Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Colm Burke raised a number of issues regarding banks being discouraged from coming to Ireland. I would be very happy for the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, to come here to clarify the position and the role of the Central Bank.

Senator Colm Burke referred to the lack of representation of the Seanad on the Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Healthcare. It is very disappointing that there is no representation from this House on the committee. The Senator referred to the number of jobs being created. A staggering number of people are back at work. All Members will commend the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor, and her predecessor, Deputy Richard Bruton, on the role they have played, with the IDA, in getting people back to work.

Senator Michelle Mulherin raised the very important matter, at this time of year, of emergency planning and the "be winter-ready" campaign. The Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and Defence, Deputy Paul Kehoe, will come to the House, hopefully before Christmas, to discuss the matter. It is timely. Senator Ó Donnghaile raised the launch today in Clifton House. I am not sure whether his title was correct. Was it "unfavourable conversations"?