Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senator O'Donovan called for a debate on the fishing industry. I gave a commitment and I will respond. This will certainly be debated in the first days after our recess. I join with Senator O'Donovan with regard to the two men, father and son, who are missing and I suppose presumed dead off the Beara Peninsula - that beautiful peninsula that everyone of us likes to drive around and see at holiday time. The Senator warned that every local authority, Department and agency has a responsibility for safety regulations.

Senator Bacik called for a debate on the law on rape and I have no difficulty holding such a debate.

Senators Mullen, Bacik, Walsh, O'Malley and Hanafin discussed the European Court of Human Rights and the three women who have taken their case there. Senator O'Malley made a plea that I would consult with the Taoiseach on her proposals. I certainly will do so and I will pass on the strong views of Senators on that issue.

Senator Buttimer raised the issue of old-age pension books being discontinued. This is certainly not a good idea. A person has a prerogative and a right not to have a post office or bank account. No one should dictate that old-age pension books be taken from pensioners. I hope the proposal does not go ahead and I will certainly express my strong views along with those of Senator Buttimer to the Minister for Social and Family Affairs in this regard. It is never the wrong time to do the right thing. God knows this is all these people have at the end of their hard-working careers. They should be left with their pension books and should not have them taken away by some bureaucrat who will misuse the information and all the other things that go with it when we have issues that are challenging us morning, noon and night.

Senator Callely called for a debate on all of the serious challenges that the Seanad will have to examine and the urgent need for change in the Seanad. As I stated, Seanad reform will take place. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, will be in the House after the Order of Business with his Bill. He will bring forward proposals for our consideration on Seanad reform during the next session.

Senator Quinn raised the issue of the withdrawal of passports and the high regard and respect with which Irish passport holders have been held worldwide for decades. I join with the Senator in the views he expressed on anything that interferes with that credibility. Senator Quinn also raised the matter of the common travel area, which is of great importance, particularly with regard to Northern Ireland as so many people commute from the UK to Ireland. The news from the House of Lords is to be welcomed and I join Senator Quinn in so doing.

Senator Daly raised the matter of Eircom and the Black Valley, and €29,000 is a serious amount of money to charge anyone for a telephone connection. We must discuss this with the Minister to see how we can help the few areas in Ireland that still need telephone connections. There are difficulties receiving signals in the beautiful Gap of Dunloe and the mountains in that area. I will pass on the views of the Senator to the Minister.

Senator O'Donovan raised the matter of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill and tackling the challenges of time. Senator McCarthy also mentioned this issue. I wish the Garda Síochána and the Commissioner well with the new legislation; if it assists in dealing with the difficulties they experience then all of us in both Houses have done a great deed in the name of Ireland in protecting our people from the difficulties being experienced by the Garda at present.

Senators Ó Murchú and Bradford raised the matter of the Lisbon treaty and the guarantees received by the Government on taxation, right to life, neutrality and all of the issues that the Senators outlined to the House. We will all join together to ensure that this is brought to the attention of the Irish electorate and, if possible, to get a successful result on this occasion.

Senators Mary White and Doherty raised the matter of the report which Senator White announced to the House this morning. The report is in the Oireachtas Library for us all to consider and I congratulate her on the hard work she continues to do in many of these areas. She outlined to the House the tragic death of Henry Cunningham. It happened a long time ago but when it was recalled to us on the Order of Business quite a number of us remembered the terrible tragedy that took place.

Senators Twomey, Doherty and Callely raised the question of how medication will be available from pharmacies. I hope that is clarified in the update from the Minister. If that is not the case then Senators can use my office to obtain the information required.

Senator Hanafin outlined to the House the various Bills which the House has dealt with. As we all know this was the busiest session for many years. A total of 26 Bills were published during this session and most of them have passed through both Houses. On that point, I congratulate the President, Taoiseach and Cabinet and everyone concerned.

I also congratulate the veterans who took part in our national day of remembrance in Kilmainham on Sunday. It was a wonderful occasion. I was privileged and honoured to attend and represent the Seanad with the Cathaoirleach.

Senator Coffey raised the matter of rented accommodation. The Minister will be in the House immediately after the Order of Business and if the Senator raises it with him perhaps he will receive a direct response.

Senator Larry Butler, who brought the attention of the House to his long experience as a member of a local authority, raised the issue of inward investment for local authorities. We all recall the great work county development officers did in our local authorities when the county development officer was the person responsible for inward investment in particular. That is an area the Minister might have to revisit and reappoint the county development officers and the deputy county development officers because as Senator Butler said, inward investment is crucial.

Senator McCarthy raised the issue of capital programme funding. I will pass on his views to the Minister.

I wish the Cathaoirleach, the Leas-Chathaoirleach, our Clerk, Deirdre Lane, our Assistant Clerk, Jody Blake, and all the staff of the House a happy holiday time. I thank the ushers, our Captain of the Guard, John Flaherty, our Superintendent, Paul Conway, Jimmy Walsh, our terrific supporter who writes up the issues as they happen here in the House, and, in particular, Michael Conway, who gives such good coverage of the proceedings of the House on "Oireachtas Report". I thank the leaders of the groups, the Whips, especially our own Government Whip, Senator Diarmuid Wilson, our Assistant Whip, Senator Camillus Glynn-----