experiencing, which was raised by Senator Norris. The National Council for the Blind is my favourite charity and the Taoiseach is very supportive of this organisation. Not having one's sight is one of the greatest difficulties one can experience in life and I would like to do whatever I can in this regard. If a debate is needed to assist this organisation, I will be only too pleased to seek the support of colleagues for it to take place.

Senators Twomey, Mullen, McCarthy, Daly, Donohoe, Keaveney, Leyden, Coghlan, Harris, Norris, Reilly, Ormonde, Walsh and Hannigan expressed their views on the economy and called for a debate on it. Since the House resumed last September, we have had a debate on the economy or banking every week. Last night, we had a debate on banking and tonight we will debate Second Stage of legislation relating to the economy and banking while the remaining Stages will be debated all day tomorrow. I have always sought the support of the Minister for Finance and the Minister of State at the Department of Finance to come to the House in order that Senators can make their views known. In fairness to the Minister, he was in the Dáil, as Senator Leyden said, to take Committee and Remaining Stages of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill all day yesterday and it was impossible for him to be in two places at the one time. The Minister of State attended the House and he listened to all the contributions. He has relayed the views of Members to the Government every time he has attended the House.

It is not a pleasure to see working colleagues of ours picketing and I wish everyone well. Every man, woman and child in Ireland looks forward to the day everyone returns to the social partnership table. Colleagues have stated the Government did not give the deliberations long enough. A lengthy period of five weeks was provided but we do not have the luxury of time, which is running out quickly, and that is why legislation is before the House late tonight and all day tomorrow. Many colleagues in public life have outlined the difficulties being experienced, as did a former Taoiseach on radio earlier. He stated it was twice as bad now as the challenge he faced in 1981. One must listen to this man because he was the last leader of Fine Gael to get a mandate from the people 27 years ago. We must listen when a person gets a mandate and I listened attentively to his comments and took them on board.

I look forward to social partnership resuming because it is the cornerstone on which we built the economy and we will rebuild it. As President Barack Obama said, when the depth of the problem is understood, the master plan can be put in place and we are starting to see that happen. I refer to a number of facts because some people may misunderstand that 38% of our working population do not pay income tax and 50% of all income tax is paid by 6.5% of taxpayers. When people say everyone must make a contribution, it is the same for everyone on this occasion. With regard to the various welfare payments provided to those who need them when they become unemployed, fall ill or find themselves in unfortunate circumstances, Ireland has never been found wanting. We are one of the world leaders in looking after the underprivileged and social welfare recipients. We are proud of that and we make no apologies to anyone for it. The problem currently is unprecedented and global and until the economies of America and our nearest neighbour, the UK, become buoyant again, our economy will face a serious challenge for, perhaps, one or two years.

As I said, I look forward to a return to social partnership. From the Government's point of view, it is gratifying to work in the partnership process with Mr. David Begg, who we all admire and who has the admiration and trust of the people. I look forward to taking part in the near future.

Senator Mullen referred to the Charities Bill and the issue of genuine, sincere people who purchase mass cards to take to removals and funerals and to have masses said for their dearly departed friends and relatives. People's trust must be protected by the State. If another amendment must be made, let us re-introduce the Bill and do so.