Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, Norris, Leyden, Coghlan, Mooney and Regan all expressed shock and disappointment at the events that took place yesterday for four hours at Dublin Airport. I welcome the support right across the House this morning for the fact that every business related decision for the foreseeable future must be taken in the national interest. Every family in Ireland has benefited one way or another from the Celtic tiger, although some perhaps a great deal more than the vast majority. At this crucial moment in our country's history, however, every decision to be made by organisations and their employees should be in the national interest.

I heard the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, on the radio this morning speaking of his determination on this issue. I do not believe that any Minister over the past 25 years has a better record in terms of carrying through a decision once it has been made. I listened attentively to his views this morning and he invited all concerned to refer the dispute to the Labour Court as a matter of urgency. As Senator Mooney has said, the Labour Court should make itself available for an emergency session, with which I fully agree. The Minister emphasised that if this does not happen, measures to protect essential services will need to be summarily introduced. It is to be hoped common sense will prevail and we shall return to the norm pertaining on 31 December regarding the conditions for employment at that date, with the Labour Court in its wisdom seeking to achieving the consensus everyone knows must be reached.

Air traffic controllers are highly specialised when it comes to the safety of air traffic. Theirs is a very successful record and they have been totally committed down through the years. The fact that there has been no major disturbance in their ranks since 1987 is an outstanding achievement. Be that as it may, in the national interest and mindful of our exports, as an island nation we do not have the luxury other countries might have of being next door to their markets. I said, yesterday, on the Order of Business that common sense must prevail. I agree with Senator Mooney, who has been chairman of Fáilte Ireland's north-west division, that resolution of the problem is essential. One of the three planks in Ireland's recovery must be tourism. It is a vital part of the services sector and is one area in which Ireland plc has an exemplary record in terms of the numbers of hours lost through industrial action. We want this tradition to continue.

Senator Buttimer has reminded the House that the national understanding and social partnership have been the backbone of this achievement. They eliminated the strike culture we were familiar with in the early 1980s. I listened to the Minister's comments on social partnership this morning, and perhaps this could be another new year's resolution aimed at getting everyone back to reconsider such an initiative. Based on the example of other countries facing chronic economic difficulties, the Government made the right decision in the budget, and everyone on the island, I believe, wants to get on with that.

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White and Ó Brolcháin called for a debate on the McCarthy report with special reference to the Minister's announcement yesterday concerning the NUI. I fully agree with Senator O'Toole about the protection of the brand name, and there is no difficulty in having this debated.

Senator Alex White called for the Minister of State with responsibility for children to come to the House in relation to the pre-school schemes. There is no problem in having that debated. Senator Ó Murchú referred to the homes and properties of the signatories of the Proclamation, which is of some significance given that the centenary of 1916, a subject touched on by Senators Keaveney and Buttimer, is so close. Today is an historic date, the 91st anniversary of the first Dáil. I wish well the seminar in Dublin Castle and the former Members of the Oireachtas who are attending. I hope to get there in the afternoon to join colleagues in their endeavours to acknowledge and celebrate the sitting of the first Dáil. I have no difficulty in bringing the expressions of concern by Senator Ó Murchú and colleagues to the Government's attention about the protection of the homes. We should do everything we can to celebrate the memory of the heroes of 1916, especially the signatories of the Proclamation. I am reading a brilliant book which details the final hours of those unfortunate men who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country in 1916. It contains their letters and details their experiences during the last ten days before they died. I fully share the sentiments expressed by Senator Ó Murchú and other colleagues in that regard.

Senator Twomey called for a debate on the state of the roads and the funding that will have to be made available because of the damage caused by the inclement weather. I will have no difficulty in allowing such a debate to take place.

Senator Ó Brolcháin is seeking a debate on the provision of a training vessel, a good proposal. I will certainly do everything I can to arrange such a debate at the earliest opportunity.