Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

With regard to the Private Members' motion, it has been pointed out to me by the Clerk that it will be taken from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with the permission of the House.

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Prendergast, Norris, Mary White, McFadden, O'Donovan, Mullen, Callely, Glynn and Feeney expressed their serious concerns about the forthcoming report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse. As has been said in the House, we are talking about a fundamental human right. That is the challenge facing us as legislators. We must listen to the former chairman of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution and an excellent lawyer in his own right, Senator Denis O'Donovan, who advised the House there will be no progress until we have a constitutional referendum on the rights of the child. We must listen to colleagues who are experienced in this field. I assure the House I will have an all-day debate on this report. I will endeavour, after the publication of the report, to have a date for this debate by the Order of Business tomorrow.

I am also endeavouring to have an all-day debate on NAMA, as has been requested by Senator O'Toole. My preference would be for this to take place next Tuesday, but the Finance Bill is in the Dáil on Tuesday and Wednesday and in the Seanad on Thursday. These two all-day debates will take place even if it means sitting an extra day on a Friday. It is in the interest of everyone concerned that these challenges facing us as Members of the Oireachtas are dealt with in the present, when they are still urgent, and not after weeks have passed.

As Senator Callely said, we appreciate everybody who has worked in the health services, particularly in the care of children. There are many good people who have looked after children through the years, and we distance ourselves from the difficulties highlighted in the report to which I referred and the totally unacceptable practices that went on. I acknowledge the hard work and dedication of staff in St. Peter's Centre in Castlepollard and St. Mary's of South Hill, who were members of the Midland Health Board, and appreciate what they have done for the unfortunate children who really needed the care and attention of these excellent hospitals.

Senators O'Toole and Prendergast mentioned the Middletown Centre for Autism in Armagh. The autism centre is unfortunately under pressure at present because of finance and the downturn in the global economy. This was a shining example of the working of the Good Friday Agreement and I hope something can be done to keep the centre going. It is of serious concern to Ministers meeting this morning. It will not be easy but, please God, in the long term this can be made possible.

Senators O'Toole and MacSharry asked about NAMA. It is a serious challenge but I was heartened when Senator Ross wholeheartedly congratulated the Minister for Finance for the work he is doing for us with our EU colleagues. The bond issue was fully subscribed, as Senator MacSharry pointed out. It is uplifting to know that in these challenging times, our Government and Ministers are world leaders in the global downturn and not afraid to meet the challenge. Our Minister and our policy-----