Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming back the former Senator and Deputy, Pat Gallagher, the county manager in Offaly. It is nice to see him again.

Senators Cummins, O'Toole, Coghlan, Hanafin, Bacik, Walsh, Buttimer, Boyle, Ó Brolcháin, Doherty and Ó Murchú expressed concerns regarding the national development plan.

I welcome the Taoiseach's commitment to continue to spend 5% of GDP on capital projects. I also welcome the creation of hundreds of jobs announced yesterday in the areas outlined by Senator Cummins, including the provision of service stations on motorways, inlcuding, I am pleased to say, on the M4 and M6. I look forward to the day when they will provided on all motorways. The Minister for Finance will be in the House this evening to take the Central Bank Reform Bill 2010 and all issues relating to the banks and the national development plan should be raised when he is here when we will be able to get the up-to-date position.

It is completely unacceptable that those seeking jobseeker's allowance, in particular in the areas mentioned by Senator Cummins, including my area and that of other colleagues, Mullingar, must wait for more than three months. How anyone expects them to survive is beyond one's imagination. I will pass on the strong views expressed in the House on this serious problem to the Minister after the Order of Business.

Senator Cummins also raised the issue of telephone and Internet betting. I will make inquiries in this regard. When industry representatives were present last week they expressed their serious concerns. I will see what I can do about the matter and come back to the House on it.

Senators Prendergast and Buttimer asked when the Minister for Health and Children would come back to the House to resume the debate on health issues and give the up-to-date position on the HSE. The Minister will be back in the House next week when the debate will resume.

Senators Corrigan, Healy Eames, Dearey, Buttimer, Mooney, Phelan, Glynn, Norris and Ó Murchú all expressed shock at the articles carried in the newspapers on disability services. They spoke about the great work being carried out, in particular in respite care services. I will endeavour to have the responsible Minister in the House before the summer recess, if at all possible. I join colleagues who spoke about the Brothers of Charity service in Galway. We want to be the champions of those on the margins. Faceless bureaucrats are endeavouring to turn back the clock, as mentioned by Senator Glynn who has considerable expertise, as he has worked in this area all his life. Those of us who were members of health boards worked hard to have people returned to the community. Respite care services are urgently needed. One's heart goes out to the families affected. We would not be worth our salt if we did not back them up and support their calls. I will endeavour to have the responsible Minister in the House to give us the up-to-date position and, if at all possible, an assurance on what we want to see happen for those who need care and attention.

Senator Coghlan asked about the Central Bank Reform Bill 2010. I will allow time to elapse between Second and Committee and Remaining Stages.

Senator Hanafin called for a free vote on the Civil Partnership Bill 2009. As we all know, the Whip system is in place and applies to all Bills. It is a Government decision and those on this side of the House must obide by such decisions.

Senators Bacik and Keaveney referred to tourism and the need to help those who wished to bring their bicycles here while on holiday. It is unacceptable that Irish Rail will not allow people to transport their bicycles on its trains. Everyone who wants to come here to enjoy what the Emerald Isle has to offer should be allowed to do so, whether they want to walk, use a bicycle or a motor car. I will contact the office of the chairman of CIE, Dr. John Lynch, immediately after the Order of Business to ask him to change this regulation, particularly when the economy is going through such a difficult period. We should do everything possible to do help those involved in the tourism industry in rural areas. There is a wonderful opportunity to do so, as we are having one of the best summers we have had in years. I will do everything I can and come back to the House on the issue later in the week.

I join Senator Keaveney in welcoming the provision of €457,000 for peace and reconciliation projects. I also welcome the provision of funding for Derry Airport. This is a godsend for the people of counties Derry and Donegal. I refer to the advertising campaign mentioned by the Senator. Such a campaign would also be ideal for the South. I will pass on her views to the relevant Minister.

Senators Healy Eames and Ó Brolcháin referred to the success of the western rail corridor and asked the Minister for Transport to come to the House to update it on his future plans for the link. I will have no difficulty in making this request. I understand the Minister will be in the House in the coming days when colleagues may be able to avail of the opportunity to find out the up-to-date position.

Senators Ross, Buttimer, Mooney, Phelan and Norris referred to NAMA projects being affected by the information emanating from banks. As I said, the Minister for Finance will be in the House this evening when Senators may avail of the opportunity to ask questions and express serious concern about Anglo Irish Bank and related issues.

Senator Walsh called for a debate on human rights. I have already given a commitment that a debate will take place after the summer recess.

Senators Phelan and Mullen called for a debate on carers. The debate will take place next week. Given that so many Senators have offered to speak on the issue, I will be in a position to allow the debate to continue, if necessary. As Senator Mullen correctly said, there are 161,000 carers whose work has been valued at €2.5 billion. They are the unsung heroes of our society. Anything the House can do will be done. I congratulate carers who are doing such wonderful work. We will give them whatever support we can.

Senator Ó Brolcháin referred to opinion poll results carried in Sunday newspapers and how questions were framed. It is an issue at which we can look closely. The House has excelled in this regard. The last time legislation dealing with the matter was brought forward, Senator Ross brought to our attention in the early hours of the morning the fact there was no provision for an embargo on the production of opinion poll results on election day. I will have no difficulty in the House reviewing the matter.

Senator Norris referred to the all-party motion which would be taken this week. Senator O'Sullivan referred to planning regulations in regard to the Ballylongford project that would result in the creation of 500 new jobs, something we wholeheartedly welcome. He also referred to fast-tracking of applications in regard to the Tarbert power station, which project has the potential to create another 500 jobs. I will make inquiries in this regard. The planning legislation will be brought before the House next Tuesday when there will be an opportunity for us to receive an update on what is happening, from Senator O'Sullivan's point of view, in County Kerry.

Senator McFadden referred to the issue of asylum seekers. I understand the immigration, residence and asylum seeker protection Bill will be published shortly. I fully agree with the Senator on the importance of human life and respecting the rights of the people concerned in these difficult and dark times. I will do everyting I can to update the House on when the Bill will be brought before the House for its consideration.