James Carroll (Fianna Fail)

I want to reiterate what Senator Keaveney had to say as regards the North. This is day ten of the negotiations and so many issues are being tied up in one. It seems the 13 members of the DUP are holding up the transfer of the policing and justice powers in a manner that could threaten the viability of the North's institutions and undermine all the good work achieved over so many years. It would be a terrible situation, in the event.

This ties in somewhat with the question of culture. I should mention the great exposure to Protestant culture I experienced when I went north of the Border during the summer in relation to a pipe band competition, attended by more than 10,000 people. I am from a rural Catholic background and it was unbelievable that I did not know such an event took place. It is the type of event that could be internationally marketed and branded as a cross-community institution. We should be making an effort advertise it to people from all cultures. As Senator Keaveney said, items such as a bodhrán and the Lambeg drum seem to separate people when they should be used to bring them together.

I second Senator Wilson's remarks about the financial institutions and what they are doing to people. I opened my constituency office this week in Drogheda and people have already called to it. They have made the point that people are being harassed and, as Senator Wilson said, it is not only weekly but daily and even hourly. People are getting calls in the morning and afternoon, with the reason for the call and who is calling being identified. There are huge issues in this regard. There are sad cases throughout the country of small business people being driven to suicide owing to the pressure being put on them. I urge the Leader to arrange for this debate as soon as it can be accommodated. The actions of these financial institutions, after getting assistance from the State, constitute a double whammy when they affect small business people and communities. It is an important issue.

I also ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the buy Irish label mentioned by Senators Glynn, Ó Murchú and Mooney. It is a huge issue. Irish smoked salmon and smoked Irish salmon are two totally different products but people are not aware of this. There are two main beneficiaries of such labels. One is Irish jobs and countering misleading labelling for people who think they are buying Irish when they are not . The second reason is the health benefits it can bring to people. Members of the House have taken part in Operation Transformation and they are doing a great job. In the interests of the health and jobs aspects of this issue I urge the Leader to accommodate this debate.