Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

I join others in welcoming the release of my local Clontarf girl, Sharon Commins, and her Ugandan colleague. I salute Sharon and Hilda in getting through their ordeal. Equally, and most important, I congratulate the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Sudanese authorities and others involved on successfully achieving their target of the safe release of the two girls. It was known from early on where the girls were located. Given the intelligence available, people could have gone in to them to try to free them, to bombard where they were and try to get them free. However, 107 days later they achieved their success without difficulty. It is fair to congratulate all involved in the difficult and delicate discussions and negotiations that took place.

I listened with interest to what people have said about Seanad reform and one should take the opportunity to congratulate Enda Kenny on stimulating debate on this issue. There is no doubt there is room for plenty - I underline that word - of improvement in respect of Seanad reform. There has been comment on the work schedule of the Seanad this week. There are many important economic and financial issues that should be on our agenda, such as the €24 billion deficit for this year alone, the NAMA business plan, industrial unrest, the banking difficulties that everyone in the country is experiencing at present and the difficulties being experienced by SMEs. Every household is experiencing difficulties with regard to job losses and so on. We all know the list and we all know it goes on.

However, I have called on the Leader, probably half a dozen times in the House, to consult the other leaders so as to have a debate on the economic and financial issues facing the country pencilled into our schedule every week.