Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

I support my colleagues who referred to the significant and vital role played by the rural transport scheme in the country. Like Senator Donovan, I see first hand the benefits of the rural transport scheme, particularly social inclusion and what it does for people in rural areas. I look forward to the Leader accommodating the request for a discussion on the issue.

I also support Senator Mary White on the issue of the national crisis of suicide in Ireland. There is no doubt, given the current economic climate and recession, that suicide is on the increase. I ask that when we address the topic of suicide to ensure the Department of Health and Children, which has the principle role in the provision of various programmes, accommodates and seeks to ensure that the financial institutions participate in whatever working group would be put together by the Department of Finance. There is no doubt the actions of financial institutions can, on occasion, create an impulsive action by people whom they unfairly put under pressure.

I rise for the second time to support the comments of Senator MacSharry on the success of the National Treasury Management Agency in the oversubscription of the sale of our national bonds. I understand they were oversubscribed 2.5 times, which is a great indicator for the current financial status of the country and to the international markets. I support the proposals of Senator MacSharry to help address the problems of mortgage defaulters.