Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Cummins, O'Toole, Hannigan, Coffey, Coghlan and Buttimer congratulated everyone associated with the reopening of Waterford Crystal yesterday and the creation at its factory of 70 full-time and 30 part-time jobs. As Senator Cummins stated, the local authority and, in particular, its manager deserve credit for the initiative they showed in the matter. As everyone is aware, Waterford Crystal is a global brand name and it is vital that it be protected. I fully support the views expressed by Senator Cummins.

Senator Cummins also made a proposal to the effect that various agencies should come within the remit of local authorities. This proposal is certainly worthy of consideration by the Minister. Reference was also made to the future funding of local government. The House will be engaging in a debate on this matter which will present a major challenge to the Government, local authorities and public representatives, be they local authority members, Senators or Deputies. Everyone is aware that retail business interests are under serious pressure. High water rates, particularly for those businesses which are obliged to use large volumes of water, are becoming an issue of major concern. Some years ago insurance payments represented the second largest cost - after wages - on the balance sheets of businesses. Rates are now the second largest. As stated previously, the House should engage in an all-day debate on the funding of local authorities. I would like Members to be prepared to contribute to such a debate, for which I will make time available at the first available opportunity.

Senators O'Toole, Regan, Hanafin and Ross welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, in respect of the paper trail in the Department of Finance and the external review of its activities. As Senator Ross indicated, this is one of the most powerful Departments and it is crucial that individuals be held answerable for various aspects of its work. I fully support the Senator's views in this regard. The House will continue to debate and receive updates on the activities of the Department on a monthly basis.

Senators O'Toole, Ross and Buttimer referred to the importance of polls. Everyone knows that the only poll that really matters is that which takes place on the day of an election. However, Senator Buttimer raised a valid point about standards in journalism. Following the summer recess, the House will engage in a debate on various aspects of this matter and will be informed of how the work of the Press Council of Ireland is progressing.

Senator Hannigan congratulated the Minister for Health and Children for previously allocating €11.6 million for the new extension at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, County Louth. I am sure the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and Senator Carroll will take pride in this extension, the completion of which means that the hospital's accident and emergency unit will be able to accommodate up to three times as many patients in the future. This is a good news story and we join the people of north Leinster in celebrating this development which has been completed at a cost of €11.6 million in difficult economic times.

Senators Hannigan, Boyle, Coghlan, Ó Brolcháin, Healy Eames and Ellis referred to the independent review of planning issues commissioned by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley. The House has engaged in many debates on the challenges facing the planning system, particularly in the context of one-off housing and in view of the fact that it is important that the areas in which we were born and reared do not become a wilderness. I hope common sense will prevail and that sons and daughters will be in a position to build houses adjacent to those owned by their mothers and fathers in order that they might assist them as they grow older. In that context, the importance of carers, etc., has been highlighted on many occasions. The best care one could ever receive is that provided by a son or daughter living next door. Grandchildren often care for their grandparents during the day until their parents return home from work. We were all raised in an Ireland in which people cared for each other and were part of their communities.