Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

It is not possible to buy the type of experience to which I refer. A great deal of hot air has been vented on this morning's Order of Business and all I can say to the good people opposite is that they should keep taking the tablets.

Senator Bacik made an extremely worthwhile request in respect of time being made available for statements. As stated yesterday, due to the amount of legislation with which the House is going to be obliged to deal - I intend to read into the record the list of legislation that is to be passed during the remainder of the lifetime of the current Dáil and Seanad - it will be extremely difficult to take statements. If at all possible, however, I will take statements on certain matters.

The Senator also referred to the reform of the penal system. We previously engaged in a debate on prisons and I will pass the Senator's views on to the Minister for Justice and Law Reform.

Senator O'Reilly referred to Food Harvest 2020 and Senators Quinn, Ó Murchú and others highlighted a number of success stories in the area of exports. I will examine the Fianna Fáil Private Members' time slot for next week. With colleagues on this side of the House I am leaning towards the view that the topic for Private Members' time will be the success of our exports, especially last year, which was our year of need.

Senators Mooney, Mullen, Ó Murchú and Feeney called for a debate on tourism and congratulated Con Haugh, the Secretary General of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport, on his marvellous achievements. They also referred to the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and Ministers representing our country abroad. As Senator Ó Murchú said, it is a window of opportunity given to us every year in the month of March and on which all the agencies and Governments of all political persuasion have worked hard over the years. This is a time when we must go out and support those who have been supporting us for generations. Exports are the future for our economy and to think any other way would be damaging to the country at present.

Senator Norris raised the issue of the postal service changes. I listened attentively to what the Senator had to say in that regard. He also raised the intellectual copyright regulations and the 70th anniversary of the death of James Joyce, which is today.

Senators Callely and Quinn referred to exports and the success of Bord Bia and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in that regard. Bord Bia's figures indicate that exports are up 11% on last year, which must be commended.

Senator Regan raised the issue of the Finance Bill. It will be before the House as soon as it is concluded in the Dáil. As currently planned that will be before the end of February.