Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Bacik, Boyle, Twomey, Ellis, Buttimer, Glynn, Healy Eames, Leyden, Mullen, Corrigan, Regan, Hanafin, de Búrca, Mary White, Carroll, O'Donovan, Keaveney, Carty, O'Sullivan, together with the Cathaoirleach, offered the new Senator their heartiest congratulations. With two new Members, Senators Carroll and Ó Brolcháin who took their seats in the past four weeks, the House will be well served in the future by their determination, expertise and quality. We look forward immensely to working with them during the next two and half years.

Senator Fitzgerald, in particular, and other colleagues called for a debate on jobs, competitiveness and matters relating to the public sector. Second Stage of the Bill dealing with the public sector will be taken on Thursday, with Committee and Remaining Stages to be taken all day on Friday. Colleagues are concerned about many issues which they can bring to the attention of the Minister during the debate on the Bill on Thursday and Friday. They are worthy of concern and can be raised with the Minister when he is present in the House on Thursday.

As Leader of the House, I join colleagues in offering our sincere and deepest sympathy to the father and mother of the late Garda Gary McLoughlin. For him to lose his life at the age of 24 years in the course of defending the legislation we put through in these Houses is a tragedy. To his mother and father, Una and Noel, and family, we convey our deepest sympathy. As has been said, it brings home to us the risks members of the Garda Siochána, the Defence Forces and the Air Corps face in protecting us as citizens. Our prayers go out to them. I have already given a commitment that a debate on crime will take place. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform will be present in the House for such a debate.

On the Law Reform Commission's proposals on protecting oneself in one's own home, we all remember the death of Mr. Barry in Waterford. I will have no difficulty in allowing the House to reflect on the proposals made. We will discuss them in the first few weeks after the Christmas recess. The Law Reform Commission has presented its proposals in the form of draft legislation. It is our duty and responsibility, as legislators, to ensure we continue to do anything we can to put fear back into the law.

Senators O'Toole, MacSharry and Mullen called on the Minister for Finance to make provision for mortgage protection measures. As Members have often said on the contents of the MacSharry report, it is necessary to protect those with a very good track record in making repayments. Young couples who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own and who made their repayments during the past five to seven years must be protected for the next year or two until there is a turnaround in the economy and they return to employment. The Minister has provided that those who purchased homes when prices were at their peak in the boom years 2005 to 2007 will be able to avail of an extended period of six to 12 months to make their mortgage repayments, but there are those who will come under the auspices of NAMA. I know some mortgage companies are charging rates of 11% and 12% and these are the ones which have to be addressed. It is my intention that this matter should be brought to the Minister's attention when he is present in the House this week to examine what we, as legislators, can do to deal with it as a matter of urgency. We do not want anyone to lose his or her family home because someone is ripping him or her off. In the crudest sense, that is what is happening to the most decent and hard working boys and girls, the families of the men and women who worked hard during the years. They are being ripped off and we have a duty to act to protect them.

Senators Bacik, Twomey, Norris, Mullen, Regan and Hanafin called for a debate on required legislation and on the Minister to introduce such legislation as a matter of urgency on foot of the judgment in the Supreme Court today on the protection of human embryos and in response to the serious call made by the Judiciary for the Oireachtas to introduce legislation and make a definite decision on the issue. I will have no difficulty in arranging such a debate at the earliest possible time when we return after the Christmas recess.

Senator Norris called for a debate on the Corrib gas field. I have already given a commitment that such a debate will take place. The Independents are due next to have a debate in Private Members' time. Perhaps their leader, Senator O'Toole, might consider accommodating Senator Norris's request.

Senator Glynn called for a debate on the drugs culture and expressed his horror at the death in Mullingar. I have already given a commitment that a debate will take place in the House and I will have no difficultly in allocating time for it in the first two or three weeks after we return following the Christmas recess.

Senator Ellis asked the up-to-date position on the flooding along the banks of the River Shannon, in Cork and many other parts of the country and what would be the long-term plan, having regard to the Doherty report which embraces the three previous reports on the flooding and management of the River Shannon. Such consideration would be worthwhile. I intend to set aside an afternoon to allow Members to make recommendations to the Minister after we return following the Christmas recess.

Senator Healy Eames called for the debate on the Ryan report to be continued. I have already given a commitment to that effect. I support the sentiments expressed by her in that regard. She also sought a debate on the accountability of local government. The debate on the Appropriation Bill to be taken in the House on Thursday will present an ideal opportunity to raise that matter. I will allow a timeframe to enable colleagues to bring matters of expenditure to the Minister's attention in that debate. I strongly recommend that Senator Healy Eames would take up the matter with the Minister during the debate on the Appropriation Bill on Thursday.

Senators Mullen, Corrigan, Keaveney, Mary White and Carroll applauded the allocation of €47 million for mental health, in which we are all aware the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, played an important role. He has responded to the challenge of being an active Minister with responsibility for this serious portfolio. I will provide time for such a debate in the first three to four weeks of the session following our return.

Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú paid tribute to the late Ciarán Mac Mathúna. He was one of the greatest men of his time. The first time I heard of the McPeakes of Armagh, Felix Doran or the great Joe Burke was on his programme, "A Job of Journeywork". He uplifted the people as far back as the 1950s. He came to our towns and villages with the old Volkswagen RTE outside broadcast unit. As Senator Ó Murchú outlined, he compiled an archive of hidden treasures. No one else could have stayed up until 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. in the morning listening to tunes. A famous piece of music is called after the great Junior Crehan. All of those archive pieces would possibly have been lost forever were it not for Ciarán Mac Mathúna. I join with Senator Ó Murchú in offering his wife Dolly and his family our deepest sympathy on the passing of a great Irishman.

Senators Hanafin and Quinn called for a debate on genetic modification, science and the challenge facing us in this area. I have no difficulty in ensuring such a debate takes place. Senator Quinn also called for a debate on nuclear energy, the challenge facing this country in the future in terms of energy costs and where we are going in the face of that challenge. I have already given a commitment for such a debate to take place at the earliest opportunity.

Senator de Búrca referred to the citizens' initiative and the Green Paper that is due to be published. That is a timely call and I have no difficulty agreeing to accept her proposal in that regard.

Senator Coghlan welcomed the support of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy Cullen, on the proposed move of the Abbey Theatre to the GPO. I fully agree with that. I have long advocated such a move, along with Senator Norris. I wholeheartedly welcome the Minister's announcement, to which I pledge my full support. The GPO is the right place for that national treasure. As Senator Coghlan correctly indicated, that location will also save the State €80 million to €90 million.

Senators Carroll and Mary White outlined to the House the serious challenge presented by suicide. Senator White referred also to widowhood. We learn much about up to date statistical data from Senator Mary White every week. She is to be congratulated on her total commitment to this area. I have no difficulty in having further debates on that issue in the near future.

Senator O'Donovan welcomed the proposals on the Cork to Swansea ferry, which are before the people of Cork and the Government for their final consideration. That is great news for tourism in the south.

Senator O'Sullivan called for a debate on teachers' issues. That is a timely call, as discussion on it can be included in the debate on the Bill before the House on Thursday and all day Friday. If any Senator wishes to bring an issue to my attention after that I would be only too pleased to support him or her in that call.