Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I have no difficulty with the Order of Business. The Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill is a classic example of an instance where all Stages should be taken in one day. The legislation is more like a schedule to a Bill than an actual Bill.

On the issue raised by the Leader of the Opposition, Senator Brian Hayes, I wish to indicate my great admiration for the retiring President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox, MEP, who has graced the House with his presence on a number of occasions. I also recognise that the Government has been open enough to appoint Deputy John Bruton, for example, to the constitutional committee in Europe and Mr. Alan Dukes to another senior position. However, as a disinterested Independent politician, I would be happier if the next Irish European commissioner was somebody with a hands-on rooted position in Irish politics. I said that on the previous occasion although I have no problem with the current commissioner. I would prefer to see somebody move from Irish politics to European politics. Mr. Pat Cox has a role to play in Europe and I support much of what he does. He has a huge contribution to make there. However, in terms of representing the needs of Ireland at this crucial time, I would like to see somebody who is rooted in Irish politics, of whatever party, get the nomination.

Over the past few days we have seen some changes in the movement of our economy. Ireland has moved up the competitiveness league and chief executives are paying themselves huge annual bonus increases. They are obviously rolling in money. We are also facing a new national agreement negotiation and the Government has found an unexpected extra €500 million in the bank. In the context of those changes, it would be useful to debate how we might help the Government to spend the €500 million. It should share it equally with workers and producers and spend it in the areas of health and education, particularly special education, which are crying out for support. It would be useful for us to go on the record on those issues. Health and education are raised on the Adjournment almost every night. We should say that we want this money spent in those areas and that we want it spent soon.