John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I support my colleagues' call for a debate on landmines. We have seen the terrible effects of landmines in particular areas many decades after wars have ceased there. It is time for landmines, like chemical and biological weapons, to become unacceptable and be banned.

The budget was an excellent, fair and balanced budget which looked after all sectors. However, it demonstrates clearly a split in the Mullingar accord. While Fine Gael has welcomed the tax reduction of the higher rate to 41%, the Labour Party has come out against it. There is a clear dichotomy in the Opposition.