Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

The House met quite often when the Leader's predecessor held the office. However, I acknowledge that the current Leader has got twice as many Bills into the House as previously and we congratulate her on that.

I support Senator Finucane's request that the Leader ask the Tánaiste to come before the House for a debate on prices. There is a lot of variety here and we have a big problem in the services sector. I acknowledge what Senators O'Toole, O'Meara and Leyden said about the groceries order – I do not believe they will all lay the blame for current difficulties at its doorstep – which only covers basic foodstuffs. It is not exhaustive and does not cover all prices. As the Tánaiste said on 24 October 2000, it has done a very good job and that fact should be placed on the record.

Senator O'Meara mentioned the question of size which, as we know, is governed by retail planning guidelines which come under another Ministry. I understand the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, has commissioned consultants to carry out a review, for which we may have to wait a while.

I acknowledge the Tánaiste has had a good win on the issue of college fees. She has found €12 million rather rapidly, or idle in a bottom drawer—