Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I listened to the Minister of State, Deputy Dick Roche, on a number of occasions talk about the importance of this for investment in Ireland, which is true. I also listened to the director from SR Technics talk about Ireland being 20% above cost. The Government has a real job to do in getting down Government costs for which the Lisbon treaty or Europe is not responsible in terms of the attractiveness of the country as a centre for investment and of job protection and job creation. A great deal of work needs to be done there as well.

I have made the point that in view of the way we deal with referenda, I do not want confusion to arise where, in the lead-in to the question being answered by the people, there is 50% media coverage for and against. There will be 1,500 to 2,000 candidates for various parties involved in other elections. However, I take the Taoiseach's point that it is not the central issue now and that work is being considered by the Czech Presidency. I assume the Taoiseach will report progress as it happens.

Mr. Sean FitzPatrick, the former chief executive and chairman of Anglo Irish Bank, has declined to attend an Oireachtas committee for legal reasons. Recently, a senior member of FÁS refused to attend——

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