Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I also wish to respond to the opening of the memorial garden for the 83 members of An Garda Síochána who were killed in the service of the State. Senator Carty brought this to my attention yesterday. The garden was opened at Dublin Castle at the weekend and attended by the Taoiseach, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda Commissioner. The names of the 83 gardaí who were killed were inscribed in stone on a roll of honour and medals were presented to the representatives of the families of each garda on the roll of honour. I am aware that Senator Carty had a family member who was killed in the line of duty. It is important this House takes this moment to recognise the pain visited upon the loved ones of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in our name. Senator Carty asked that the Committee on Procedure and Privileges would consider the taking of a minute's silence in their honour and this will be discussed at the next meeting.

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Bacik, Boyle, Norris, Cummins and Quinn expressed their strong concerns regarding the comments of the Director of Public Prosecutions. As I said on the Order of Business yesterday, the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008 is due in the House at the end of June. This Bill will cover protection of persons reporting suspected corruption offences in good faith. I have no difficulty in allowing a debate at any time, if at all possible, on the matters which have been brought to my attention.

Senator Fitzgerald is very anxious about the dates for the three by-elections. As we all know, this is a decision for the Dáil. I remind the House that a by-election was held in Dublin South but the seat could not be held on to.

The Deputy Leader was correct in saying the Bill to provide for the election of Lord Mayor of Dublin will be before both Houses before the summer recess.

Senator O'Toole asked about legislation. I informed the House yesterday that 16 Bills are coming before the House, three of which have been published. A Private Members' Bill will be dealt with this evening. Tomorrow the House will deal with All Stages of a Bill and a motion for earlier signature. I have always given priority to any legislation that can be processed in this House and this has not changed.

Senators O'Toole and Healy Eames spoke about Ireland on the periphery of Europe exploiting the possibility of wind energy and every other type of energy. We have come from 2% to 12% in this area. We are making steady progress and I agree with all colleagues that there are opportunities.

Senators Bacik, Healy Eames, Ó Murchú, Buttimer, O'Reilly, Glynn, Walsh and Quinn expressed their strong views on the role of the Catholic Church in education and called for an all-party debate on the matter. The contribution the church has made in education has been enormous, not alone in Ireland but throughout the world. Our missionaries were the great unsung success of the Irish people across the world. Those of us who have been on trade missions realise only too well the terrific work done by our missionaries in bringing not alone the faith to different parts of the world but educating the poorest of the poor. I congratulate the churches, particularly the Catholic Church, in what they have done. However, as has been said here, there have been difficulties. Senator Ó Murchú typified what most Members would have liked to have said on the church's role and contribution. I have no difficulty in having a debate on the matter at the earliest possible time.

Senator Bacik and others inquired about climate protection legislation. I will look into it and come back to the House on the matter.

Senators Boyle, Hannigan and Cummins raised the issue of free-to-air broadcasting of sporting events. I welcome the Minister's recent announcement in this regard on behalf of the 1 million people who cannot afford to pay for sports pay channels on television. Under the Constitution, we must treat all of our people equally.

I congratulate all Ministers who have brought the All-Ireland hurling semi-finals and finals, the Grand National, soccer and rugby sporting events to television. We must encourage poor children and underprivileged families as they are the ones who need the most help.

I have no problem with the House having a debate on the matter with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. He has said he will allow a two-month consultation period. Why can the Seanad not have its consultation with the Minister present and make its views known to him? We must also congratulate everyone in the sport of rugby for what they have done for their sport. They are doing enormous good work across the country. We certainly support all sporting organisations. As we all know, the greatest gift one can give one's body is to have it fit.

Senators Healy Eames, Cummins and Bacik raised the issue of Ireland's economic competitiveness. As the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills said, in the past 12 months we have increased competitiveness by 6%. That is a terrific achievement in very difficult times.

Senator Callely raised the matter of young children going missing and the missing persons helpline. I will pass on his strong views to the Minister after the Order of Business. His proposal for the House commission to e-mail Members and staff on the ICE mobile telephone number is a very good suggestion which I will pass on to it.

