Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I commend the Leader and her staff on the manner in which business has been ordered this week to ensure that every Bill is given the time it deserves, particularly on Committee Stage. Bills are ordered which have returned from the Dáil and have already been the subject of useful discussion here. We need time to discuss Report and Final Stages. I say this as I am concerned at a reference by a commentator over the weekend to the Seanad rubber-stamping legislation such as the State Airports Bill. This has never been the practice of the Leader and I am absolutely certain that it never will be. In that context, it will not be possible to take the State Airports Bill this week. I look forward to an in-depth and full discussion on the legislation when we return in September.

Will the Leader schedule a debate on economic policy when we return? I note that a debate on this subject has begun in the Government parties among the real PDs, the pseudo PDs and the left wing of Fianna Fáil which has rediscovered its soul following the local elections. It would be a very useful debate. Perhaps we will get some insight into Government thinking over the summer months as its members get a chance to observe real life outside Government Buildings during their holidays.

I note in the media that the report by the all-party committee chaired by a former Member of this House, Deputy O'Donovan, on house prices and the price of building land appears to be almost complete. It would be a very useful exercise to consider the report at the earliest opportunity.