Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

In a few weeks we will debate the budget. I am sure it will come as a great comfort to everyone to know that on the basis of a benchmarking of the 12 eurozone Finance Ministers in yesterday's Financial Times, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, was adjudged the most effective. He has been able to generate additional resources for worthwhile social purposes, which include those mentioned by Senator Finucane.

Many of us will have observed with interest the visit of the Northern parties to the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, yesterday, which emphasises the best economic future will lie with having a devolved Government and institutions restored. We will not be surprised, however, that a corporation tax rate like ours is only likely to be possible if it is lowered in the United Kingdom as a whole. It raises more fundamental questions as to whether, in terms of first-class economic opportunity, all the people of Northern Ireland would not be better served by a closer relationship with this part of the country.