Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Bacik, Ross, Ó Murchú, Quinn, Feeney, Norris, Ó Brolcháin, Mooney, Donohoe, Hanafin, Mullen and Healy Eames have all expressed their serious concern and made a strong case for justice for victims. The terrible things that happened in the past must not happen again. I wish to inform the House that the report on the Constitution will be before the House for consideration next Wednesday. On the Order of Business yesterday, many colleagues were concerned we keep the pressure on with regard to this issue. The report will be debated in the House next Wednesday and if enough time is not available, I will roll the debate over until the following week. Seanad Éireann will be to the fore in doing anything it can for the protection of children. I speak for colleagues on all sides of the House in this regard.

On the issue of job creation, the Tánaiste was present here for a debate on this issue two weeks ago last Thursday. If colleagues are serious in their request for a further debate on job creation, I will include it in the diary for the coming weeks. However, I will only do that with strong assurance from party leaders that the time will not fall as happened on the last occasion. I want to be sure of the sincerity of the call for a debate. If colleagues commit to coming in and making their contributions, I will allocate as much time as necessary and the Tánaiste will make herself available for that time. The facts are, however, we have created 700,000 jobs in the past ten or 11 years. We also have 1.85 million people still at work, which is 600,000 more than in the downturn in the 1980s. It was said this morning that the Government is not committed to creating employment. It is fully committed to supporting and creating employment. Let me give a few examples. The employment subsidy scheme, which is designed to support and maintain vulnerable jobs and prevent people from being made redundant, has allocated €135 million to protect employment between 2009 and 2010. It is estimated that approximately 80,000 jobs will be directly and indirectly supported and retained as a result of the scheme. I personally know of many SMEs which are availing of this scheme and, at a meeting I attended last Saturday, it was said to be a godsend that the Government introduced this scheme to retain jobs that are hanging on by the fingernails.

With regard to major investment in infrastructure, the Government has invested €6.4 billion in 2010, with priority in labour-intensive projects to support another 60,000 jobs. Investment by the Government in projects will include, as we now know, €500 million in school building projects, particularly in the maintenance sector, and over €800 million in local authority housing, including special needs accommodation and the public housing sector. Finally, in 2010, the Government is investing €1.15 billion in national roads, and nearly 300 km of new roads will be completed this year. These are the facts. We must acknowledge that in very difficult financial times a serious effort is being made by the Government to assist in every way possible.

Senators Bacik, Coffey, White, Ó Brolcháin and Healy Eames called for a debate on education and welcomed the €600 million announced yesterday for 52 new school projects which are going to tender or construction, or for which the appointing of design teams has been allowed. This is a very welcome announcement, particularly in regard to all of the structural engineers and quantity surveyors whose skills will be required at the planning stage, many of whom are in urgent need of work. I support Senator MacSharry's point that we should do everything we can to ensure Irish companies are considered and that, if there is a 50-50 situation, an Irish company should be employed. We make no apologies to anyone for making a commitment to keep Irish people employed, particularly those who are in the qualified services sector, which is crucial because this is the first step in regard to all of the processes beginning again. I support the views of all Members who referred to this issue today.

I will, of course, arrange a debate on education. I have made a commitment in this regard. I have had to change the date with the Minister because the Finance Bill is coming to the Seanad but I will endeavour to have a new date for the House and will inform Members in this regard, perhaps on the Order of Business on Tuesday next.

Senator Butler referred to the issue of the all-party report on mortgages by the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs in the context of the 24 months moratorium for those who have lost their jobs. I have no difficulty in having that report discussed in the House. It would be timely if we could discuss it with the Finance Bill, with the Minister for Finance present, and I ask Senator Butler to accede to this request. On the occasion of the Finance Bill, as I said, I intend to allow extra time for every Senator to make a contribution on Second Stage. I will take this proposal to the leaders' meeting before the Order of Business next Tuesday.

Senator Regan called for a debate on the Prevention of Electoral Abuses Act, which I have no difficulty in arranging. My long experience in both Houses would lead me to suggest to the Senator that the word here is "knowingly". That is the problem with the case he is trying to make and I do not believe that will-----