Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I agree it is prevalent; I just feel the need for a confession. The Senator also raised planning and the need for a debate on that matter.

Senator Ulick Burke called for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to come to the House. Tesco's admission that its mark-up is higher here than in any other country is remarkable. All of us who flock to Tesco and other stores to do our shopping do so in the belief that we are getting food cheaper. It comes back to the old adage which the Tánaiste has repeated frequently that one should shop around. Time, more than anything else, stops people going from one place to another. The Tánaiste is good at coming to the House when required so we will ask her to deal with that issue.

I share the concern about the disabled person's grant. I do not know what is happening in other counties, but the money has dried up in my county and in the town council area. It must be money which is ring-fenced and there can be no spill over from another area. I will seek to have the matter addressed in the House and to get answers.

I was asked if there would be new seating and voting arrangements. There will not, but Senator Brennan is a good person, a fine public representative.