Solomon would not have the answers to all the queries I hear every day on the Order of Business.

Several speakers referred to the proposed banking inquiry, rightly so, following a number of queries yesterday about the potential participation of Members of this House in any inquiry.

At the request of a number of Members of the House, I wrote to the Government Chief Whip, the Minister of State, Deputy Paul Kehoe, yesterday as follows:

I am writing to you regarding the proposed Oireachtas inquiry into banking matters.

Prior to membership being decided, I would ask you to consider nominating an appropriate number of Senators to this Committee of Inquiry.

The matter was raised with me today by a number of members of the House, from all parties and I undertook to raise the matter with you.

I would be grateful for a reply at your earliest convenience.

That letter was sent yesterday at 2 p.m. As the Minister of State only received it this morning, I have not yet had a response from him. I echo the words of a number of speakers this morning. I do not believe it will be possible to find a person in the country who has not made a remark about the banks - rightly so - in the past five or ten years. While the legal advice might be to exclude people who made comments on banks, common sense should apply. What the people need at this stage is common sense, rather than legal jargon. They want us to get to the bottom of what happened. We need the right people who are best qualified to sit on the committee of inquiry and it would be my wish that some Members of this House would be included in the inquiry team.

Senator Darragh O'Brien and others referred to the anniversary of the death of Detective Garda Donohoe. I am sure we are all thinking of his widow and family at this time. Like other Senators, I urge anyone with any information to come forward. The Garda is dedicating all resources necessary in order to bring the perpetrators of this vile crime to justice, as is the wish of every right-thinking person in the State and beyond.

Senator John Whelan raised the issue of charities. This is the third day this week that it has been raised in the House, rightly so. It was also raised last week. The recent revelations about certain organisations in the charity sector have understandably damaged public trust and confidence, as alluded to by a number of Members. The commencement of the key measures included in the Charities Act will provide the increased transparency and accountability to allow trust to be rebuilt. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, will issue a call next week for expressions of interest from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for appointment to the board of the new charities regulatory authority with a view to making appointments before Easter to allow the authority to come into operation at that time. Arrangements are also being made to fill the post of CEO of the new authority on an interim basis by the end of February. I hope that updates all those Members who were asking for this to happen as a matter of urgency. The Minister is acting accordingly.

Senators John Whelan and John Kelly spoke about the changes in EU energy policy announced by the European Commission. They called for a debate and a review of the Government's position on the matter. I will invite the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resource, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, to come to the House to discuss the effects the Commission's proposed changes will have on Government policy.

Senator Sean D. Barrett made comments on the banking inquiry. I have dealt with that matter.

Senator Michael Comiskey welcomed the road grants announced. Local authorities will welcome the 15% flexibility afforded to them. In the past they were concerned about the rigidity in how they could spend road grants. The flexibility afforded will be welcomed by them.

Senator Marc MacSharry also spoke about the banking inquiry. I note his points on mortgage arrears, a matter I have addressed previously.

Senator John Kelly spoke about energy policy and also called for a review of the operation of the insolvency legislation. We should give it some more time before having a debate on its effectiveness.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh spoke about social housing and homelessness. I hope to have the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, in the House in the coming weeks to address that matter. I also note Senator Aideen Hayden's comments in that regard.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh also sought a debate on the ambulance service. I hope the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, will come to the House soon to address a number of health matters. He has been requested on a number of occasions to come to the House.

I also note Senator Martins Conway's points on charities. I believe I addressed that matter in my earlier response. Also on charities, with respect, I think Senator Terry Leyden was acting the maggot in what he was saying.

It takes one to know one. The Leader should talk to the Taoiseach about it.