Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

-----and I look forward to the Oireachtas assisting him in relieving the plight of the people of Limerick.

Before becoming a Member, Senator Glynn gained considerable experience in the health sector and he has given the House advice on the abuse of drugs. I will have no difficulty in arranging a debate to determine how we can play our part in supporting everyone who is trying to address the difficulties being experienced in a minority of areas of the country, which is how we want to keep it.

Senator O'Toole correctly outlined the significant work done by Independent Members of the Oireachtas since the foundation of the State. Every Member, as an Independent Deputy or Senator or as a member of a political party, works in the best interests of his or her constituency; that is what he or she has been elected to do. Independent Members are no different from any other Member. As I told the Senator last week, the contributions of the Independent Members I have known during the many years I have been a Member have been exemplary and I commend them for their commitment.

Senator O'Toole also mentioned the Croke Park agreement which will return to the Order Paper next week when the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, will attend the House for a debate on the issue.

Senators Twomey, MacSharry and Norris spoke about banking, Cabinet confidentiality and various matters that have been highlighted in the media in recent days. I believe 30 September was a difficult day for the Government.

Senator Norris wanted to know who the bondholders were, whether they were the pension funds or various sectors of the Irish banks, and if credit union money was invested. Any fair-minded Member of either House can attest that there was great concern on the part of the Government towards protecting every Irish citizen, whether it was in terms of savings, pensions or whatever, in the national interest. The decent people who had worked so hard for generations to have those small amounts of savings in place for the next generation certainly had to be looked after and protected.

Senator MacSharry wanted a special debate on yesterday's Central Bank announcement about mortgage holders who are in arrears, which I welcomed. I have no difficulty with this, but perhaps in the budget debate tomorrow that might be mentioned by the spokespersons. I will discuss this at next Tuesday's meeting with the group leaders to see how it might be progressed, because I would like to have this debate before Christmas.

Senators Norris, Keaveney and Donohoe congratulated RTE on its very many outstanding home produced programmes in recent days. Those of us who have been big supporters of RTE for most of our lives would agree. Certainly the "Nationwide" programme last night was exemplary. I congratulate the presenters, producer and everyone associated with it, and last night's programme was just outstanding. One would be proud to be Irish and see what had been achieved in the 35 years the programme covered, especially in terms of the Army, women in the Army and how it has progressed so well in playing its part worldwide.

Senators Buttimer and Ó Brolcháin again called for a debate on parliamentary democracy. I have already made a commitment in this regard and I have no difficulty in allocating time to it, if possible. Senator Keaveney and many colleagues referred to the difficult weather we are experiencing at the moment. I want to record our thanks and gratitude to all the local authorities, the Garda Síochána, the Army, which is doing tremendous work, Civil Defence and everyone playing their part in no small way in probably the worst weather conditions Ireland has faced in the past 30 years.

I certain take the point made by Senator Keaveney about funding for the NRA and what is left aside for rural Ireland. People in rural Ireland must be allowed to continue to survive, live and be able to play their part in their communities. We should not be completely blocked in for days and weeks, as has been the case, and there is no difficulty with the House having a debate on this. I shall certainly pass the Senator's strong views on to the Minister after the Order of Business.

Senator Donohoe called for a debate on the fourth report of the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service, and there is no difficulty with this taking. I shall try to arrange to have it debated before Christmas, if at all possible.

Senator Cummins called for a debate on educational issues which he outlined to the House, and there is no difficulty about this. He also called for a debate on reform of the court services. This is an area in which Senator Cummins has a good deal of expertise, I appreciate the gravity of the request and I shall do everything I can to ensure this is also debated as soon as possible.

Senator Ivor Callely again called for a debate on domestic violence and legal procedures. The Senator has vast experience in this area, given his former portfolio as a Minister of State, and there is no problem as regards having a debate on this. The Senator also called for a debate on health matters, and I have no difficulty in arranging this at the earliest opportunity.