Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Bacik, Ó Brolcháin, McFadden, Buttimer, Donohoe, Regan, Dearey, Coghlan, Cannon and John Paul Phelan expressed shock and horror at the case highlighted in the House this morning, regarding which an amendment to the Order of Business has been proposed. That a young woman died in the care of the State is a shame and tragedy and should not have happened. Everything relating to what happens to people in care is a great concern for every Member of the Oireachtas, regardless of party. Although the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Barry Andrews, was before the House last week, I have no difficulty with inviting him back on foot of the issue highlighted by the Senators and placed on the Order Paper by the Leader of the Opposition, Senator Fitzgerald. I give the House my commitment that I will do everything I can to ensure this debate takes place at the earliest opportunity.

Senators Callely and Hannigan expressed their serious concerns about jobs. Our special debate on jobs will start at 2.30 p.m. With regard to Green Isle Foods and the unfortunate people who are on hunger strike, which was raised by Senator Hannigan, I sympathise with everybody concerned. I saw the television coverage last Sunday evening. I hope common sense can prevail and that everybody can get around the negotiating table so these people can get on with their lives.

Senators O'Toole, Norris, Donohoe and Coghlan spoke strongly in support of local broadcasting stations. I have received correspondence from Mr. Albert Fitzgerald, chief executive of Midlands Radio 3. It is not fair that the levy is being increased from €5 million to €7.6 million when trade is down approximately 30% across all sectors in Ireland, not just in local and national radio and television. This is an unfair request. I will contact the Minister's office to ascertain if it can be discussed in this House and to find out what the Government can do about it. Given the downturn in the economy, the alternative is that part of the licence fee be given to local radio to ensure it survives. Local radio is the foundation of local communities. It has been to the fore in highlighting volunteerism and everything that is good in local communities. All sides of the House fully support it.

Senator O'Toole and Senator Ross referred to No. 1 and called for a debate on semi-State bodies. This is a timely call and I will allocate time for that debate.

Senators Bacik, Butler, Hanafin, Dearey, John Paul Phelan and others called for a debate on banking and the challenges it faces. I note the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, said yesterday that Allied Irish Banks results were not a surprise given the crisis that has hit the banking sector over the last number of years. He said the results show the National Asset Management Agency, NAMA, is "forcing the banks to finally face up to the reality of their bad loans". The banks engaged in excessive lending to speculative property developers and NAMA is making the banks take the losses on these property loans up front. This is borne out by the large losses AIB reported yesterday. The Minister continued:

Were it not for NAMA, the banks might still be nursing their loans in an attempt to spread their losses over a prolonged period. This might benefit their shareholders, but it would choke the prospects of economic recovery.

I agree with my colleagues that increasing interest rates to protect shareholders and placing mortgage holders under undue extra pressure is unacceptable and that we should do everything we can about this. The Government will be watching it very closely. On the one hand, the banks must be allowed to survive but, on the other, they must play fair with people during this massive downturn in the economy. Full nationalisation of two other institutions might not be right for the country. There are various examples of other institutions which perhaps the Government would prefer not to have. While the bank shares are trading on the Stock Exchange there is an opportunity for people to assist and participate. I have no difficulty with organising a debate on this very serious issue for everybody in this country.

Senators Bacik and Mullen asked for further debates on education. I have no difficulty with that proposal. Senator Ó Brolcháin quite correctly pointed out that the Labour Party supports rotation of Ministers.

Senators Wilson, Leyden, Glynn, Ellis and Mullen congratulated the Minister of State, Deputy John Curran, on banning many of the items being sold in head shops. It will take three months for the ban to be put in place. It was also pointed out by Senators that the planning regulations should be examined as a matter of urgency. Members of local authorities can introduce by-laws relating to opening hours and the other issues which have been highlighted in the House in recent days. Opening a shop or keeping it open at 2 a.m., 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. when the discotheques are over or the restaurants and chip shops are closing, or standing outside such premises and offering these drugs is unacceptable. Local authority members have a duty to ensure this does not happen in their areas. They hold their annual conference this week and I exhort them to do everything they can to assist in dealing with this terrible plague and challenge for our young people.

Senator Wilson also spoke about the new digital antennae that have been placed on Garda stations in County Cavan which are interfering with television signals. I have already conveyed his strong views on this to the Minister. It will be dealt with as a matter of urgency.

Senator Norris highlighted the allegations mentioned in the newspapers today. I will pass on his views to the Minister on the resignation of the former Minister of State, Deputy Trevor Sargent, who was very supportive when in office. He was very efficient and is a great loss to the Government. He will be back in government at another time to assist and display his talents, as he did in the past two and a half years. I wish him well. Senator Norris also expressed his strong views on the position in the Middle East, with which we all fully agree.

Senator Leyden asked for a monthly review of the performance of State boards. Senator Ross also called for a special debate on the matter. Such a debate would be timely. The Seanad can play a leading role in this regard. We will endeavour to ensure such a debate takes place.

Senators Callely and Phelan raised the issue of pensions. As we all know, a special press conference will be held this afternoon when the new pensions policy of the Government will be rolled out. We can debate the issue in the House in the very near future.

Senator Glynn called on the Minister of State, Deputy John Curran, to examine the serious issue of the ordering of drugs on-line. It is one about which the Minister of State has to do something. I will pass on the views of the Senator to him after the Order of Business.

Senator Healy Eames called for another debate on children with special needs. A debate on the issue took place last week. She expressed her strong views on the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, whom I have known for a long time and who has been a distinguished Member of both Houses. He is a very good listener and doing everything he possibly can. On having a further debate, he has always been very forthcoming and supportive in coming to the House. I will have no difficulty in assisting colleagues seeking to help those with special needs.

Senator Ellis congratulated everyone involved on the proposals made by the Government and the IDA which were announced yesterday, as well as the report. It is something we should discuss. Senators will take it on board in their contributions to the debate on job creation this afternoon.

Senator Carroll outlined and welcomed the announcement made by the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, to deal with the cross-Border issue mentioned. The announcement is welcome and I thank the Senator for bringing it to the attention of the House. He also welcomed the 40% increase in the number of car sales, the success of the scrappage scheme and the boost given to consumer confidence, which is very uplifting. The first indicator of an upturn in the American economy will be in the motor industry, as has been the case, as the bankers will tell us, in the past 100 years. It is the one sector of manufacturing everyone watches. It is also the first to give an indication of a downturn.

Senator Ross also called for a debate on the performance of semi-State bodies. I have given a commitment in that regard.

On the two Bills to which Senator Hannigan referred, I will revert to the House tomorrow on the matter on which I received correspondence recently.