Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, MacSharry, Norris, Coghlan, O'Reilly, Callely, Donohoe and Cummins called for a debate on job creation and the situation in SR Technics. Over the past ten or 11 years the Government created 700,000 jobs. That is a fact, and it should be acknowledged. There is a global downturn and Ireland is no different from any other country of similar size. It has been hit severely and that is the reason the number of unemployed has increased. With regard to the call for a further debate on job creation, I have no difficulty with arranging it but I earnestly ask Senators who have made these requests to be present for the debate and to make a contribution when the Tánaiste is in the House.

The big benefit with regard to the 300 jobs at Dublin Airport being discussed by the Tánaiste, departmental officials, the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Michael O'Leary and the Ryanair team is that, as Senators correctly pointed out today, there is a highly qualified group of people available for those jobs. No training will be necessary. All the expertise and skills are available in abundance and have been for the past 15 years or so. I wish everybody concerned well and hope that common sense will prevail in order that these jobs can be recreated at Dublin Airport. If further staff are required, there is a qualified group of people available and ready to start work immediately.

Senators Alex White, Feeney, Mullen, Ormonde, Bacik and Corrigan called for an urgent debate on the report of the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children. I have no difficulty with arranging such a debate and will inform the House tomorrow of a date. It is my wish that it will take place within the next two weeks.

Senators MacSharry and Boyle asked that the Minister for Foreign Affairs be invited to the House for a debate on the Middle East and counterfeit Irish passports. This is a serious challenge to the reputation of our country and its citizens. I will arrange to hold that debate at the earliest opportunity.

Senators Twomey, Norris, Hannigan, Mooney and Keaveney sought an urgent debate on local radio, the media in general and the changes that will take place in 2012 due to digital broadcasting. The cost of local radio, as was outlined to the House, is prohibitive to small local radio stations. I would like to think there will be an appeal mechanism whereby inability to pay will be considered, and if such a measure is not in place the Bill should revisit both Houses in order that an amendment can be made. The current success of communications is in local radio. It brings communities together and relays their achievements. In terms of volunteers and volunteerism we must support all local radio in this regard. I have no difficulty in allocating time for a debate on this issue.

Senator Leyden referred to articles in the media, on which I have no difficulty having a debate.

Senators Hannigan and Donohoe called for a debate on emigration, which can be discussed when the Tánaiste is again present in the House.

Senators Norris and Ormonde called for a debate on morality and morality in public life, which is a very worthwhile suggestion and I will do everything I can to facilitate it.

Senators Ó Murchú, Reilly and Glynn called for the House to acknowledge and participate in the Irish language fortnight which starts on 5 March. I have no difficulty in having a debate on the Irish language prior to St. Patrick's Day. It is very timely and I will facilitate it in two weeks' time, which will be the first week of the events which are taking place. I congratulate all young people, as Senator Ó Murchú said, for their achievements, endeavour and total commitment to the Irish language.

Senator Coghlan again outlined to the House the issue of fair play in the grocery market. He participated in the review of the groceries order during the last Dáil term as a member of the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment. This issue should be dealt with as a matter of urgency at its meeting today and I strongly suggest the Senator bring it to the attention of the Chairman to see what further progress we can make in this area. It is an extremely difficult area and one at which politicians will again have to have a serious look in terms of the issues outlined by Senator Coghlan.

Senator Hannigan welcomed the debate on Northern Ireland tomorrow, and I look forward to the full and total support of all parties in the House for the debate. It would be very timely if the new leader of the SDLP Ms Margaret Ritchie, MLA, was present for part of the debate. We would welcome her to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery.

Senator Reilly referred to the RSA and its proper monitoring. I agree with his sentiments and support him in his call for such a debate.

Senators Ó Brolcháin and Cannon called for a debate on rural transport. As they come from Galway it is timely that they support the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, who has been a champion of rural transport and independent rural bus operators, as was outlined to the House by Senator Ó Brolcháin. I have no difficulty having a debate on this matter. Senator Cannon might discuss the matter with the leader of Fine Gael, as it will have Private Members' time next week. This is a very important topic to bring to the attention of the House. We could discuss it, tease it out and see what can be done, as a matter of urgency, for independent private bus operators who can extend the areas of the existing rural transport scheme.

Senators Ormond and Bacik called for a debate on and the roll of VECs. I gave a commitment to House on this matter and to ask the Minister, Deputy O'Keeffe, to come before the House to debate the issue. I welcome the announcement by the Minister today of €579 million in funding for 52 school building projects, which will be moved to tender and construction and will create 23,500 school places in 20 new schools and 32 extended and refurbished schools. At primary level over 14,500 pupils will get primary school places as a result of this announcement. It is to be very much welcomed in extremely difficult financial times.

Senators Harris and Buttimer called for a debate on broadcasting, politics and the challenging issue of the media being in a sensational race to the bottom. Politicians are striving to keep the confidence of the people and to try to assist them in every way possible. However, the media, members of which are receiving large salaries for their endeavours, are doing the complete opposite. Public service broadcasting, in particular, has a major responsibility in playing its part in assisting the 437,000 people who are unemployed or those currently on the margins. What programming is uplifting in that area? The chairman of the RTE board and the director general of RTE have major responsibility for this area. It is about time we started telling the Irish people the positives and the negatives which are coming out day after day. The advice given by an experienced person such as Senator Harris to the House has to be taken with the utmost seriousness. I will allocate half a day at the earliest possible time for a debate on this to allow Senator Harris and all other Senators to lead the Upper House in order that we can have an upper media as we have an Upper House in Parliament.

Senator Quinn referred to legal services and the Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill which passed both Houses but has not yet been enacted. I will make inquiries and revert to him.

Senator Boyle joined the Cathaoirleach in thanking former Senator Déirdre de Búrca for her contribution. I wish her all the luck in the world in whatever direction she takes. She has a lot of ability and I wish her well in her future role.

Senator McFadden referred to a constituent in Longford-Westmeath who was made redundant on 18 November and will not receive redundancy payments until the middle of the year. It is very difficult to know how anyone can survive for seven or eight months in such a situation. It is unfair. It is bad enough to lose one's employment. This is an area in which we can all play a part in terms of parliamentary parties. We will bring the issue to the attention of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting next week to see what we can achieve. I will discuss it with the Minister concerned. It is unacceptable. It is a matter of urgency and we will treat it as such.

Senator Cannon inquired when sports capital grants will be re-introduced. They have been a huge success and have transformed our sporting facilities. Massive amounts of money have been given to projects across the country. I support him in this call. My guess is that it will be 2012 because the economic situation at the current time, as we all know, is difficult. There is a large amount of money waiting to be claimed by projects which have qualified. A number of projects have work in progress or the work has been completed.