Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Ó Murchú, Norris and Hanafin spoke about the blockade of Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there. I congratulate Senator Ó Murchú on bringing this to the attention of the House. We fully support his call. The United Nations has a major responsibility in this area. As the Senator outlined to the House, Article 55 of the Geneva Convention is being seriously contravened and this is a major humanitarian crisis. We have been admired all over the world for our independence over the years and for our support for the underprivileged, whether that was by way of bringing education or religion to them or by way of support for various humanitarian causes and in times of disaster. I support Senator Ó Murchú's call for attention to be given to this issue. I also compliment the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, on his outstanding efforts on behalf of the people in this regard.

Senators Mullen, Callely, Norris, Quinn, Hanafin, Keaveney and McFadden raised various health issues. As I have outlined previously, the Minister will take these issues on board after the Easter recess. Senator Mullen outlined the issue of human trafficking here and pointed out the danger that as a result of the new regulations being introduced in the United Kingdom, we could be targeted. I will pass his strong views on to the Minister. I do not remember agreeing at any time to have a debate on the extension of the Dáil and Seanad, but I am aware that he has brought this to our attention today, 1 April.

Senator Callely highlighted the importance of the announcement made by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, the day before yesterday, in which he announced a commitment of €3 billion from the AIB and Bank of Ireland for SMEs. A €12 billion investment over the next two years will help keep SMEs working and will ensure the Exchequer will in turn get from €3 billion to €4 billion of that back in taxes. We will keep this under review on a monthly basis here.

Senators Mooney, Keaveney, Ó Domhnaill, McCarthy and Carty all congratulated Deputy Mary Hanafin on her new portfolio. On the day of the reshuffle, I said she had probably got the appointment most of us would like to have got if we were in that position, because it is in an area where jobs can be created. Tourism is one of the three pillars on which we must rebuild the economy. There has never been greater value in our tourism market than there is currently. We in the hidden Ireland, particularly in the midlands area such as Athlone and Mullingar, have found that many Irish people now come to the area for weekends. Athlone, with four hotels, does great business every weekend. Last weekend, a big country music festival was held in Mullingar and the numbers that came to it from Scotland, Wales and England were almost unbelievable. There is similar interest in visiting Tullamore. People want to visit the hidden Ireland and they find they are getting value for money.

A recession is an opportune time for people to provide value for money and establish themselves. During a period like the era of the Celtic tiger, people might not have got so much business, but now in areas where value for money is being given, Tourism Ireland and all involved in tourism are experiencing an opportunity they may not have had previously. That said, the challenges facing our new Minister in this area are daunting. Many hotels will find it extremely difficult to remain open after this summer. It is crucial the banks play their part in ensuring overdraft facilities hotels traditionally had to keep going over the winter months are maintained. The most serious challenge facing the tourism industry now is the challenge for the banks to continue providing credit facilities to hotels to keep their doors open for the four tough months of the year from November to February, as has been the tradition. I do not suggest that credit should be extended to businesses that will not be viable, but to hotels in good tourism areas which employ 60 or 70 people. However, this is something we can discuss when the Minister comes to the House.

Senator Quinn reminded us this is organ donor awareness week and asked about the human organ donor Bill. I will look into that and come back to the Senator on it and let him know when it is proposed to deal with it in the House. Senators Ó Domhnaill, Mary White and Carroll welcomed the credit review process which is being launched today. I join them in that. We will review the progress on this on a monthly basis in the House. I also support Senator Ó Domhnaill's call with regard to the benefit the Olympics in London in 2012 offer us. I have no difficulty in including this in the planned debate with the Minister with responsibility for tourism, arts and sport when she comes to the House. Some part of that debate will be devoted to the opportunities that will present themselves with the Olympics taking place in London in 2012.

Senator Carty called for a debate on agriculture, particularly with regard to a long-term plan for it and he called for the Minister, Deputy Brendan Smith, to come to the House for that. We will have an all-day debate on this subject when we return after the Easter recess. Senator James Carroll called for a debate with the Minister with responsibility for enterprise, trade and employment on the pricing of diesel and petrol, which have increased substantially in recent months. This has special concern for people living along the Border and hard-pressed small and medium-sized family businesses. This is another increase in the cost of the day to day running of their businesses. I have no difficulty with arranging for a debate on this at the earliest possible time.

Order of Business agreed to.