Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I agree that the financial figures are very good and encouraging. We had a debate on the economy very recently and I am not certain it is necessary to repeat it quite so soon.

I appeal for an end to the phoney war on the nitrates directive. It has been explained over and over again at every level — I have done it myself in my county — what the situation is and that a derogation will be sought. To keep returning to the base figure is an unreal argument, as if a trade unionist were to keep insisting on talking about basic rates of pay when there are bonuses and overtime of up to 50% above them.