Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Before I respond to the Order of Business, on behalf of the House, I congratulate everybody concerned, including the Taoiseach, Ministers, Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and other organisations, on their achievements at the forum in Farmleigh House last weekend. I sincerely hope something good will come out of it in helping and assisting the Government in formulating the budget. It was of enormous help and benefit and I congratulate everyone on behalf of the Seanad for their hard work, foresight and endeavour, including those who came from the four corners of the world and who hold the diaspora close to their hearts and want to know what they can do for Ireland, the home of their father, mother, granddad or grandma. It was a shining example to all of us who were present.

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, Twomey and John Paul Phelan asked various questions about the Seanad vacancies. It is my understanding they will possibly be filled in the early part of this session and I assure Senator Fitzgerald we, on the Government side, are very much looking forward to it.

It was Fianna Fáil's Private Members' time tonight. Following discussions with the leader of the Independent group, with whom Senator Ross does not seem to have communicated, on two occasions, I decided to forfeit Fianna Fáil's time tonight to allow all Members to make statements on the economy and I understand this was welcome.