Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

During the summer months all Senators will have received a significant number of representations from various groups which fear they will be affected by the recommendations of the McCarthy report. I look forward to an early and substantial debate on the report to enable us to ascertain what precisely is the Government's position on it. The case made by two specific groups, the rural transport initiative and Family Support Agency, struck a strong chord with me. Senator Doherty and others referred to the role of the rural transport scheme. Under the scheme which costs approximately €11 million per annum, tens of thousands of people are facilitated, on a weekly basis, to see the outside world and engage with their friends, neighbours and local communities. The scheme must be retained.

It is safe to say the Family Support Agency does what it says on the tin, that is, it supports families through providing counselling, support and advice on matters such as housing and social welfare benefits. The agency does outstanding work in virtually every town and many villages and townlands with a budget of only €40 million. People are genuinely afraid that the possible reduction in its services will cause them grave difficulties.

I could list group after group which could be affected by the recommendations of the McCarthy report. Given the social capital benefits generated by the rural transport groups and Family Support Agency for relatively small sums, it is imperative that these organisations are supported.

While I do not expect the Leader to respond to the specific issues I raise, the House must urgently debate the McCarthy report, certainly in advance of the budget. We cannot stick our heads in the sand and hope the report will go away or argue, as the Tánaiste did this morning, that it basically does not matter. It has been published and much of it may be implemented. This must be done in a careful and planned fashion. For this reason, the House must debate it as soon as possible. Let us act like politicians rather than shouting from the sidelines. Let us go through the report line by line and page by page, express our views and, where we see fit, put forward alternative proposals and objections.