Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Cummins, O'Toole, Alex White, Boyle, Donohoe, Walsh, Norris, Mooney, Coghlan, Healy Eames, Deary, Hanafin, Bradford and Carroll called for further debates on the four year national recovery plan. I thank all colleagues who participated in the magnificent debate we had yesterday in the House on the four year national recovery plan. The Seanad was the first House to debate the plan yet there was no mention in the media of the fact that we were discussing it within two hours of its publication. I thank the Whips, leaders of the Opposition and Members for their magnificent contributions to that debate. I also thank the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, who participated in the debate.

Various issues have emerged from the plan, including job creation and growth. As stated yesterday by the Minister and Taoiseach, parts of the plan will be covered in the budget. The returns for November-December, which are two of the best trading months of the year, will be crucial in terms of accuracy of the budget, due on 7 December. I will have no difficulty in arranging time to continue our deliberations on the plan, but the Croke Park agreement is crucial. The reason we have taken on the agreement in this House is that we wish to hold to account those charged with responsibility under it. The Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, who was appointed by the Taoiseach has special responsibility to ensure those responsible for the changes and implementation of the agreement are doing so. We will monitor implementation of the agreement, as I said, on a four-week basis and have the issues debated. There are many parts to the agreement and the national plan can also be debated. The problem is we have so much legislation coming before us for consideration.