Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is the response I received. I can do no more than outline to the House the response I received from the Department of Finance on that matter. I will seek clarification from the Minister in respect of MABS withdrawing from the pilot scheme on debt management.

Senator Bacik and several other Senators spoke about the outbreak of violence in Northern Ireland over the past number of days. I call on the Orange Order, as I did when it visited here, to enter into meaningful negotiations with the Parades Commission and all involved. I also ask it to urge its supporters, or so-called supporters, to get off the streets of Northern Ireland and act in a dignified manner, as the vast majority of the population does. I ask the Orange Order to use its influence in that regard immediately.

Senator Barrett spoke about the constant speculation in newspapers regarding the figure of €750 million. I assure him that we will see constant speculation over the next number of weeks and up to 15 October 2013, which is budget day. The newspapers will speculate about what will be in the budget, irrespective of what we say in this House. Regarding the figure of €7 million to be spent on bus stops, I think over €4 million of that is to be spent on bus shelters throughout the country. I do not think the people waiting for buses on wet days - we do not have days like today every day - would appreciate the Senator's comments in that regard.

Senator Mulcahy-----