In response to Senator Marc MacSharry on the issue of mortgage arrears, I can assure him that the Government is taking a hard line with the banks to ensure it is dealt with as soon as possible and without further delay. The Government has set targets with the banks, to which they must adhere and it will ensure they adhere to them.

Senator Ivana Bacik called for an extension of the deadline on Guthrie cards. She mentioned that the Minister had alluded to these cards. I will ask that he extend the deadline from 31 March.

We will have a discussion on the Private Members' Bill from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Senator Fiach Mac Conghail raised the matter of the St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Quite a number of Ministers and officials are going to many countries throughout the world for St. Patrick's Day to sell the country in the best possible way. It is an opportunity which no other country has. We can sell the country, particularly in the United States, and try to bring badly needed jobs here. This is probably the reason we have not had such a busy schedule this week. A number of Ministers are away. In addition to St. Patrick's Day, we also have the Presidency of the European Union. As a consequence, not as many Ministers are in the country as normal. I ask Members, including Senator Paschal Mooney, to take this into consideration.

Senator Fiach Mac Conghail and other Senators raised the issue of harvesting rights in the forests. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, came to the House to discuss a number of areas regarding the sale of State assets. The programme for Government includes the NewERA plans for the investment of proceeds from the sale of State assets in new, vital economic infrastructure which will come with additional job opportunities and make the economy more competitive. The Government has decided to issue a new licence for the national lottery and sell the non-network part of Bord Gáis Energy, some ESB power generation assets and the harvesting rights of some forestry assets. Following agreement with the troika, the Government will reinvest half of the proceeds back into the economy, with vital new infrastructure, with the remainder to be used to pay down the sizeable national debt. We can have a further debate if the House wishes and if the Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, can come to discuss it.

Senator Feargal Quinn and several other Senators spoke about the life being drained away from many town centres throughout the country, which he blames on planning. Certainly planning has had much to do with it in recent years. We have seen a build-up of shopping centres on the outskirts of cities and towns to the detriment of core city and town centre areas. While a committee debated the issue yesterday, we should probably broaden the debate and bring the relevant Minister to the House to discuss it. From listening to Members, quite a number of them would like to have a say in this debate. I will try to arrange it as soon as I possibly can.

Senator Michael Comiskey also raised the issue of harvesting rights and referred to the importance of access to third level education for all young people, particularly those involved in agriculture. We all agree with this.

I have addressed Senator Paschal Mooney's point. He also asked that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, who came before the House yesterday, clarify the position on local development companies. I will certainly ask the Minister to do this and I am sure he will do so in early course.

Senator John Whelan raised the issue of media ownership, which would probably come within the remit of media mergers which are covered in the new consumer and competition Bill which is being drafted. It is large, complex and very comprehensive legislation and I am not clear when it will be published. I will try to get an update for the Senator. Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú also raised this matter.

Senator David Norris spoke about the property tax. The Revenue Commissioners have sent out leaflets. It is self-assessment and while there will be difficulties with some thinking their property has a higher value than in the Revenue band in which it has been placed and others thinking their property is of a lower value, it is up to people to provide an estimate which they believe is correct based on property values in the area.

Senator Michael Mullins spoke about the salaries of bank employees, an issue also raised by other Senators. He called on the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, to come to the House to address the issue of where further savings could be made in public expenditure. The Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, have come to the House several times in recent months to discuss this issue and I am sure they would be quite willing to come here again.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh raised the issue of semi-State bodies, in particular the ESB, which are deemed to be making excessive profits. It is certainly a matter which the energy regulator should take on board because he gave the go-ahead for increases in these charges. He should certainly examine his own conscience when allocating increases to energy suppliers. I take on board what the Senator said.

On Senator Denis Landy's point, I will not tell people to mind their own business, but we compliment Senator Feargal Quinn on his book. With regard to credit union investment with the former Anglo Irish Bank, I have already raised the matter with the Minister for Finance, but I will take it up with him again.

Senator Colm Burke called for more joined-up thinking where banks are in negotiations with members of the legal profession and accountancy firms. He also said there should be one policy in this regard.

Senators Sean D. Barrett and Jim D'Arcy spoke about the remarks of Louise Phelan of PayPal. She clarified her remarks and her clarification is to be welcomed. She was speaking about how people carried themselves in the workplace and the work ethic of young people. Our young graduates should take on board what she stated because she is the chief executive of a large company and it is very important that chief executives have a good impression of our graduates. It is important that, as Senator Jim D'Arcy stated, this type of education is included in secondary schools in order that young people know how to conduct themselves when they enter employment. I remember 20 or 30 years ago in Waterford a famous Sister of Mercy, Sr. Eucharia, who had commercial classes. She was well ahead of her time in educating people on how to behave themselves in the workplace. We need more people like her to educate young people who may be the best intellectually but still have much to learn on how to behave in the workplace.

I note Senator Jimmy Harte's comments on the repossession of buy-to-let properties in particular. It is a different view from that of Senator Aideen Hayden on the matter. The Minister for Finance will impress on the banks that they must do more about mortgage arrears and will set targets to which they will have to adhere.

Senator Susan O'Keeffe asked that the Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock, come to the House to advance STEM subjects and the links with jobs and future employment. I will certainly invite him to come to the House to discuss the matter.

Senator Catherine Noone spoke about towns and planning. The reckless trading of bankers is certainly an offence which I am sure the Garda is examining.

Senator Martin Conway raised the issue of criminal investigations. That is a matter for the Garda, but I shall try to get an update on the subject. As always, the Senator praised the beautiful county of Clare and urged the protection of its villages.

Senator Jim D'Arcy referred to diesel laundering. We all wish the Garda well in curbing the illegal trade, as it plays havoc with the economy. It also plays havoc with the environment of many counties in Border areas because the sludge is dumped by people involved in this illegal activity.

Senator Aideen Hayden, as she did yesterday, warned about buy-to-let properties. She has advised that the people who live in them, including tenants, should be protected.