Like others, I agree fully with Senator Paschal Mooney's remarks about the refusal of Mr. Draghi and the European Central Bank to participate in the banking inquiry. We know we have a first-class record as excellent Europeans. We support the euro and all the institutions. The Taoiseach and the Government will have to take up this issue in the strongest possible manner. That needs to happen quickly. The non-participation of Mr. Draghi and the ECB will weaken the inquiry, which cannot be seen to be full and thorough in the absence of people who were so central to the matters under scrutiny. We await developments in early course in this regard.

I agree totally with what the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, said this morning on the fisheries issue. I join Senator Michael Mullins in congratulating the Minister on the €123 million package for whitefish fishermen. This issue is close to the hearts of the Leas-Chathaoirleach and everyone else involved in fishing in the area of the Celtic Sea to the south of his constituency. This package is very much to be welcomed.

It has already been mentioned that we could usefully have a debate on the situation in Northern Ireland in the new year. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland have invested a huge amount of time in this process. It is unfortunate that the parties have not yet managed to come to some compromise agreement. I look forward to a debate on the matter at an early stage of the new year.