Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

I listened with interest to the comments on the banking issue. The banking and financial issue is far bigger and broader than the remuneration package of the chief executive officer of Bank of Ireland. I support the view that there should be a debate on banking and finance, and that the debate should be meaningful and take place when the Minister for Finance is able to attend. There are grave and serious problems and the public would prefer us to focus on the broader and bigger issues rather than on a singular matter.

I wholeheartedly support Senator Quinn's views regarding good news. There is much good news in so far as we are on the path to economic renewal and can have confidence in the future. Consider how Ireland is placed in Europe. Ireland is a nation with a young, well educated and flexible workforce. We are English speaking, part of monetary union, well placed geographically and have a low tax rate. The level of foreign direct investment that has been encouraged into Ireland, particularly from multinationals, and the level of job creation, in addition to matters such as the sale of State bonds, have all been hugely successful. There is a great story and we should be selling that good news. I support Senator Quinn in that regard.

I have two questions for the Leader. Will he confirm there will be supports for people who are caught up in the current air traffic difficulties? I refer to supports for people who may have to pay a rent or a premium to a local authority and would be penalised if this is not paid or people who have to sign on to avail of a benefit or those who may have to submit an application form. Will the Leader confirm that all those people will be accommodated and will not lose out?

I support Senator MacSharry's view about the HSE and the health boards. I have raised this issue many times in the House. It is about time we looked at the structure of the HSE and re-introduced local political representation.