Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I am glad to hear it. Will the Leader arrange a debate on Ireland, as a matter of urgency? Since the Seanad last met, 174,000 more people have joined the dole queue and net emigration is once again exceeding immigration. That causes a brain drain and skills deficit. Perhaps the largest skills deficit we have is in the Government. In light of the Tánaiste's comments this morning in the Dáil, what will shape the Government's budgetary strategy in December? Will it be the McCarthy report or the report of the Commission on Taxation, or does the Government even know? I notice that the spokesman on hardship, the Deputy Leader of this House, is missing. We heard him throughout the summer speaking from the plinth and everywhere else, waxing lyrical about what he intended to do. However, he has not come here today to face the Members of this House. What is happening with the McCarthy report? The Government commissioned that report but we now hear from a combination of Ministers, backbenchers and Senators that it is all a bottle of smoke. Will the Leader explicitly state what will shape the Government's strategy in the December budget?

Second, in the context of the debate on the economy later, I join Senator Ó Domhnaill is calling for a debate on the banking sector before the House debates the NAMA legislation, assuming it passes all Stages in the other House. Is the Leader aware this issue does not just affect business? Ordinary citizens who bought houses at inflated prices are now unable to pay the mortgage because they have lost their jobs. The banks are threatening repossession. More importantly, people have committed suicide or are on the verge of doing so or have reached the end of their patience with life. It is an appalling vista. There has been nothing from the Government to help the ordinary person who is in trouble. I am not referring to the developers who can huff and puff in the Supreme Court but to the ordinary person who has a special needs child whose class size has been increased or who has had their social welfare payment or their rate of pay cut and who is struggling. We have heard nothing from the Government. Perhaps the Leader will respond on that point.

Finally, could the Leader arrange an urgent debate on sport in Irish society? I have made this request previously and repeat it now. We must have a debate on the role of sport. Senator Daly should be humble in victory. I know he cannot really be humble but he should try just once. I congratulate Kerry on its victory; the team deserved to win. However, the Senator should be a little gracious. Anybody can play with the big ball but it is the small ball that counts.