Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

It is important that all the amendments tabled on the Committee Stages of these Bills are discussed. A complaint was made in the Lower House last week in regard to the Residential Tenancies Bill 2003 about the fact that 25 Government amendments were not even reached. This House needs to discuss all the amendments and I thank the Leader for making time available for the debate.

There is still a deal of speculation concerning the State Airports Bill 2004. The Leader has put together a very good schedule of legislation this week. In that context, will she confirm that the Government does not intend to bring the Bill before the House at any time this week, as outlined by the Leader last Friday, given that it is still before the other House?

As the Leader is aware, the march in Drumcree last Sunday thankfully came to a peaceful conclusion. I congratulate the PSNI, the protesters and the Portadown residents for doing everything in their power to ensure that tensions were not heightened on the day. It bodes well that the tension regarding the marching season, which was a regular feature in the past, will be kept to a minimum this year. It is a great sign of the new confidence of the PSNI that it has managed to broker deals locally to ensure that tension is kept under wraps. There is a responsibility on Sinn Féin to support the new policing arrangements. It is over two years since the SDLP signed up to the PSNI. It is now time for Sinn Féin to cross the Rubicon, support the new arrangements and make it a totally new beginning for policing for everyone in Northern Ireland. The success of the PSNI in Drumcree last Sunday is the type of success we want replicated every week in Northern Ireland. I congratulate the PSNI in that regard.

Since we are in the throes of the tourism season, a recent report showed that, according to the Central Bank, the price of goods here exceeds the EU average by 12% and that tourists who come here want value for money. We are known historically as the Ireland of the welcomes, but of late we have been known as the Ireland of the rip offs. We have not provided good value for money for tourists. As we move through the tourism season hoteliers, restaurateurs and all of us have a responsibility to ensure value for money. Not only are tourists coming here to enjoy a holiday, but ultimately they will be ambassadors for the country when they leave and tell their friends back at home about their trip. It is important for a major industry that we keep a focus on the price of goods and services to ensure Ireland is as competitive as possible.