Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, MacSharry, Coghlan, Ó Murchú, Buttimer, Regan, Callely, McFadden, Hannigan, Hanafin, Walsh and O'Reilly expressed their opinions on matters pertaining to the Order of Business. It is my intention to start the debate on the NAMA legislation at 10.30 a.m. next Monday, with Committee and remaining Stages on Tuesday and Wednesday. The procedure in the House has always been to discuss every section and every line of every Bill. It is our intention to afford as much time as necessary to consider this important Bill. I look forward to the participation of every Senator, as Members will play their part and give of their expertise and experience to the Government where this testing legislation is concerned. We all hope and look forward to NAMA working, turning the economy around, restoring Ireland to its rightful place, putting people back to work and restoring our competitiveness, which is key.

I compliment everyone who played a part in social partnership over the years. I am heartened to hear that talks are ongoing. People can be disappointed, frustrated and annoyed by losing jobs and money in their pay packets, but this matter must be negotiated around the table. I look forward to there being common sense. As far as I can ascertain, everyone wants to play a part, be it on the street, in the workplace or at home. However, I remind the Government that they want to know for how long they must play their parts. Is it for one, two or three years? If possible, there should be a timeframe. Everyone realises the country's difficulties and wants to play a part.

Many Senators expressed strong opinions on the lack of funding at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin and the plight of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. In recent days, I endeavoured to arrange for the Minister for Health and Children to attend the House this week, but she will be out of the country for the remainder of the week. As a matter of urgency, I intend to bring her to the House the very minute we conclude our deliberations on the National Asset Management Agency Bill next week. I agree with the many concerns raised by Senators about emergency operations. One life lost for the sake of money is one life too many. The story of the young person with two holes in their heart would draw a tear from a stone. Every Senator wishes that seriously ill patients be given priority and attended to immediately.

Senators MacSharry, Buttimer, Walsh and Mullen called for a pre-budget debate. Every Senator has already agreed to this and I have given my word that it will occur. I hope that it will be held on the week after the NAMA legislation, which will give us plenty of time ahead of the budget due, as we all know, in the second week of December. All matters pertaining to the economy can be discussed during the debate.

I will forward Senator Coghlan's views to the Minister and make inquiries regarding the legislation on the future lord mayor of Dublin and so on. Senators Glynn and de Búrca called for a debate with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government regarding the latter Senator's serious concerns about climate change and the ongoing Copenhagen convention, which we all want to see make progress. The Government intends to play its part. As the Senators stated, legally binding agreements on the serious challenges facing the world would be wonderful.

Senators called for a debate on the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, DDDA. I will do my utmost to determine whether that is possible.

Senator Glynn referred to people who park in disabled spots, but dealing with them is simple. All a disabled driver needs to do is park his or her car outside the spot and leave it there until he or she has finished shopping. If the other driver must wait an hour or two, he or she will learn not to park there anymore. This conduct is unfair. People are generally generous in helping those who are less fortunate and it is only the few who give a bad impression. They should not be allowed to continue doing so. I agree with the Senator that there should be severe penalties for doing so.

I will pass Senator Norris's strong views along and inquire of the Minister for Foreign Affairs about the person arrested on 28 October.

Senators Norris and Hanafin referred to Shell to Sea and planning concerns. Senator Hanafin spoke about the huge opportunity provided by the considerable gas find off the coast of County Mayo. We look forward to gas being brought ashore at the earliest possible time.

As Leader of the House, I join Senators in congratulating everyone involved in Trinity College, Dublin on the breakthrough in dealing with the terrible scourge of cancer. We all heard the wonderful news on television last night and I congratulate wholeheartedly all those involved. I look forward to this breakthrough helping millions in the years to come.

Senator Ó Murchú welcomed the huge increase in consumer confidence. The latest report is a ray of hope and indicates the earliest stages of the green shoots in a return to economic growth. I hope that, with the increase in consumer confidence, unemployment will decline. Like the Senator, I congratulate those in the media who have helped to bring this report to the attention of the people.

Senators Mary White and Glynn called for a debate on the alarming CSO figures for those who took their lives in the first three months of the year and the large increase in the number self-harming. I will have no difficulty in having this issue debated in the House.

Senator Bacik called for a debate on No. 32 on the Order Paper, a motion on the participation of women in politics. I understand the Joint Committee on the Constitution will discuss the issue tomorrow. Some 20% of the Members of this House are ladies. I remember in the 2002 general election-----