Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

As Leader of the House, I congratulate Senator Pearse Doherty on his election to Dáil Éireann and commiserate with all other colleagues, especially Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill, who fought such a great campaign.

Before detailing the Order of Business, the programme for national recovery agreed with the European Union and the IMF was the subject of much deliberation over the weekend. I am endeavouring to set time aside on the Order Paper for a discussion on the programme this week. I seek the agreement of the House to have an all-day debate on Thursday. If colleagues have their submissions prepared, I intend to include it in the business of the House to be ordered for Thursday.

The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on North-South co-operation in relation to sex offenders, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 5 p.m. if not previously concluded, on which spokespersons may speak for eight minutes and all other Senators for five minutes and Senators may share time, by agreement of the House, with the Minister to be called upon seven minutes before the conclusion of the debate for closing comments and to take questions from party leaders or spokespersons; and No. 35, Private Members' motion No. 19 regarding the Government's four year plan, to be taken at 5 p.m. and conclude not later than 7 p.m.