Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes, the leader of the Opposition, asked for a debate on the ethics in public office report on the benefits which accrue to Ministers and Ministers of State from being in office, not just for the three weeks of an election campaign but for four or five years. There are many issues to be considered. A price was put upon the size of one's office and the amount of time spent in the office as against the size of one's room. Other extraneous issues were also considered. I agree that a debate would be useful in highlighting these issues. There is a need for a debate on the dichotomy between a campaign which lasts for five years as distinct from a campaign lasting three weeks. I suggest that it did not do me any good in the election.