Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

Will the Leader confirm if it is still the Government's intention to take No. 9, the Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Bill 2003, next week?

I support Senator Brian Hayes in respect of the two important matters he raised. The first of these is the case of our colleague, Senator Higgins, and Deputy Howlin. Members on both sides of the House have already agreed that there is an important principle at stake. Perhaps it is time, as Senators Hayes has proposed, that we debated the issue with the Minister for Finance.

I also support Senator Brian Hayes's comments on the Electricity Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2003, which will be debated tonight and which, I hope, the Government will accept. There are two things which the Bill proposes to do and which I could not but see the Government welcoming.