Ivor Callely (Independent)

I join Senator Norris in congratulating all involved in the successful efforts to reduce carnage on our roads. I applaud in particular Mr. Gay Byrne of the Road Safety Authority and the industry which has produced vivid television adverts which have had an impact. I congratulate those involved on the success of all the campaigns carried out.

We will have a debate on job creation today and I support Senator Prendergast in her calls for a debate on health. Today we will receive the HSE annual report. Does the Leader intend to give time to the House to debate this report and the financial statistics? Is it possible for the Leader to present, either on a monthly or quarterly basis, reports made for the various Departments? The job creation debate today will be important but I understand a Government report is forthcoming on the financial difficulties that some of the small and medium enterprises are experiencing. An expert group has identified a number of measures that would greatly assist SMEs in the current, difficult economic climate, particularly in the context of obtaining payment in respect of goods sold. There are some that are not meeting the 15-day deadline that has been established in this regard.

It would be of assistance if Members were made aware of the contents of these reports, particularly if they are relevant to debates such as that relating to job creation which is due to take place later today. I ask the Leader to put in place a mechanism to allow Members to keep abreast of the reports that have been commissioned and their current status.