Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, Boyle, Healy Eames, Callely, Walsh, Coghlan, Prendergast, Buttimer, Mooney, Quinn, Ó Brolcháin, Regan, Hanafin, Ó Domhnaill, O'Reilly and Glynn outlined their serious concerns to the House regarding the various matters highlighted this morning. I remind colleagues that the Croke Park agreement will be before the House for our consideration all day tomorrow. I wish to inform the House of an all-day debate next Wednesday at which the Minister for Health and Children will be present and during which all matters relating to health policy and the operation of the HSE will be discussed. Colleagues will be pleased to hear this.

To my knowledge, whenever there have been calls for debates on published reports, I have always allowed for them. Arranging for debates in which colleagues could make their views known was a pleasure and a privilege. I would not like any Senator to believe that any serious report was not given enough time to be discussed. As to today's calls on me regarding certain reports, I will endeavour to have them considered in the House in the coming weeks.

Concerning the newspaper article in respect of the €3 billion in reductions next year, only four months of trading have passed in the current budget and a trend will emerge in the next four months. The projections are for a little growth this year and 3%, double the EU figure, next year. These are difficult times, as evidenced by what the airline industry is experiencing. I congratulate RTE and Ryan Tubridy on their efforts this morning to promote Irish tourist attractions. I hope Irish people will stay at home and, in the national interest, support an industry that employs hundreds of thousands of people in the services sector.

The Bill relating to the changes in funding to Greece will be before the House on Thursday of next week, so colleagues will be able to make their views known to the Minister for Finance then.

Senators Alex White, Boyle, Healy Eames, Ormonde, Ó Brolcháin, Mullen and Corrigan referred to the report of the Ombudsman for Children, Ms Emily Logan. Senator Ormonde discussed a lack of child protection. I will put the various concerns raised this morning in the diary for consideration during the coming weeks.

If a Senator feels strongly about any issue, Private Members' time is available. Those of us who are members of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges know that we can propose changes at any time. I look forward to the Minister deliberating on and making his opinions known regarding party and group proposals on Seanad reform. As I informed the House last week, the draftsperson is busy working on a local government Bill. I ask colleagues and party leaders in particular to be patient. Work will progress. As Leader and under the Cathaoirleach's stewardship as Chairman of the committee, I will give my support to whatever is required to enhance the proceedings of Seanad Éireann. We must let the people know the positive work undertaken by the House daily.

Senators Ó Brolcháin, Boyle, Norris, Hanafin, O'Reilly, Ó Murchú and Harris referred to what happened outside the gates of Leinster House last night. Another Member and I saw everything that took place. I hope these are once-off events. I was surprised by the reaction of one or two commentators in the media. I congratulate the ushers and the members of the Garda Síochána who were on duty for the absolutely professional and first-class way in which they dealt with the situation. Four separate attempts were made to gain access to the plinth but each was rebuffed. The Garda Commissioner, the Superintendent and the Captain of the Guard in Leinster House can be proud of their staff in this regard. Footage of the incident is available to anyone who wishes to see it. Some 30 or 40 individuals who were coming up Molesworth Street with the main body in what seemed to be an organised demonstration - similar to those which one can see outside every day - turned left, came around through Setanta Place and proceeded up Kildare Street to the gates of Leinster House.

Senator Callely referred to front-line services, the delivery of general health services, budgets, etc. As stated, there will be an all-day debate on Wednesday next on matters relating to health and the HSE. I agree with the Senator in respect of the great work the Irish Heart Foundation has been doing for tens of years. I admire the wonderful people who have worked alongside the foundation in such a dedicated fashion. I also agree with the sentiments the Senator expressed in respect of stroke awareness. All of these matters can be discussed on Wednesday next.

I join Senator Norris in welcoming the €500 million, a huge amount of money, in EU funding that has been allocated for the metro north project. This is terrific news for people on the northside of Dublin and those who use the airport. Those who live on the city's north side have richly deserved a project of this nature for many years.

Senator Coghlan referred to the operations of NAMA. Members are aware that every person whose property portfolio has gone into NAMA will be given the opportunity to present the agency with a business plan within four to six weeks.

Senators Mooney and Leyden suggested we should send best wishes to Mr. Gordon Brown, MP, and his predecessor, Mr. Tony Blair, for all the work they did during the British Labour Party's 13 years in office. The island of Ireland has been transformed by the peace process that has been in train for those 13 years and in which Mr. Brown and Mr. Blair played a major part, for which we thank them.

I also send congratulations to Mr. David Cameron, MP, the new British Prime Minister, and his deputy, Mr. Nick Clegg, MP. I wish them well in the challenges they will face in the years ahead. They are taking over at a difficult time and will be obliged to take some hard decisions similar to those that have been taken here.

Senator Quinn stated that in any future debates on the economy we should look forward. He also referred to the tribunals. In that context, No. 32 on the Order Paper, Private Members' motion No. 4, in the name of Senator Walsh and others states:

That Seanad Éireann, in light of the exorbitant fees being charged by Senior and Junior Counsel, calls on the Government to introduce a Maximum Fees Order, of not more than €969 per diem for Senior Counsel, and, €646 per diem for Junior Counsel ...

I am endeavouring to reach agreement with the leaders of the various groups on an all-party motion to the effect that the Seanad should lead the way in respect of how tribunals should operate in the future. I will arrange a meeting, either tomorrow morning or later this afternoon, with the various leaders in order to discover whether it might be possible to agree an all-party motion on the serious challenge the State faces in respect of the cost of tribunals. Different tribunals have be in operation at various stages during the past 13 years. When they were established, we were informed that their work should be proceeded with was a matter of urgency. What is meant by the word "urgency" is stretched to the limits when one considers that one of the tribunals has been sitting for the entire period to which I refer. The leaders of the groups must come together, as they did in respect of head shops, in order to formulate a suitable motion. This will show that the Seanad can make a major difference. I will discuss the matter with the leaders and return to the House with news on it in the coming days. I understand the proposal made by Senator Walsh has the support of the vast majority of colleagues in the House.

Senator Mullen requested that time be made available for several debates. In addition, he offered his congratulations to the Irish Hospice Foundation, particularly in the context of the report on end-of-life care. I am a major supporter of the foundation's work. My wife, family and I have championed its cause in the north Westmeath area for many years. We did everything we could with a heart and a half. I will provide colleagues with ample time to make their views on the report known to the Minister.