Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Cummins, O'Toole, Bacik, Boyle, Coghlan, Norris, Buttimer and McDonald expressed their concerns about costs in the HSE, banking and other areas. I will have no difficulty in requesting the Minister for Health and Children to update the House on HSE spending and the alleged waste of moneys highlighted in the media for several weeks and all other matters pertaining to her portfolio.

As the Deputy Leader outlined to the House in responding to Senator Bacik's query about climate change legislation, we expect the Government's Bill to be ready in the next two weeks. As soon as it is, I will make an approach to have it initiated in this House.

Senators O'Toole, Corrigan and McDonald raised the issue of the telephone helpline to report missing children. I support all of the sentiments expressed and will convey the Senators' views to the Minister.

I will make inquires, as requested by Senator Bacik, as to when the Civil Partnership Bill will come into law and come back to her directly on it.

Senators Coghlan and McDonald called for a debate on banking charges and professional fees being charged for NAMA. I will have no difficulty in having another debate on banking.

Yesterday the House debated the national economy and today it will debate the smart economy. It takes four to five days to have a Minister's diary made available to arrange a debate in the House. In all the years I have been Leader of the House I cannot ever recall refusing a request for a debate on any aspect of government expenditure. Senator Ross made his personal views on the issue known. As I said on the Order of Business yesterday, a debate, urgently required, on the Common Agricultural Policy will be held next Tuesday.