Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

Apropos of the matter raised by Senator Brian Hayes, there should be an automatic and expeditious inquiry into any death in Garda custody, for whatever reason.

When the House resumes in the autumn, we ought to have a debate on the challenges facing what an expert from the ESRI called our "red hot economy". Employment is growing at 1,400 a week and we have the lowest unemployment rate in the EU. As the Commission President, Mr. Barroso, stated yesterday at the Forum for Europe, nothing is more social than employment.

Great credit is due to all concerned. It is not due only to this Government but to Governments over a period of years, the social partners and so on. We have a very healthy, strong economy. Our priority must be to keep it that way so, among other things, we can address social problems at home but also continue to increase, rather than stagnate, our development aid contribution, a process I support. I have every confidence we will do that.