Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, Boyle, Norris, Ellis, Bacik, Daly, Regan, Dearey, O'Malley, Coghlan, Carroll, Ormonde and Ó Brolcháin expressed their concerns about the passing of the finance Bill in the Dáil. It our intention to take Second Stage of the Bill all day on Friday and Committee and Remaining Stages on Saturday. I hope to meet the leaders of the parties in the House immediately after the tributes to the late Seamus Dolan to finalise the timeframe colleagues require for their Members to speak on the most important legislation to come before both Houses of the Oireachtas every year. However, I support the view of Senator O'Toole that Independent Members, be they in the Dáil or the Seanad, have made an enormous contribution. Freedom of speech is sacrosanct. I support Independent Members of the Dáil and Seanad being allowed to express their views and vote with the courage of their convictions.

Some of the issues being rushed through the Dáil will cause the hardest of hardships on families who have built up businesses over generations. I am not too sure if the constitutionality of one of the sections of the Bill going through the Dáil might not be challenged. I certainly know of the hardship it will cause and the trust it will break with those who have invested in our country, from which we have benefitted in jobs, taxes and every other way. This leaves a lot to be desired.

Senator O'Toole spoke about the euro reforms and mentioned Chancellor Merkel's comments. I look forward to debating that here, if the electorate so wish, after the return of the next Seanad. Senator Alex White asked whether there was any progress on the missing children's hot-line. I will come back to the Senator on this and we have all supported it. I thank him for bringing it to our attention again.

Senators Norris, Ó Murchú and Walsh spoke about tributes to the men and women of 1916 who made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives so we could have our freedom to express ourselves in a democratic society. I put a motion down this evening to ensure the house where the seven met on 29 April 1916 to take the decision to surrender would be preserved as a national monument. It is not too much to expect that we honour and acknowledge those who gave their life for our freedom. I know that the next of kin of all seven will be with us in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery for this evening's debate. I am looking forward to it and I had no difficulty, for only the second time in my political career, in signing an objection to a planning permission, along with Senator Ó Murchú and colleagues in the Dáil, and calling for the preservation of 14-16 Moore Street as a national monument.

Senators, Quinn, Mullen and Callely all expressed serious concern about consumer confidence. On our return following the Christmas recess and following the heavy snowfall across the country throughout December, I said the retail sector was under serious pressure. It was decimated in some cases. I certainly would support Senator Callely's call that we should continue to shop locally. I ask the Revenue Commissioners, county managers and local authorities to be understanding to the retail sector, who have been with us for generations with their families and who are now finding it practically impossible just to keep the door open, not to mind paying rates and other charges or penalties that are being levied on them. It does not matter who is in government after the general election. They will have to take a caring view of those who have made a massive contribution for decades and who are finding it impossible to survive for the first time since the 1930s. Business is not there for making a living anymore, but it is just a way of life, as many people in the retail sector have told us recently.

Senators Quinn, Ormonde and Mullen offered their congratulations on the success of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board. Senator O'Toole and myself and other colleagues worked very hard on the enterprise and small business committee between 2002 and 2007 to set up that board. The chief executive office of the board, Patricia Byron, is doing a wonderful job. The vice-chairman is a Member of Seanad Éireann and Senator O'Toole has done a great amount of work in this area. I agree with the proposal that the balance of libel awards against the media should be examined when articles or stories are incorrect and a person is defamed.

Senator Mullen spoke about human rights. The former Leader of this House, Maurice Manning, has made a massive contribution in this area and I will pass the Senator's views onto the Minister. Senator O'Malley wished everybody good luck in the elections and congratulated everyone for having the courage to stand before the electorate. She kindly remarked that Senator O'Toole is a national treasure. That is certainly one on me, but we all know how important he is.

Senator Callely spoke about the redress scheme in respect of Dr. Neary and the few cases that still remain. The patients have suffered and an all-party agreement could be reached on this at an early date. Senators Callely and Carroll also spoke about the difficulties at Aer Lingus. Everybody will have to get around the table and negotiate a settlement and I wish them well. I know I have all-party support in saying that. Senator Carroll called on the Minister for Transport to come before the House and explain decisions made about a rail line between Navan and Drogheda. Senator Carroll has brought many issues from Drogheda and the Meath border to our attention over the last few months, and I have no difficulty in passing on his request to the Minister.

Senator Hanafin asked about the date for the next general election. It is the Taoiseach's prerogative. What he said made quite a lot of sense and I will pass his views on to the Taoiseach.