Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

This is the time when the world media affords Ireland a window of opportunity of three or four days during which we can promote Irish goods, Ireland as a destination and sell the achievements of our country. We must support these people in every way humanly possible. I accept the spirit in which colleagues on both sides of the House have supported the hard work of travelling Ministers, Taoisigh and Tánaiste of all Governments down through the years. This window of opportunity presents only once a year for the Irish diaspora. We must support them and not let them down owing to the downturn in the world economy.

I will do all required of me in terms of the forthcoming debate in regard to the corrective measures to be taken in April. I have no difficulty in leaving aside an entire day for an open-ended debate to tease out issues in regard to the economy and the advice that can be given to the Minister and Government officials. Senator Alex White and Senator Norris expressed concern in regard to the image of Seanad Éireann. We must seek the assistance of the responsible media in regard to informing the people of the real worth of Seanad Éireann. We in the Oireachtas know that time does not always permit all sections of all Bills to be teased out by Dáil Éireann. However, I first took up the position of Leader of this House in 1997 and have on only one occasion guillotined a Bill as it was of utmost urgency and had to be enacted the following morning to deal with the situation in the banks. Members are aware no time limit has been set in regard to today's debate on the Investment of the National pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009.

We are the protectors of the Constitution on behalf of the people. We must scrutinise minutely each Bill that comes before us, line by line and section by section. I say to those people who believe the Oireachtas could perform as well without Seanad Éireann that that is not true. The Constitution must be protected on behalf of the people and that protector is this House, Seanad Éireann. It is not by chance this House is called the Upper House of the Oireachtas. This title was earned by the many Members who passed through this House and went on to become Taoisigh and Tánaiste. Many Ministers of all Governments were in the first instance Members of Seanad Éireann. It is not possible for any person to walk into Dáil Éireann and become a successful Minister on one's first day. I first came through the gates of this building in 1962, having assisted a former Member from my village of Castlepollard, of which I am so proud, who served as a Member of Dáil Éireann for 38 years. I can say here today without fear of contradiction and as one of the longest serving Members of the Oireachtas that in my experience I do not know of any Minister who on his or her first day made an outstanding success of any portfolio. That does not happen overnight. One must have experience and wherewithal if one is to be successful. Where better to get that than as a Member of Seanad Éireann on one's way to serving the country in Government.

Seanad Éireann is the protector of the Constitution. I urge colleagues here to defend this House. It is a great honour and privilege not alone to be Leader of this House but to be a Member of it. We are the protectors of the Constitution and we should let our colleagues in the responsible media know that this House has a serious role to play in ensuring the taxpayer gets value for money because we minutely discuss and debate every line and every section of each Bill that comes to this House.

Senators Leyden, Regan and McCarthy welcomed the proposed reduction of 0.5% in mortgage interest rates. It is hoped that reduction will be forthcoming and that there will be further reductions in this regard as this would greatly assist many people during this downturn in the economy.

The Senators also called for an urgent debate on enterprise trade, in particular the National Consumer Agency. I have no difficulty in providing time for such a debate.

Senator Coghlan expressed strong views in regard to the hotels sector. I must at this point declare a vested interest in this sector given that my family operate in it. His suggestion that we discuss the proposal that where possible we promote low cost or free travel for consumers from other countries wishing to visit our shores would assist the tourism industry during these difficult times.

On the reduction in energy costs announced by the ESB and Bord Gáis, I understand in respect of the new electricity supplier, Bord Gáis, that this reduction will apply only to household consumption and not in respect of business consumption, including the hotel and other sectors employing people, which is regrettable. We have a duty to consider how we can assist industries such as the Irish Hotels Federation at a time when energy costs in this country are so high.

I was horrified to hear of the experience of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy Cullen during a trip to Kerry by helicopter. Given the height at which the helicopter was flying, had the door hit the blades all on board would have been killed. We should thank God all were safe. While I presume everybody will learn from this experience, why no safety chain was attached to the door is beyond me.