Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Unlike members of the Opposition, I was never inside it.

Senators Leyden, Walsh and Ross raised the issue of public interest directors. The Government - in particular, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan - faces a serious and unprecedented challenge. The Minister is doing everything he possibly can do to address it. I listened to him for the entire hour he spoke on "The Marian Finucane Show" last weekend, during which he said his officials had told him that in the two years he had been Minister for Finance the amount of paperwork was the same as that involved in bringing forward ten budgets in a ten year period. He is doing an excellent job and we are very fortunate to have him available in the portfolio. I fully support all the appointments made by him in the interests of having the necessary expertise and experience available. As I said previously in the House, experience and expertise are what the country needs; personalities should not come into it.

Senator Mooney called for a debate on the issues facing the new Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, in terms of increases in mortgage subsidies. I will have no difficulty in arranging such a timely debate.

I take Senator Regan's point on the lost at sea scheme which was discussed in the House. Therefore, we have dispensed with it, as far as the House is concerned.

Senators Walsh, Mullen, Hanafin and Callely called for a debate on matters discussed before the Supreme Court yesterday and everything to do with the expenditure and running of tribunals. I informed the House yesterday that I was examining the issue and that I would come back to it next week. I am trying to see what we can do to meet the genuine requests of the Senators who made the call for a debate in the interests of the country.

Senators Mullen and Quinn raised the issue of Private Members' Bills. I welcome their introduction in the House for our consideration. Senator Leyden had a Bill accepted by the Government. On the Bill brought forward yesterday evening by Senator Bacik, the request made was for time to be allowed for consultation. In principle, the Minister is in favour of the Bill, which is to be welcomed. The Human Body Organs and Human Tissue Bill proposed by Senator Quinn is currently the subject of consultation. I will see where we stand in regard to the timeframe and come back to the Senator on it.

Senator Hanafin called for a debate on the role of the Seanad, particularly on the SDLP's proposals. As we are all aware, the proposal made by Fianna Fáil which is being considered, with proposals from all parties and groups, is that ten Members of Seanad Éireann would have right of audience in the Assembly in the North and that some of its members would have the same right here. All of the proposals made are within the remit of the Minister and being considered. In due course we will hear the views of the Government on the matter.

Senator Quinn highlighted the success of the committee system which I believe marks the way forward in the teasing out of issues by Members using the experience gained in their professions before they entered the Houses. We need only look at the success of the Committee of Public Accounts under the stewardship of the late Deputy Jim Mitchell or the committee I chaired on the insurance industry to see the huge value of the system at a very small cost. That is the way we should be going, not down the road of having tribunals which, as Senator Walsh correctly said, are costing the State tens of millions of euro compared to the cost of the work done by a committee which in a year could amount to less than €500,000 or perhaps even €250,000. That is the comparative figure, with the same result.

Senator Ó Murchú made a very good proposal to have an urgent debate on the tourism industry which, as we are all aware, is a huge income earner for the country and a major employer. Currently, over 250,000 people are employed in the industry. The Senator referred to the success of the An Tóstal festival. I recall a former Member of the House who championed its cause, Joe Mooney, whose family continues to run An Tóstal in Drumshanbo.