Paschal Donohoe (Fine Gael)

Many of my colleagues have referred to today's forthcoming budget. In that context, I am asking the Leader for a debate on the fourth report of the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service, entitled Report on Macroeconomic Policy and Effective Fiscal and Economic Governance. This report has been endorsed by all parties in the House and seeks a more effective way to deliver budgets through the Houses of the Oireachtas and ensure past mistakes are not repeated. The core of the report is about ensuring Parliament has a more powerful and proper role to play in developing budgets and tracking their implementation. I have no doubt that if this report were to be implemented - and I hope it will be by the next Government - it would make a major contribution towards ensuring our current difficulties are not repeated.

I concur with Senator Norris's request for a debate on the role of Irish art and how we can support it. I saw a magnificent film at the weekend, entitled "His and Hers" and supported by the Irish Film Board, which concerns the lives of couples in the midlands. It is a wonderful piece of art that speaks to the lives of people in Ireland and will be of help to them.

A debate has also been sought on who the bondholders are in Ireland. If international banks are bondholders, which they are, can the Leader clarify the degree to which Irish pension funds are holders of senior debt in our banks?