Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

People who seek debates should look into their hearts. I refer to those who request debates and who then do not attend when the relevant Minister comes before the House.

In the context of Senator Harte's comments, I am appalled that a member of a religious order is urging people not to pay a tax and to break the law. If that is the case, then it is despicable.

Senator Quinn referred to the Construction Contracts Bill. As he correctly pointed out, the Cabinet approved the Bill yesterday. I will emphasise to the Government the sense of urgency relating to the Bill. I compliment the Senator on bringing it before the House and on ensuring that it reached this stage. What happened in this instance highlights the importance of introducing Private Members' Bills in the House.

Senators Conway and Mullins requested that time be made available for a debate on the fiscal compact treaty. We will allow as much time as possible to be devoted to debating the latter in the House.

Senator White made a number of important points in respect of older people. I hope that the report of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee will be published very soon. It is a pity that it has not emerged as yet but it will be published in the near future. I am sure many of the recommendations it will contain are already contemplated in the booklet to which the Senator referred.

Senator Moran referred to men being encouraged to talk about depression. This is an extremely important matter and reference was made to it in the debate on suicide in which the House engaged on 12 January.

Senator Daly expressed certain sentiments in respect of Germany. It is regrettable that the Senator did not clarify the position with regard to and apologise for the points he made yesterday, when he insisted that the Government would not hold a referendum. Of course he made his remarks approximately two minutes prior to the Taoiseach's announcement that a referendum will be held. The Senator spoke a little too soon on the matter.

Senator Brennan referred to the teams that will be coming to Ireland to train prior to the Olympic Games. That will certainly provide a boost to tourism. We need all the boosts we can get at this point.

Senator Ó Murchú stated that the most positive action people can take is to support the treaty in the forthcoming referendum. I completely agree with him in that regard.