Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Coghlan, Norris, Ormonde and Hanafin all expressed concern over FÁS. As we all know, the Bill the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced yesterday will be before the House very shortly. I welcome the reduction in the membership of the board from 17 to 11. All matters pertaining to FÁS and its role can be discussed without a deadline when discussing any part or section of the Bill. I look forward to Members expressing their great concerns when considering the Bill. I join Senator Hanafin in noting the great work FÁS has done over the years. Never was it more needed for upskilling and retraining than at present. I agree that everything we do should take competitiveness and job creation into account. Fairness and the social implications, which could be overlooked under the difficult circumstances in which we find ourselves, must also be kept centre-stage.

Senators O'Toole and Alex White referred to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. I look forward to attending the meeting of the committee with the Cathaoirleach. Everything should be done to be helpful to him in the Chair. His impartiality in the House is crucial and I compliment him on what he has done since he took office two and a half years ago. It is also a matter of meeting the concerns of the Members, such that they would not be in any way disadvantaged and would be allowed to discuss the views of the public in respect of our daily run-of-the-mill activities. It is a question of keeping the Seanad relevant and we must consider what we can achieve as Members of the House.

Senator Alex White asked far-reaching questions. He knows, as do all Members, that confidentiality is required by the Minister for Finance in respect of the content of the budget. We know that €4 billion in cuts has been mentioned. In order to know the percentage of this sum that will pertain to taxation or expenditure cuts, we will just have to wait until the budget is announced in December.

Senator Bacik and Norris referred to the implications of the Lisbon treaty for workers rights. I am pleased to inform the House we will have the Minister present to discuss matters pertaining to the Lisbon treaty next Wednesday. All issues can be discussed on that date. If further time is required for debate, I will have no difficulty in allowing for it at a later date.

With regard to the NAMA debate, time can be allowed to discuss at the earliest opportunity all the issues concerning finance and the MacSharry report. Senator MacSharry proposed this morning that, if the leaders of the various groups are agreeable, we could discuss two portfolios each Wednesday night instead of Private Members' business, from now until the first week in December. I have certainly no difficulty in allocating Fianna Fáil's time next week to start the process. I will discuss this with the leaders after the Order of Business. It is a very worthwhile proposal and shows the bona fides of all political parties and groupings in the House in respect of our concerns regarding the forthcoming budget.