Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

The debate on women in politics will take place next Tuesday.

Senators Twomey, O'Toole, Hannigan, Dearey, Cummins, Buttimer, Leyden, Coghlan, Ross, Mooney and Hanafin expressed their strong views again about the banking sector. The debate on banking will follow the debate on women in politics next Tuesday.

Senator Twomey called for a debate on the decoupling of agribusiness plcs from co-ops. This would be worthwhile and I intend to allow a long time for it, perhaps even a full-day debate if possible. Decoupling would be a mammoth change in agriculture if it were to occur.

Senators O'Toole, Coffey and Ó Brolcháin raised the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 which will be due back and concluded in the House during this session.

Senators Hannigan and Wilson welcomed the announcement by the Financial Regulator to allow Quinn Insurance to do some business in the UK. I know Senator Wilson has been a champion of the people of our area regarding the serious challenge facing their jobs in the company. Easter came this year but not many families in the north midlands and the three counties in which the Quinn Group employs a member of nearly every family enjoyed it. We will do anything we can do to support Séan Quinn, his family and his group. While Senator Wilson pointed out that only 10% of the business may be allowed to be underwritten in the UK, it is a start. Please God I hope a further announcement will be imminent from the Financial Regulator.

Senator Hannigan proposed consultation with the staff of Dublin Bus on its proposals to cut employees and change routes. This is a common sense proposal and I hope it will occur with everyone involved. I understand in the past 12 months consideration has been given to ways of improving the availability of bus routes. We wish Dublin Bus well in its endeavours to give a better service.

Senator Hannigan also welcomed the opening of the skies again. Everyone in the aviation business has worked hard to ensure flights could resume. We wish the airlines well and those affected air travellers, many of whom were disappointed in the past few days. Hopefully, in the next few days flights will get back to normal and everyone will be able to get to their destinations.

Senator Dearey called for a debate on planning reform. I have no difficulty in allowing time for this to take place.

Senator Coffey called for a debate on the importance of small manufacturing and family-run businesses. As Members well know, 870,000 people are employed by small and medium-sized enterprises, of which 75% are owned and run by families. I will have a debate on this issue at the earliest opportunity.

Senators Mary White, Quinn and Walsh referred to the meeting between the Minister for Health and Children and the thalidomide victims. I saw them yesterday in the House before they went into the meeting. I congratulate Senator Mary White in all she has done to assist these poor unfortunate people. Their condition was through no fault of their own but an act of birth. I hope there will be recognition by the State which, as we all know, is long overdue and that they can be helped in every way possible, including financially.

Senator Keaveney called for a debate on the sex offenders register and the legislation in place affecting both sides of the Border. I will have no difficulty in having a debate in the House on the matter in the near future.

Senator Buttimer inquired about the marquee at the Galway Races. I was never in it and was totally opposed to it. I am delighted with the decision the Taoiseach took. I know that all of the political parties make use of the marquees at Punchestown or wherever they are located. Be that as it may, the impression was created that a good deal of business was conducted in Galway. I do not believe that but do not know for sure because I was never in it and can only hazard a guess.