Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, Boyle, Coghlan, Hanafin, Norris, O'Malley, Coffey, Callely, Feeney, Hannigan, Buttimer, Ormonde, Harris, O'Reilly, Ross, MacSharry, Donohoe, Ó Murchú, Healy Eames and McDonald called on us to play our part in the serious challenges facing our country which have come to the fore, especially over recent days. As the Taoiseach said last night, the vital national interest requires that financial stability be achieved and all public representatives in both Houses of the Oireachtas have to fully agree with that.

The four most important issues are publishing the four-year plan, which will set out the necessary framework for adjustment to be implemented by 2014; adopting the budget, which will come to the Dáil this day two weeks; taking all the necessary legislative and other measures to give effect to the terms of the budget, which are the Finance Bill, which is the most important Bill passed by the Houses each year; and concluding negotiations on a programme for support from the EU, ECB and IMF. These negotiations are taking place in the context of budgetary arrangements which will come into effect. We are in a serious situation. Senator Fitzgerald quite correctly pointed out the difficult times our country is experiencing and I welcome the co-operation that has been offered regarding anything that can be done in the interest of our people.

The political parties have to take a back seat on this occasion. The national interest has to come first because the alternative is unimaginable. The people are suffering quite a lot. Many families are suffering far more than we ever thought they would again, going back to other tough and difficult times, through unemployment and all the various pressures on people, particularly those who are giving employment and being employed. Subcontractors have almost gone to the wall because major contractors are in liquidation. All these issues are facing our people at present.

Leadership is required and it must be order of the day. I fully agree with many of the sentiments expressed by Members. The four-year plan will be published tomorrow and it is my intention to have it on the Order Paper tomorrow. I will provide for an open-ended debate in order that each Member can discuss it. There will be a time limit on contributions but there will not be an end time for the debate. It could go on quite late tomorrow night.

Senator Callely raised the issue of fairness in the budget for people in need. He referred in particular to the 720,000 calls received by Childline so far this year and the 50% increase in cases dealt with by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He has always been a great supporter of the underprivileged and the ISPCC and all those great organisations that have huge demands on them currently. I will pass the Senator's wishes on to the Minister for Health and Children.

Senators Hannigan and Ormonde asked for a list of the Bills that will be taken before the Christmas recess. I will provide that later in the week.

Senator Ormonde referred to overseas development aid. I passed on the comments of Senators on the issue last week to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and I fully agree with Senator Ormonde's sentiments.

Senator Feeney referred to the important visit to the Isle of Man by the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly this week and her experience and conversations. I note the determination with which she delivered her comments to the House.

Senator MacSharry called for a debate on the four-year plan. This will take place tomorrow and I look forward to all Members participating.

Senator Ó Murchú said that the House has made an indelible impression regarding many issues, especially Northern Ireland. We have received much kudos for our stances on human rights and other issues. I have no difficulty in our coming back to the House to play our part, particularly on this issue. Tomorrow will be the start of that with the open-ended debate on the four-year plan.