Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, to the House. I am glad of the opportunity to speak on this important issue. There is no doubt that the country is doing phenomenally well and great credit for that is due to many people. Having listened to the speech by the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ahern, earlier, and other speeches by Government Senators, one would think that the world began in 1997.