Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

All right, I shall refer to him as the former doctor, then.

Senators Coffey and Donohoe referred to the European Globalisation Fund and redundant workers, as regards the opportunity to have them reskilled and retrained and said every effort should be made in this regard. I understand the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation will be coming to the House to continue the debate on jobs, quite possibly next week, and we can progress that proposal when he is here. Also, Senator Corrigan called for the Minister to come to the House. I understand he will be in the House next week.

Senator Norris raised the matter of websites. No one can condone these and I hope they will be withdrawn immediately.

Senator Glynn called for the Minister for Health and Children to address the issue as regards the medical system not working at present. I fully support my colleague in this regard. This is a serious situation where he is not even getting answers to telephone calls. It is unacceptable and unsustainable. The Minister will be in the House on 3 June and we can put this point to her in that regard.

Senator Mark Daly spoke about the €24 million that has been spent on a mobile phone study into the effects on health and the enormous difficulties, potentially, as he outlined. I visited the University of Waterloo a few years ago, where massive research was being conducted. For those Senators who do not know it, this is the university where the BlackBerry technology was invented and created. It is one of the most successful in the world at present. In any event, massive research was being conducted there at the time on behalf of Vodafone into the effects of mobile phones, as outlined by the Senator. I have no difficulty in having a debate on that and it will be included in the list.

Senator Ross asked that the House consider a Bill for semi-State bodies and State agencies to be subject to the freedom of information legislation. I can only await the Bill coming before the House and this is a matter for Government, which must make a decision on that also.

Senator Callely raised the issue of carers and asked for a debate in this regard. I have already said this will take place when the Minister is present on the Wednesday after next. In the event, perhaps many of these issues may be brought to her attention, including that of older people, as Senator Callely has said. As regards pensions that is a matter for budgetary consideration in seven months' time. It is a matter for the Government while we respect and appreciate everything our senior citizens have ever done. We certainly fully support them in every way we can.

Senator Donohoe talked about the innovation task force and the implementation of the group's recommendations. As outlined to the House he would like to see one or two other sectors, or perhaps more. Anyone that can make a contribution should be included and this is one of the great planks through which the Government is attempting to fight the global downturn. I look forward to the report being published and I guarantee it will be discussed and debated in the House.

Senator Butler congratulated the Minister for Finance in relation to the bond issue and also welcomed the 200 new jobs at EirGrid. He called for the taskforce to be put in place now that there is an 18-month window of opportunity as regards the Pfizer job reductions. I remind the House that some 4,250 people will still be employed by Pfizer when the rationalisation takes place. Senator Butler also congratulated Senator Quinn, who introduced his Second Stage Bill last night in relation to the difficulties being experienced by subcontractors. These are horrific stories and I am pleased the Minister agreed to proceed within a five-month timeframe to introduce the necessary amendments to strengthen Senator Quinn's Bill. I know the Senator is working closely with the Minister in this regard and I too congratulate him on his foresight in bring this Bill before the House.

Senators Quinn and Ó Brolcháin spoke about job opportunities in the agricultural sector, such as the production of biomass for renewable energy. In view of our carbon reduction targets for 2020, this is a worthwhile subject for discussion and I have no difficulty in allowing such a debate to take place.

Senator McFadden spoke about the 25 residents who were moved in Athlone. I agree with her about what a traumatic experience this must have been, but I disagree with her comments about Mullingar hospital. I call on everyone to stop talking down Mullingar hospital. The Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar is the only hospital from Dublin to Sligo——