Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Twomey, O'Toole, Hannigan, Coghlan, Hanafin, Leyden and Buttimer called for a debate on banking. As I said on the Order of Business during the week, the Finance Bill will be debated on 24, 25 and 26 March. We will have an all day and all night Second Stage debate and as I have already indicated, I will allow additional time to ensure everything pertaining to the finance portfolio can be debated on Wednesday, 24 March. I invite colleagues to take up their various concerns with the Minister for Finance who will be present in the House that day.

Senators Twomey, O'Toole, Hannigan, Boyle, Mooney, Hanafin, Bradford, Ormonde, Quinn and Callely called for a debate on the pensions report. That is timely and I have no difficulty in the House having a lengthy debate on that issue. It is a serious challenge facing the nation and everyone can learn from the sorry experiences they have had in terms of what has happened to pension funds, especially since 2007.

Senators O'Toole, Boyle, O'Sullivan, Coghlan, Ó Murchú, Bradford, Ormonde, Healy Eames and Regan called on the Government to continue its great work on funding of the arts. It was this Government that appointed a Minister to be in charge of the arts. A great deal has been done, particularly in all the one-stop-shops throughout the country, whether in Castlepollard or Kilbeggan, where the libraries have increased to three times their size. We have a beautiful library in Castlepollard comprising 1,500 sq. ft. which has almost 1,700 members. There is a great deal of good work being done.

Regarding the experience in Farmleigh, the feedback we got from all the successful, Irish-born people from throughout the world was about the portfolio of arts. That is the area in which we have achieved the most, whether it be in regard to our entertainers, our musicals, our artists or anyone participating in the film world. What other country's music is a brand name? We are the envy of most countries in the world in terms of our success in the arts. I agree we should have an afternoon debate on arts and arts funding and we can also take up the issue with the Minister for Finance when he is in the House on 24 March.

Senator Hannigan referred to the sad passing of Michael Foot. I join the Senator in his comments on the contribution the late Mr. Foot made to public life in the United Kingdom.

Reference was made to today being national book day-----