Senator Healy Eames inquired as to the response time of fire services, a very important point. I will make inquiries of the Minister's office.

Senator O'Sullivan called for a debate on An Post, particularly his concerns regarding postal services. I have no difficulty with this matter being debated. I congratulate the postal services on their work. For the many of us who worked in the service down through the years, we were the family friend of everyone's door we called to. Some times in rural places the postperson would be the only person one of our senior citizens might see in not alone one or two days but even three days. I certainly have no difficulty in having time left aside for this.

Senators Ross, Donohoe, O'Reilly, Dearey, Mooney, Buttimer and Ó Brolcháin called for a debate with the Minister for Transport on CIE, particularly its executive not appearing before Oireachtas committees. While there may possibly have been a good reason for this happening, this is a serious challenge to the Oireachtas committee system. As Senator Mooney said, we should urgently visit the position on compellability of appearing before committees. I will endeavour to find out and assist transport committee members and its chairman in having the CIE executive appear before them at an early time.

Senator Keaveney wished the people of Derry every success in their application to become European city of culture. We certainly support her in that regard.

Senators Keaveney, Glynn and Ó Brolcháin raised the matter of break-ins at various political offices. Senators and Deputies having their constituency offices vandalised at weekends is an exception rather than the norm. Senators Glynn and Ó Brolcháin pointed to their particular incidents. We hope it will not start to happen more frequently. In fairness, however, to the general public, it seldom happens.

Senator Keaveney spoke again about the difficulties she is experiencing with exchange rates, particularly in the transport area. We will pass these on to the Minister for Transport.

Senators Norris and Hannigan called on me to contact the Irish ambassador to Malawi, Liam MacGabhann, regarding the human rights of two persons detained there. I will certainly do this with the office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs after the Order of Business.

Senator Dearey wished the crew of MV Rachel Corrie well in bringing its cargo to Gaza City. We commend everyone in this endeavour and their achievements in helping the poor people of Gaza City who we have seen on our television screens. We wish them well and hope they have a safe voyage. He also raised the issue of non-consultant doctors. I will pass on his views to the Minister for Health and Children after the Order of Business.

Senator Glynn called for a debate with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on reform of the electoral register. I will include this in the next Fianna Fáil Private Members' time. Senator Glynn has been seeking a debate on this for some time and I will afford him it on Private Members' business.

Senator Walsh raised the serious challenge facing the world from the drug trade and what changes in policy might be brought about. It would be a timely debate.

Senator Quinn welcomed the appointment of Dr. Patrick Cunningham, who I wish well, to the innovation taskforce. He cited the 3% of GDP devoted by the US Government to intellectual capital. It is an area we, as a Government, are taking very seriously as shown with the smart economy proposals. I agree with Senator Quinn on this matter.

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, had a very good radio interview this morning on RTE. It was very uplifting for everyone in the small and medium-sized enterprise sector. I hope his deliberations with the banks both yesterday and today will bear fruit for this sector because it certainly needs it.

I believe when an application is made for financial facilities from a bank, particularly by SMEs, it should be made in writing. Accordingly, we would have the documentary evidence to assist them if they were not successful.

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation has agreed to come to the House for an all-day debate on his portfolio. I am endeavouring to have this date arranged with his diary.

Senators Hanafin and Ó Brolcháin called for a debate on the Civil Partnership Bill. I will pass on the views of the Senators to the Minister.

Senator Hanafin called for the consideration of a special arrangement for the pubs in rural Ireland given the difficulties in transportation. What he outlined to the House is quite correct and we are all aware it is taking place. Businesses family run for generations are struggling to survive and keep the doors open. Everything we can do should be done because they are also a major contributor to the Exchequer and certainly we will include this matter the next time we have a debate on the liquor licensing laws. Any other areas where we can help the pub trade should be considered because they could not have foreseen in their wildest dreams the changes they are experiencing at present.