Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I can see how disappointed Senator Norris is by Senator Bacik leaving the Independent benches. I know the great wishes the Senator extended to her yesterday were heartfelt and really meant.

Senator O'Reilly referred to rural transport, which is to be debated in the House this evening. As Members all know, this magnificent service was an initiative of the current Government. Some 151,000 passengers used the facility in 2003 and last year 1.2 million passenger journeys took place. We realise the importance of the initiative, particularly in rural Ireland, and recognise that it is a great facility. An increase in the number of services from 40,000 in 2003 to 140,000 in 2008 shows how it is worthwhile. There has been an increase in funding from €3 million in 2003 to €11 million this year. I look forward to the debate on it this evening.

Senators MacSharry, Walsh, Healy Eames and Buttimer outlined a difficulty to the House regarding home repossessions. I welcome Senator MacSharry's report and I will leave time for the House to discuss it at the earliest opportunity. I will see if it is possible within the next two weeks. It goes to show that when a team is put together by a Member of the House - Senator MacSharry in this case - there can be good work producing fine proposals which can be of assistance to the Government and the Minister for Finance in framing his budget. There are challenges facing our young couples who have a good track record over the past four or five years and have not defaulted on payments.

If one or both members of a couple have had their income diminished because of unemployment, we have a duty, as outlined by Senator MacSharry, to address the matter. We should suspend payments indefinitely - for six months, a year or two years - and have it added to the end of the mortgage period. Young couples should not be crucified, to put a word on it, so they are not able to sleep at night or know where they are going. They fear losing their home and family possessions, for which they may have saved over seven, eight or ten years. We must do everything possible to assist such people in their hour of need. I thank Senator MacSharry for bringing us the paper for our consideration and I will allow time for it to be debated within the next two weeks.

Senator Coghlan spoke about the Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009 and it has been indicated to me that this will be joined with another Bill. I will come back to the House in the morning on this as I have correspondence on it in my office.