Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

It was absolutely wonderful.

I take on board Senator Whelan's points on Superquinn and the difficulties arising from its sale for suppliers and small businesses. It is presenting great difficulties for the producers involved. I hope some kind of settlement can be made to assist them.

Senator Cullinane referred to the industrial relations Bill and the EU pensions directive. Waterford Crystal workers were treated shabbily, and that is putting it very mildly. I am sure the union is taking the Government to court over this, as the Senator stated. I am sure we will be addressing this after the judgment.

Senators Sheahan and Conway referred to the availability of credit. I hope Mr. John Trethowan of the Credit Review Office will get involved in these issues and that the people suffering from a lack of credit will go to him to try to sort out their problems. I stated yesterday the Minister for Finance had written to the banks seeking a report on a quarterly basis on the amount of credit they are giving to small businesses. Credit for small and medium-sized businesses comprises the lifeblood of our economy. I have no doubt this matter will be pursued by the Government. The need for changes in company law is noted.

Senator Crown called for a debate on the reform of medical education. He referred to Professor James Fennelly who was the first and only medical oncologist in the country. Many families throughout Ireland are very thankful to him for his work in this area over many years. We are all grateful to Professor Fennelly and join in expressing our condolences to his family on his sad passing.

Senator Wilson called for a debate on unfinished housing estates and his point is very good. The point was made in the House to the Minister on the need for NAMA to provide funding for these unfinished housing estates. I join with him in complimenting the Minister on grasping the nettle and ensuring NAMA will provide more than €3 million to upgrade and finish unsightly unfinished housing estates in several areas of the country.

I am sure we all join Senator Ó Clochartaigh in complimenting the front line staff at University College Hospital Galway. He also called for a debate on special needs and disabilities. The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, was in the House yesterday and he has agreed to return early in the autumn to speak on education and skills and spend a couple of hours taking part in a similar type of statements and questions and answers session which we will have today with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Coveney. We shall see whether the hour suffices for the session with the Minister, Deputy Coveney. If not, we can re-examine it.

I understand the point Senator Ó Clochartaigh made about Sinn Féin's speaking time but while it may have missed being included on possibly one or perhaps two occasions, if one looks at the record one will see it has had more speaking time than any other group in the House.

Senator White called for the Minister for Finance to attend the House next week along with other Ministers, including Deputies Bruton and Reilly. As I stated, legislation is our first priority but we will endeavour to bring some Ministers before the House. I am not confident it can happen but we will see what we can do.