Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I also hope he gets what he wishes for, albeit not at the expense of the Government side.

Senators Fitzgerald and John Paul Phelan called for a debate on matters pertaining to budgetary issues. As Senators will be aware, Thursday's entire sitting will be taken up with budget statements and the Minister will, I hope, be in the House. I have not imposed a time limit on the debate, having decided during my meeting with the other leaders prior to the Order of Business to be generous in terms of time. I hope Senators will give the House and the Minister the benefit of any brain waves or ideas they may have as these are urgently required at this time.

The Cathaoirleach was requested to arrange a meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and I understand the Cathaoirleach has this matter in hand.

Senators O'Toole, Alex White, Fitzgerald, Regan, Ó Murchú, Ross, Butler, Buttimer, Boyle, Norris, Walsh, Healy Eames, Bacik, Glynn, Cannon and Ellis expressed serious concerns about the proposed strike on Monday next and called on the trade union movement to unconditionally call off its action. As Leader of the House, I ask in earnest that the strike be called off in the national interest and in the interests of those who are out of work or are uncertain about their jobs. It should be called off because closing airports or doing anything that will interfere with the fragile economy will send out a message internationally.

I welcome the announcement by the Government that it has invited trade union leaders to return to talks on the economic recovery and its economic plan. This is a welcome step and I hope the spirit with which the Government issued the invitation will give trade union leaders the confidence to call off the strike unconditionally in the national interest. More than 20 Senators, or one third of the House, have called on the trade union movement to call it off in the interests of Ireland plc.

Senators support social partnership and the good work the trade union movement has done. Since 1987, social partnership has been the rock on which we have built the economy and all sectors of society, including farmers, trade unions and employers, have set a shining example around the world of what can be achieved when we work together hand in hand. The wisdom our parents taught us — divided we fall — has never been more relevant.

Senators Harris and Bacik called for a debate on the criminal justice system and sentencing. Senator Harris related his experience of a visit to New York and noted the major differences in the approach taken there to crimes against property and persons. I have no difficulty in making time available for such a debate at the earliest possible opportunity.

Senators Ross, Boyle, Norris and Walsh called for a debate on the statements pertaining to banking made at today's meeting of the Joint Committee on Economic Regulatory Affairs. This is a timely request and I do not have a difficulty in having the Minister come before the House to debate it. I ask Senators to avail of the opportunity of the Minister's presence during Thursday's all-day debate on pre-budget submissions to raise the relevant issues. The Senators correctly brought to the attention of the House serious concerns regarding matters which were made public at this morning's meeting of the joint committee.

Senators Buttimer and Norris called for a debate on Irish sport and specifically on how we can avail of the opportunities arising from the 2012 London Olympics. Given our geographical location, we can benefit significantly from these games. I look forward to having the Minister in the House for that debate.

Senators Healy Eames and Hanafin called for a debate on social partnership, its achievements and future progress, and also on the biggest challenge facing the country, namely, competitiveness. We all know everything to do with the creation of jobs and sustaining existing jobs relates to competitiveness, as Senator Hanafin said. I have no difficulty in having time put aside for that debate to take place.

Senator Healy Eames called for a debate, with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform present in the House, on the need for a friendly visa system, particularly in respect of the teaching of English. She referred to the very high standard here and the major opportunity that exists here for employment in this area. I support the call made by the Senator. We will have that debate at the earliest opportunity because I see a major opportunity for employment in terms of the very high standard of English teachers available here.

Senator Doherty asked that the Minister for Foreign Affairs would come to the House to give us an update on the undocumented Irish and the visit to the United States on St. Patrick's Day. I again congratulate the Cathaoirleach for representing us so ably in Washington. I offer our congratulations to the Taoiseach on his wonderful visit to the new President of the United States of America. It was very uplifting and gave many of us a great deal of hope. The people of Ireland were very proud of our Taoiseach, and I ask the Cathaoirleach to relate that to him at the earliest opportunity. I congratulate all Ministers and everyone in the Department of Foreign Affairs who promoted Ireland around the St. Patrick's Day period. It is a wonderful opportunity we have as a nation that many much larger countries throughout the world have dreamt of having available to them. I congratulate them for all the great work that was done. Those of us in Ireland enjoyed a beautiful day. I congratulate all of those who participated in a voluntary capacity and contributed to the success of the St. Patrick's Day parades. Record numbers turned out for the parades this year. The weather played a major role in that but it was a very uplifting experience for everyone, which I hope continues.

Senator Corrigan asked that the Minister for Health and Children would come to the House for a debate on the matters she pointed out to the House regarding the Health Service Executive. The Senator also inquired when the mental capacity Bill will be taken. I will come back to the House on that tomorrow morning.

Senator Glynn expressed congratulations to Trevor O'Callaghan, the administrator of the Midlands Regional Hospital in Mullingar, and all his staff on Mullingar hospital, once again, being one of the best in the country. We are so proud of the achievements of the hospital in Mullingar and we all hope they will be rewarded for their endeavours and the keen attention and sacrifices the staff make to keep this hospital one of the top hospitals in the country.

Senator Glynn again called for a debate on men's health. I have no difficulty in having time left aside for that and will accede to the Senator's request at the earliest possible time.