Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Harris, Ormonde, Ó Murchú, Burke, Coffey, Alex White, McCarthy and Buttimer called for a debate on public sector reform. Senator Harris touched on the issue earlier and is correct in terms of how influential this House can be and the part we can play once we take ourselves seriously. I congratulate the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, on his attention to detail yesterday on Second Stage of the National Asset Management Agency Bill. Almost every Member of Seanad Éireann made a contribution to the debate and the Minister responded to everyone individually, despite the late hour. I thank him for doing so. There is a need for targets to be set and to do everything possible in terms of productivity. The public service has made an immense contribution and we want to help it in every way we can in the national interest. I have no difficulty in having an all day debate on the proposal made earlier.

Senator Buttimer called for a debate on social welfare. I suggest the issue could be discussed in the pre-budget debate. The Social Welfare Bill will be brought before the House in the last sitting week before Christmas.

Senator Coffey called for a debate on road safety. We will have no difficulty in arranging for such a debate to take place. The Senator correctly pointed to the lack of service stations, particularly on the motorway with which he is most familiar, the M9. I will mention the matter to the Minister later this afternoon and do everything I can to advance it, as I am aware such services are badly needed.