Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

The Minister for Health and Children must inform me, as Leader, before the Order of Business tomorrow morning as to why that carry-on is being allowed. It does not make sense. I will take up the matter with the Minister immediately after the Order of Business today and report back to this House in the morning. I thank Senator Prendergast for bringing the matter to the attention of the House.

Senator Coghlan called for a debate on the CIE report. I have no difficulty with such a debate taking place. Senators Norris, Healy Eames, Bacik and Hannigan called for a debate on education in the context of the Ryan report. I join with Senator Walsh in complimenting the Catholic Church on all it has done for education and the good work it has done through the years. We are proud of what it has done. No other organisation took on the responsibility when no funding whatsoever was available, for example, in the 1920s and 1930s and all those years when not a penny was available to assist the underprivileged. I compliment the church and acknowledge its work.

Senator Norris spoke about the Derry City football team. We certainly do want to see that opportunity lost. Much good work has been done by the team in that city. It provided a release valve, pride and a taste of success to men who so richly deserved it but who had been denied it for generations.

Senator Regan called for a business plan and spoke especially about matters pertaining to NAMA. Further clarification can be sought when the Minister is in the House today. I know the Senator will avail of that opportunity.

Senators Ross, Hanafin, Ó Murchú, Mullen, Bacik and Walsh condemned capital punishment and supported this country's opposition to it. Capital punishment exists in some states in America, but one state is one state too many. I fully support the sentiments that have been expressed by colleagues this morning. I will pass on their views to the Minister.

Senators Hanafin, Buttimer and Hannigan spoke about the pre-budget debate. All parties should come to the House to give it the benefit of their proposals, on which the Minister can then adjudicate. The strength of having a pre-budget debate is that party proposals can be considered by the Minister. When the budget is published parties can then agree or disagree on an individual basis. This is a wonderful opportunity when the Minister will be present and all parties can make their proposals to assist him and the Government with the challenging budget that is facing the country.

Senator Buttimer referred to the Irish Banking Federation, IBF, pledge to home owners, which we all fully support and welcome. The former Senator, Pat Farrell, is in charge of the IBF. Everything and anything that can be done to assist the plight of the home owner should be done.

Senators Harris, Mullen and Burke raised the issue of bank credit. Senator Harris correctly pointed out that the major challenges facing families and individuals are the lack of bank credit, the loss of jobs and personal debt. To say the least, that puts it all in a nutshell. We must give all the assistance we possibly can to the 300,000 people in difficulty or worrying about mortgage repayments. The expertise and experience we have gained through life will be called upon in the coming months to assist those people. The day has come when we might have to consider two-generation mortgages. The system works extremely well in other countries. Such a change would take much of the financial burden from those with mortgages who are perhaps trying to achieve too much too quickly in the current climate. Things were great for ten or 12 years but the financial challenge that everyone is facing now has to be considered in a different light. That is one possibility we could consider.

On the various expressions of socialism, being left, right and centre of parties, and where colleagues on the opposite side of the House see themselves; it is interesting to note the background of some colleagues and how many parties they were a member of, especially one or two, before they finally rested where they are today.

Senator Healy Eames raised the filling of the vacant seats in the Seanad by-elections. I listened to her views with interest. It is a constitutional requirement that the Seanad has 60 Members. I look forward to welcoming each and every one of the three new Seanad colleagues who will be with us at the start of business shortly after Christmas. Two new Senators will attend in the last week of the current session. I look forward to welcoming them to the House.