Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

He certainly does.

I look forward to the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, coming to the House today. I wish the House well in its deliberations. We have left all day and all evening available for Second Stage of the Finance Bill.

Senators Prendergast, Healy Eames and Coffey called on the Minister for Health and Children to come to the House to give an update on the situation in regard to her portfolio. Not only that, but I will bring to the Minister's attention what Senators said today regarding the alleged shortage of funding for the Galway cancer centre of excellence and the situation for patients dealing with cancer at that centre. The situation is unacceptable and Senators on all sides of the House must tease out the matter to find how we can address it and ensure this does not continue to be the case.

Senators Boyle and Mary White called for a debate on the programme for Government and unemployment, with the main focus being on employment and the effort to create jobs. I have no difficulty allowing time for this following the Easter recess.

Senator O'Malley was a strong voice on the passports issue. I welcome the progress that took place when the unions met yesterday evening, following which they made the announcement that anyone who urgently needs a passport, which will be determined on a day-to-day basis, will be looked after. As I said in the House yesterday, if the talks could be given a chance and a timeframe put on them, everyone in Ireland would support both sides in trying to get an agreement on this issue.

Senator O'Malley also commented on the debate on women in politics. I remind Senators that this is the first House to acknowledge this issue and it will be the first House in which such a debate takes place. While the Finance Bill took precedence this week, during international women's week the Minister had expressed a desire to come to the House for this important debate. It will take place on Thursday afternoon next week and I look forward to the participation of all colleagues in the House. Senator Norris welcomed the Google position on China and expressed his strong views on human rights with which we all agree. Senator Feargal Quinn referred to dangerous comments and scaremongering in general just to catch a headline in the media. I fully agree with those sentiments. I will seek to have them included in a future debate. Senator Leyden wholeheartedly welcomed the hard work of the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, in getting funding of €20 million for the new civic offices in Roscommon. This is great news for the people of our neighbouring County Roscommon. This will provide 100 construction jobs and is to be welcomed. It is lovely to see this progress in Roscommon.

Senator Walsh asked for a debate on the global economy.Senators Mullen, Walsh, Ormonde, Quinn and Feeney, called for a debate on the media and political standards and how our political system is working. This would be a very worthwhile debate. We should also include a debate on the Press Council and standards in the press.

Senators Walsh, Mary White and Feeney asked for a debate on public service reform. They also congratulated our new Minister of State with responsibility for this area, Deputy Dara Calleary. I congratulate him and wish him well. As Senator Feeney said, the Taoiseach has taken this major decision whereby the new Minister of State will be assisting the Taoiseach and taking responsibility for public sector reform within the Department of the Taoiseach. I congratulate the Taoiseach on this proposal.

Senators McCarthy, Feeney and Ó Murchú asked for a debate on Seanad reform. In reply to Senator Donohoe who stated that no reform has taken place, I ask him to note that it is now the practice to have a question and answer session at the end of deliberations when a Minister is in the House. I plan to extend this and I am receiving good co-operation from Ministers and Ministers of State.

I remind the House that no Bill has been guillotined under my leadership. I was Leader of the House from 1997 to 2002 and from 2007 to date-----