Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

-----and requested a debate on St. Patrick's Institution. We will try to have a debate on the whole question of that institution at an early date.

Senators Barrett, Walsh, Quinn and Paul Coghlan called for a debate on the future of the euro and referred to the importance of that. We have had both the Minister for Finance and the Minister of State in the House on a regular basis, and I am sure they would be quite willing to come in again to debate the question of the future of the euro, particularly in view of the meeting which is being held today between the Taoiseach and Chancellor Merkel.

Senator Quinn rightly stated that the Government does not create jobs but it can create the environment for jobs, which is very important. The cost of business is also a very important issue and the whole question of sick pay has been raised in recent days. We will have the Minister for Social Protection in the House tomorrow for a two-hour debate and there will be an opportunity to pose the relevant questions that have been raised on the Order of Business.

Senator Cullinane called for a pre-budget debate. As I said, although it is a very busy time for the Minister for Finance, as the Senator can imagine, I will endeavour to have him come to the House. I realise Sinn Féin has published its own proposals, which I heard some economist state would drive investment out of the country. However, we will deal with that when we come to it.