Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Yes, we will go as far as Committee Stage today and take Report Stage next week, by agreement of the House.

Senators Twomey, O'Toole, Alex White, Donohoe, Ross, Coughlan, Ó Murchú, Healy Eames, Butler, Harris, Phelan, Norris, Buttimer, Quinn, Callely, Glynn, Reilly and Hanafin all gave the House the benefit of their views on the challenge facing the Government in the budget which will be announced next Wednesday. This is the greatest single challenge facing the country and the Government. We are all hoping and praying it will be the start of the revival of the economy. It is extremely important that the Government makes the right decisions in the face of this challenge. That is the message I am getting from all sides of the House. I have every confidence that the difficulties being experienced and the negotiations with the social partners indicate that the people expect change in the public service and that public servants expect this very necessary change. Pay cuts are urgently needed. Like all my colleagues, I hope these take place in the budget next Wednesday.

In response to Senator Alex White's call for an urgent debate on climate change, I will endeavour to hold it on Wednesday morning or late on Tuesday evening. I fully share the Senator's sentiments about the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government being given the opportunity to convey the views of this House at the conference in Copenhagen.

Senators Hannigan and Ó Murchú expressed their serious concern about the need for the Government to hold funding for overseas aid at its current level. I will pass on their strong views to the Minister after the Order of Business.

In response to Senator Phelan, we had to change the Order of Business yesterday, by agreement with party spokespersons who were in the House for the debate on the preceding Bill. I apologise to colleagues for the inconvenience this caused in respect of the Labour Services (Amendment) Bill. The Minister's office was contacted and the Minister was in agreement. I apologise to the spokespersons who were handling the Bill on behalf of various parties. I will endeavour to put a procedure in place to ensure this does not happen again. My secretariat will contact spokespersons' offices when we endeavour to continue a debate for an extra half an hour or so to conclude a Bill, as ordered and agreed in the House.

Senator Callely called for a debate on the protection of trademarks and tradenames and intellectual property. I will have no difficulty in agreeing to such a debate. I understand this is one of the countries which is most up to date in protecting intellectual property rights but something urgent needs to be done to protect trademarks and tradenames.

I will pass on Senator Norris's strong views and concerns about the invasion of Uganda to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Senator Glynn called for an urgent debate on drug abuse and misuse and the drugs scourge, particularly in the town of Moate which we all know so well. We were all surprised that this was happening at such a level and by the news we received last week of its horrific outcome. I concur with the Senator on the good work being done by the joint policing committees.

Senator Corrigan asked about the Multi-Unit Development Bill 2009. This Bill completed Second Stage in the House before the summer recess. Since the Bill's publication, a considerable number of submissions have been received from stakeholders. Important issues were also raised during the Seanad debate such as the scope of the Bill and whether mixed use developments and traditional housing estates should be included in it, voting rights and dispute resolution mechanisms. Another major feature of the submission received is in the commitments made on the planning process and building control standards, which are the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The completion of the developments in compliance with planning conditions and building control standards is a major issue.

The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has held consultations with the relevant stakeholders. Discussions with other Departments, the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel are now taking place with a view to preparing and drafting the Committee Stage amendments. This is the up to date position on the Bill-----