Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Ormonde for sharing time and welcome the Minister. I am filling in for Senator Walsh who sends his apologies. He is unable to be here today as he is attending a family funeral, but I will pass on the Minister's comments to him.

I compliment the Minister on his up-front analysis of the situation. It is always welcome to hear a Minister outline the position and admit the figures are worrying, but that he is prepared to examine the problem and put in place a strategy to deal with it.