Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

I concur with Senator Brian Hayes in his call for a debate on the European constitutional treaty. While it may be a two year process, as Senator Hayes pointed out it is important we engage in proactive debate at this stage. As was the case with the Nice treaty, the "No" lobby is always well organised, albeit that it only represents a minority. It is time the majority were in favour of such things. We should proactively engage in constructive debate at this stage to build for a referendum which may come in the next two years.

Will the Leader ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to come to the House so we can actively debate the review of local government funding, which we understand is under way? It is important we feed into that review now rather than reacting to its findings after the fact.