Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

Senator Mooney referred to the famous Department of Agriculture and Food building in Drumshanbo. For a long time, Leitrim and Wicklow were the only two counties without their own district veterinary office. The Wicklow case has been sorted out and Drumshanbo is promised an office, the OPW having bought the site. I regret to say that I did not realise that was the case. I give the Senator a commitment to inquire about that immediately because it is a commitment the Government and the Department of Agriculture and Food made and it is only right that it be carried out. We did not get to hear from Senator Norris, unfortunately, but I know he would have been very complimentary about the issue with which we are dealing.

When the Bill was dealt with in the House before Christmas, there was not much time to debate the issue. It was important that we got agreement from the House and that was forthcoming from all sides. We undertook to come back to the House to debate the issues, and we have had a lively debate.

The Government is doing a successful job in managing the public finances. It is clear there are many challenges ahead, many of which have been outlined in the debate. I believe the budget we will set out in 2005 will continue to make real economic and social progress. I thank the Chair and Members for their attention.