Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senator Coffey called for a debate with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs on entitlements and particularly the long wait and queues by unfortunate people for the dole. The Minister is doing everything she possibly can in her power in this regard. Yesterday's initiative to retrain and upskill 18 to 24 year olds is essential. This is another very important issue on which the Minister could come to the House. The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Hanafin, is very supportive of coming to the House and I will pursue a debate on this matter in the coming weeks. Senators Ross, Buttimer and McFadden congratulated the Minister for Finance on his great success in Europe and I have made a commitment on that.

Senator Buttimer inquired about the proposed mid-term review of the programme for Government, the successes and challenges. I have no difficulty in having that debated in the House, possibly after the Government has deliberated on it over the summer. On our first or second day back after the summer recess there may be a very good opportunity for an all-day debate when we can express our opinions on this very pressing issue.. Regarding Senator Buttimer's comments on party names and logos, as the Senator knows, this is down to the directors of elections for the various parties and I do not want to get involved in that. I have enough on my plate at present.