Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Ormonde for sharing time. I wish to share time with Senator Maurice Hayes. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, to the House and the Minister, Deputy Cowen, who was here earlier. I welcome also senior officials from the Department of Finance. That senior officials are present to listen to the views of Senators gives greater recognition to the House. The officials, who are specialists in particular areas, come from different sectors of the Department of Finance.

This is one of the best budgets of the century. The issues were dealt with very favourably. For example, the Shannon tax corridor is being phased out in a reasonable manner. This will allow people to adjust. All sides of the House lobbied the Minister, Deputy Cowen, and he responded extremely well as did the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, who would have supported it.

The urban renewal scheme has been a phenomenal success. I am not sure whether it can be renewed but I ask that it be reconsidered. There are parts of County Roscommon and elsewhere in need of urban renewal. At present major urban renewal work is taking place in Roscommon town. That scheme was implemented in conjunction with Roscommon County Council, of which I was a member, and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and the areas designated will boost the centre of the town.

I compliment the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, for pushing the decentralisation programme. All politics is local. That Land Registry is being decentralised to Roscommon town and will be a great boost for the town. Roscommon will become the registry centre of Ireland. If, as I hope, I can have my Registration of Wills Bill passed it will be implemented at the General Register Office in Roscommon. It took many years to bring the General Register Office to Roscommon town. People should be patient in this regard. In 1992, when I was a Deputy——