Brendan Daly (Fianna Fail)

In regard to Senator Ryan's comments, it would be a very bad day for free speech and democracy in this country if people were prevented from expressing their views on issues because of the fear of being carpeted by their employers, or party leaders for that matter. We should bear this in mind. People are perfectly entitled to express their personal views about issues. Whether we like those views or not is another matter.

Representations have been made to me by small businesses in the construction industry in regard to the terms of a new fixed contract that is currently being negotiated by officials in the Department of Finance and employers' groups. It could have serious detrimental effects, especially on small construction businesses which employ 30,000 people in the mid-west region. The effect could be delays in small public contracts, litigation and very serious problems for some smaller companies that will not be able to compete in this market in the future under the proposed new conditions.

We need clarification from the Department of Finance as to how this fixed lump sum contract arrangement will work. We may be able to get some indication as to whether it would be possible to amend it to ensure that small companies, which employ 30,000 people in my area of the mid-west, will not be put out of business.