Derek McDowell (Labour)

I was watching the school children who were in the Visitors Gallery a few minutes ago and wondered what they were thinking. I am not sure they all had the presence of mind to appreciate that they were witnessing a seminal contribution from Senator Mansergh on the issue of equine sex. Certainly, the blank faces that were to be seen indicated they did not.

There is no point covering this ground again. The Minister is aware of the views my party has articulated in recent years on this issue. However, is the debate over or is it just beginning? The Minister has been clear about his intention to put in place some type of replacement allowance, relief or incentive. I assume he will go to the Commission relatively soon about this because it takes an age to get these things approved. Perhaps he will give an indication of what basis there will be for the new relief. I see from Mr. Murphy, the official accompanying the Minister, that he will not.