Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senator Boyle and others asked about the mental health Bill due to come before the House. I have no difficulty with that. We will have a meeting on forthcoming legislation tomorrow and following that I hope to have up to date information on what legislation will come before the House before Christmas, taking into consideration the various events over the past ten days. I will update the House next Tuesday on the Order of Business with regard to what business will be on the agenda up to Christmas. I hope to get the agreement of the Leaders to sit at 12 noon next Tuesday because it is budget day and to take our sos at budget time so all colleagues can attend the Dáil for the budget.

Senator Coffey asked about the Dublin mayoral Bill and asked what the position was with regard to the Government's support for small community enterprises and SMEs in general. We should make strong points on this issue in our all-day debate tomorrow, particularly with regard to matters that pertain to the EU agreement. We must ask what funding will be allocated towards support for job creation and for growth. If we do not have growth, we are in a steady race to the bottom. All of us with experience of small family sized businesses that have been providing employment for a long time know that support for the 800,000 employed by SMEs and for small and community enterprise projects must be the priority of whatever Government is in office. I know Senator Coffey is genuine and sincere in the points he made. If we do not receive clarification on this issue in our debate tomorrow, I will seek to have time allocated again or will appeal to the Leaders to use Private Members' time to tease out how we can create growth immediately. Rhetoric is no good. Nothing matters except the creation of growth in the economy.

If we achieve growth, changes can be made and hardship such as that outlined by Senator McFadden can be relieved. Nobody wants to be part of a Government or Oireachtas or local authority that allows people remain in that terrible plight. Officers in the HSE could certainly help the family she mentioned and I will talk to Senator McFadden after the Order of Business to see whether I can help her relieve the plight of that family in her constituency. It is appalling situations such as this should happen in our country at this time. My heart goes out to that family.

Senator Leyden reminded the House that the new register of electors will be in place from 15 February. It is of the utmost importance that young people will have a vote in the next general election and we should ensure that the election is after 15 February so they have the opportunity of exercising their vote. I join Senator Leyden in congratulating Shane O'Brien on being made young ambassador of the year. That is a wonderful achievement.

Senator Norris raised the matter of the Fine Gael policy to sell State assets. That is a matter for the incoming Front Bench or Government, whichever it will be.