John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

Given that we are debating job creation between 2.30 p.m. and 5 p.m., is it proposed that part of the debate will be given over to the Green Party's attempts to get a few jobs in Government, as was exposed in the national media? Is that party's policy on rotation to be adopted as Government policy for future job creation? Perhaps the Leader would enlighten me on that when he responds to the Order of Business.

When will we have our long sought debate on banking? Yesterday in the other House, the Taoiseach stated his belief that NAMA would free up credit to the economy. Numerous Government spokespersons, including in particular the Minister for Finance, have admitted that was never the intention for NAMA but the Taoiseach nevertheless made this claim once again yesterday. When will we have the debate on banking? We have sought it for three weeks and there is no indication of it taking place.

I join Senator Callely in seeking a debate on pensions. Yesterday I raised the issue of pensions for the spouses of self-employed people. The Government is in the midst of publishing proposals on completely reforming the pensions regime. We are led to believe that mandatory pensions will be introduced for all workers and that the pension age may be increased. We should have that discussion at the earliest opportunity. Finally, where does the Leader stand on the issue raised by Senators O'Toole, Coghlan, Norris and Donohoe, the fees and levies being imposed by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland on independent local and national radio stations? Last year, the average revenues of local radio stations decreased by over 30%, yet the authority is seeking a 27% increase in its budget this year. Most sectors of the economy are in decline and pressures on employment in broadcasting as well as in other sectors are very strong. Does the Leader consider it appropriate that the regulator of independent broadcasters should seek to increase its levy by 27%, thus putting more pressure on employment in the sector?