Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senator Regan made a statement in the House, which I do not believe to be correct. As I understand it, it was suggested that the report not be debated in committee and that it was subsequently debated in the Dáil. The up-to-date position in so far as I am aware is that it was proposed that report would be debated in committee but that the Fine Gael Party wanted it debated in the Dáil, which debate took place. I have no difficulty allowing time for such a debate if that is not the case. As I understand it, the report was discussed by the Dáil.

Senators Coffey and John Paul Phelan called for a debate on south-east matters, which subject has been selected for discussion on the Adjournment today. We will await a decision in regard to such debate until we have heard the response from the Minister.

Senator Hanafin called for a debate on benchmarking. I have no difficulty allowing time for such a debate. Senator Callely called for a debate on the public service reform and banking officials. All these issues can be discussed tomorrow when the Minister for Finance comes to the House to take the Second Stage debate of the Finance Bill 2010 in regard to which I have allocated 20 minutes to spokespersons and 15 minutes to all other Senators.

Senator Hannigan called for a debate on the €10 tourism tax which he believes to be a serious deterrent to people flying in and out of this country. The House previously held a lengthy and good debate on tourism. We will await the appointment of the new Minister to this portfolio, following which I will arrange for a further debate on tourism. I have no difficulty providing time for a debate on tourism which is one of the three planks upon which we will have to rely if we are to get our economy up and running again. Tens of thousands of people are employed in the tourism sector, in which I must declare my interest. I agree with many of the proposals put forward during the debate on tourism in this House. We will wait to see what the newly appointed Minister to this portfolio will do in terms of dealing with this issue.

Senator John Paul Phelan called for a debate on the programme for Government. I have no difficulty in allowing time for such a debate following the Easter recess.