Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I wish to clarify that No. 1, Competition (Amendment) Bill 2010 - Second Stage will adjourn not later than 2 p.m. I think I said it would conclude not later than 2 p.m. I hope I have clarified the matter.

I agree with Senators Boyle, Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Bacik, Norris, Coghlan, Regan, Mooney, Ó Murchú, Leyden, Daly, O'Reilly and Dearey who expressed serious concerns about levels of trust and faith in public life and public representatives. They have referred to everything we stand for and the people we represent. It is a great privilege to be a Member of Parliament. I join the Taoiseach in asking Senator Callely to make a statement in the House this morning after the Order of Business. I thank the Cathaoirleach for making this possible. Those of us who are privileged to be Members of both Houses of the Oireachtas wish to enjoy the faith and trust of the people we are honoured to represent.

Serious concerns were expressed and updates were sought about what is happening in Israel and Gaza following the interception of the flotilla of ships earlier this week. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin, will come to the House at 7.15 p.m. and will be here until 8.55 p.m. This serious matter has been brought to the attention of the House. I will immediately pass on to the Minister our serious concerns about the matter brought to our attention by Senator Dearey. We want to support the Government in everything it is trying to do to help to end this serious debacle.

Calls were made for a debate on everything to do with education. I agreed on yesterday's Order of Business to arrange such a debate. I will have no difficulty with it taking place.

Senators Bacik, Norris and Hannigan asked for a debate on climate change. I will have no difficulty in arranging such a debate. The Deputy Leader of the House has mentioned that the heads of the climate change Bill are being prepared and that the Bill will be brought to the House in the next session. We all welcome the great progress being made. Senators Twomey, Mullen, Quinn and Mooney outlined to the House the need for an umbilical cord blood bank, an issue which we all must take seriously. Great progress can be made in this area. I have no difficulty with the Minister for Health and Children coming to the House to debate the matter. As she will attend the House in the coming weeks, Senators can bring this matter to her attention then. There will be unanimity in the House on the matter.

Senator O'Sullivan outlined his serious concerns regarding difficulties experienced by the taxi industry. I will allow time for this to be debated.

Senator Norris raised the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill. A new Bill has been submitted and we look forward to it coming to the House for its consideration.

Senators Walsh, Coghlan, Hanafin, Buttimer and Ó Murchú raised the matter of the tribunals of inquiry. Senator Walsh has spent an enormous amount of time dealing with tribunal issues. The excessive high costs were never envisaged, nor was the 13-year timeframe. After 13 years, a sense of urgency does not come into the matter. I will have no difficulty in meeting the leaders to discuss the matter and find common ground on it.

Senators Coghlan and Daly raised issues concerning NAMA and banking. I gave a commitment yesterday on the Order of Business that we would debate banking issues, NAMA and the challenges facing the Minister for Finance once a month. We will have a lengthy all-day debate before the summer recess on these matters.

Senator Hanafin raised the matter of offshore oil drilling and the terrible situation in which the people of America find themselves with the major oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. It goes to show that when human error occurs, it can be very destructive. We wish everyone well in the clean-up operation and will have no difficulty in having the issue debated at the earliest possible time.

Senators Bradford, Coghlan and Buttimer called for a debate on all matters pertaining to social welfare. The next budget is not due until December. This year's Social Welfare Bill will be before the House for its consideration in three weeks time.

Senator Ó Brolcháin called for a debate on energy security. I have already given such a commitment and have no difficulty with it taking place.

Senator Mooney called for a debate on Northern Ireland and, as a Member living near the Border, made certain proposals in this regard. I have given a commitment that the Taoiseach will return to the House before the summer recess at which time we can review the progress made in Northern Ireland, particularly following the recent UK general election, the challenges we face and Senator Mooney's proposals to assist North-South relations.

Senators Mullen and Glynn raised the matter of new substances being sold in head shops. If they are not covered in the legislation, they should be covered by ministerial order. When these new substances emerge, they should be banned in law by ministerial order within five minutes. All sides of the House are united concerning whatever we can do to eliminate the plague and the scourge of head shops.

Senator Leyden congratulated Garda Commissioner, Mr. Fachtna Murphy, and the Garda Síochána for the recent arrests, which extended to Europe, and success in tackling organised crime. I join the Senator in congratulating the Commissioner and his team.

Senators O'Donoghue and Hannigan called for a debate on employment. As all Members know, it is the Government's number one priority. The unemployment rate is far too high and we want to do anything we possibly can to reduce it. Last Saturday at our major conference in Athlone, the Taoiseach made a major statement on the Government's policy in this regard. As has been said, 20 years ago 900,000 people were employed; today, it is 1.87 million, an increase of 880,000 people from the last recession. The Government's priority, and that of parliamentarians, has to be to see what we can do to assist those who are unemployed, particularly in the 18 to 25 year old age bracket. It would squeeze a tear from a stone to see well educated and good young men and women available for work but none available for them. The Government is endeavouring to do everything it possibly can. If any Member, no matter what side of the House he or she is on, has a good suggestion we want to hear it.

Senator Burke called for an urgent debate on restrictions on turf-cutting. It is a timely call and I will have no difficulty in debating the matter. As one who lives in an area that includes the Bog of Allen, I am always baffled going through the bog that on one side of the road a national agency can harvest 2,000 acres of turf, while on the other side local people cannot cut it for their private use. This is not common sense. It is unfair. I will allow whatever time is necessary to debate this issue before the summer recess.