Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

If the banks decided in the morning to increase the trading figures on their interest accounts by even 1%, the businesses in question would need to close.

The banks, Government and everyone else has benefited from the endeavours of entrepreneurs and family businesses, which gave us parts one and two of the Celtic tiger. Whether one is a politician, banker or Minister, one has a duty to ensure entrepreneurs are supported. They do not believe that they are appreciated or that someone is speaking on their behalf. However, Seanad Éireann comprises captains of industry in Senators Quinn, Mary White and, to a lesser extent, myself. In the past tens of years, we have employed hundreds or, in Senator Quinn's case, thousands of people. We know what we are talking about, but none of us has seen anything like this previously.

Our debate will be held on 20 January, but I would have no difficulty in inviting the Taoiseach to the House to discuss the challenge facing the Government next year. It would be a timely invitation and I will endeavour to request the Taoiseach's attendance on behalf of Senator Ó Brolcháin, who called for the debate.

Senators Alex White, Boyle, Ó Brolcháin, Coffey, Hanafin, Mary White and Walsh referred to the challenge facing tourism. I have addressed the questions of jobs and competitiveness, but I have also given a commitment to the Leas-Chathaoirleach, Senator Burke, who has been calling for a debate on tourism for the past number of weeks. Given the amount of legislation that passed through the House in the past three or four weeks, however, holding the debate was impossible. It will be held during the early weeks of our return.

We have all made submissions regarding Seanad reform and are awaiting the Minister's consideration. He made a commitment to try to table the Bill for our consideration before Christmas, but events overtook the Government. During 2009, the Lisbon referendum took up much time, but was passed with the help of all colleagues. The NAMA challenge faced by the Government has passed. We will debate the up-to-date NAMA situation at the end of February. The budget was the greatest challenge faced by a Government in many years, perhaps since the 1984-87 Government. Today's business will finalise it.

This year also saw untimely floods. As the old saying goes, when it rains, it pours. In terms of ordering the business of the House, as Senators Cannon and Ellis requested, I will not let the challenge facing the Government in this regard fall off the agenda. We must determine how to meet the challenge and whether there is a long-term plan to address the difficulties being experienced by the people of Cork and the Shannon catchment area. The challenge is considerable and expensive. We should ensure the matter is raised at EU level at the earliest possible opportunity. The stewardship of the late Seán Doherty, a former Deputy and Cathaoirleach, encompassed three previous reports on this subject. I will allow time to debate the matter further during the early weeks of our return.

I agree with Senator Quinn on the issue of confidence. Confidence is a creature of those who have been entrepreneurs and those who work on the challenge of creating something, as they have always done throughout their lives. If credit is available, there will be confidence in abundance. It is the duty of the banks and the Government to ensure credit flows to SMEs, as it will result in a huge amount of confidence. Confidence is being knocked out of everyone, whether it be through the media or the functions of the Opposition, although it is its duty to try to tease out the issues involved. However, all of this is chipping away at the fibre of those who create - the 4% who are paying 50% of tax revenue. They are the champions who will get us out of this. If they are given the tools of their ware, they will get us out of the downturn in the economy. However, everyone has to play a part, whether it be the Government or the banks.

Senator Cummins called for a debate on justice matters, including the prisons and supporting gardaí. I will have no difficulty in providing time for such a debate.

Senators Bacik and Hanafin expressed their views on matters pertaining to the church and the huge contribution the Catholic Church has made in Ireland which the vast majority would like to see continue. I will provide time to allow this issue to be debated in the House.

Senator Callely called on the Government and the relevant agencies to look after the vulnerable in society, in particular vulnerable single people, particularly during this Christmas period. It is a difficult and challenging time for all those who are down on their luck, particularly single people, who are at high risk at this time of year. The Senator also called for a debate on the banks, particularly on the challenges faced by those unfortunate people who consider committing suicide at this time when the challenges are enormous. The Senator pointed to the problems encountered with mortgages.

Senator Regan referred to GDP, GNP and the challenges facing NAMA. We all know we are where we are today because of the global downturn. All fair-minded people would have to say that, until the United States economy begins to pick up-----