Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

The western rail corridor will have 400,000 people using it and the Government can feel very proud of its achievements. Yesterday I welcomed the €500,000 for Dublin metro from the EU and I agree with Senator Hanafin on the need to extend the spur to Shannon and the Sligo to Derry line. It would be a fantastic achievement as that part of the country needs such a service. I am fully supportive of that happening.

Senator Hanafin also spoke on the regulation of financial markets and outlined to the House the casino-style gamble in the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. We can only imagine betting €15 billion in the current global downturn. How irresponsible are these people, who are not prepared to play their part in helping mankind but would rather make money on the backs of the unfortunate circumstances in which the people of Greece find themselves? I have no difficulty in having time left aside to debate the matter.

Senator Quinn welcomed the announcement from the Department of Education and Skills - I know the Minister and Government are behind it - for 1,000 extra teaching posts. That is very welcome because looking back over the past 50 years, the transformation in Ireland came from the education and knowledge of our young people and the current generations. I fully support the Senator's comments on the 60 jobs for Hewlett Packard and the advice of the company's chief executive that people should have a second or third language. I will bring this to the attention of the Minister after the Order of Business.

Senator McFadden spoke about the plight of those in difficulty, particularly in her own constituency covering Longford and Westmeath. We will do anything we can to help them in their plight. A debate on the Croke Park agreement will take place immediately after the Order of Business and the Minister will be present to discuss the difficulties people are experiencing. There will be an all-day debate on the financial issues relating to the EU and Greece next Thursday, and colleagues may highlight many of the relevant concerns with the Minister present in order to get a response. I will allow some time at the end of the debate for the Minister to respond to questions. There will also be discussion on the relevant Bill.