Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Twomey, O'Toole, Alex White, Norris and Walsh all expressed their views in respect of banking, the difficulties being experienced at present, on the ratings agencies, the deliberations regarding Greece and all the events related to the Greek economy. We must also acknowledge that the amount of funding sought by Bank of Ireland the other day was three times oversubscribed. Not alone was this a vote of confidence in Bank of Ireland but it constituted a vote of confidence in Ireland plc, which certainly should be noted. Senator Twomey was supported by Senator Boyle in calling for a debate on the euro and I have no difficulty in having such a debate take place.

While welcoming the reopening of the Natural History Museum, Senator Boyle called for a debate on museums in general while Senator Bacik called for a debate on the National Archives. My family and I have enormous experience in the running of a museum on a day-to-day basis and consequently can shed light on our experience, which was not very pleasant. I refer to the ability of the State agencies to operate without VAT or anything, while being completely funded by the State, whereas the private sector receives no funding, help or grant aid and is obliged to pay VAT. Consequently, I certainly would welcome a debate on this subject. Every museum in the world must have a must-see element to it. Otherwise, people will visit once and never return. I believe that Ireland, with a small population of 4.5 million people, should encourage indoor, all-weather tourist attractions that operate on a 365-day basis and are family friendly. My experience in this area has been a great deal of encouragement from all Government agencies, all political parties and Ministers of the time with very little action. I would be delighted to arrange for a debate on this matter to provide an opportunity for a sizeable number of organisations to exhibit the rich heritage we have in which a great number of tourists would be very interested.

Senator Twomey called for a debate on a report on child abuse. I have noted that a debate on the report is to be continued. I will come back to the House on this matter in the morning, as this is due to take place in the next week or so. It is an alarming statistic that 80% of the child abuse is family related. I have no difficulty in arranging for this report to be brought before the House for a further debate on this issue. Senator O'Toole acknowledged that today is Workers' Memorial Day and I join in supporting his remarks.

Senators O'Toole, Ellis, Quinn, Ó Brolcháin, Coffey, MacSharry, Buttimer, Ormonde and Hanafin called for a debate on people involved in politics, on the fact that those who serve in the Dáil and Seanad are now one of the few groups not included in the public service retirement provision and on the fact that all incremental benefits Members had were fought for hard down through the years. I have no difficulty in arranging for an all-day debate on this matter. Such a debate would be timely. I want time to consider this matter because my initial reaction is that while it is of an urgent nature and I fully agree with Senator O'Toole's request and with the other colleagues who have called for it, such a debate should be held in public. I want to check the possibility of having such a debate televised live. Such a debate would present an opportunity for us to have a right of reply and to have the debate unedited. We want the people to see the good work that is taking place on their behalf in Seanad Éireann by Members of the Oireachtas, most of whom work long hours, some 80 to 100, every week. The truth of the news is not being imparted to the people and that poses a serious challenge to our democracy, as Senator Ó Murchú has correctly stated. I want time to think about this matter and I will come back to the House on it in the next few days.

Senator Alex White called for a debate on a report on third level education, which he previously requested. I have no difficulty in requesting the new Minister for Education and Science to come to the House to update us on the challenges facing education. As we all know 4% of the population pay 50% of taxes and 37% of those who work do not pay any tax. There is a serious challenge in this respect and I fully agree with the challenges facing education. I have no difficulty in arranging for a debate on this matter.

Senator Buttimer, Boyle, Donohoe, Quinn, MacSharry, Norris, Walsh, Callely, Ormonde, Ó Murchú, McCarthy and Hanafin expressed their serious concerns and views regarding the GRA annual conference, the statement which its president was to have read and the situation in which the organisation now finds itself. As was said, the Garda Síochána is made up of men and women who have served with distinction. We in both Houses of the Oireachtas have introduced in legislation since the foundation of the State to protect and assist in every way possible this great organisation. I hope that wisdom will prevail today and I wish the organisation well in its conference. I would like to review the situation tomorrow when we will see what will have taken place today. I have no difficulty in arranging for a debate on this matter at the appropriate time.

Senator Callely called for a debate on the HSE and welcomed the announcement yesterday of the putting place of a liaison officer for the 32 survivors of thalidomide. I gave the Senator a commitment on yesterday's Order of Business that I will arrange for a debate on the HSE.

Senator Ellis outlined his experience of the existence of a 30% price differential between the price paid to primary producers for their products and the price at which those products are sold in retail stores. As I said on yesterday's Order of Business, we should have an all-day debate on agriculture and food in general. This aspect could be included in such a debate.

Senator McFadden outlined a constituency matter concerning a serious challenge facing a nursery owner in our constituency. This matter could be discussed during Private Members' time. However, I will find out the details of the matter from the Senator following the Order of Business and see what we both can do to make representations to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on behalf of our constituent.

Senators Coffey, Buttimer and Callely called for a debate on youth unemployment and the role of FÁS. I intend to arrange for a debate on this matter at which the Ministers for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Education and Science, who are responsible, would be in attendance. This is an urgent matter. This issue is a serious challenge for us all and our young people must be given the wherewithal in terms of upskilling and training to see what can be done to provide for them. FÁS has a huge budget and we want to have an input into a debate, with the two new Ministers in attendance, to bring us up to date on the position and to enable us to give them the benefit of our experience in terms of how that budget should be spent to ensure people will be trained to take up employment when there is a growth in a few years' time.

Senator MacSharry called for a debate again on matters pertaining to credit unions and he outlined his experiences and what was said at the annual conference of the Irish League of Credit Unions. I have no difficulty in arranging for such a debate.

Senator Jim Walsh called for a debate on the system of judicial review and the matter of the protection of society. As I said on yesterday's Order of Business, we should have a lengthy debate on this issue.

Senator Ó Murchú called for a debate on the media, to which I acceded yesterday, on developments in the media and what should be the role of the media in a democracy. I intend to have a debate on this matter at the earliest time possible.