Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I wish to speak on the issue of rendition flights. A better way must exist because they are clearly illegal and I have spoken to American citizens who believe such practices to be counterproductive. Passenger lists should be published and a frank and honest debate on this serious issue is needed. This House cannot stay silent while international law is being breached.

Senator O'Toole raised the issue of small businesses. This House may be crying crocodile tears in that regard because the horse has already bolted. I was one of those retailers who bought compact discs for €17.99 and sold them for €19.99 until Tesco began to sell them for €14.99. Similar challenges arise in every town and village in the country. Small businesses are kept going because people earn less than the minimum wage for the hours they work and are digging into the money they made over the past 20 years. This state of affairs cannot continue. We are not doing enough in this House for small businesses in terms of giving them the economic incentives they need to thrive. Unless we take action urgently, we will have ghost towns and villages. Unfortunately, the problem is already upon us, so rather than cry crocodile tears, we should do our best to save small businesses.