Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I welcome this morning's announcement by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, that the retirement gratuity and expenses available to elected councillors will be improved. I will continue to pursue proposals to introduce a pension for councillors because they are entitled to one. I am not prepared to walk away from this issue, even if it is unpopular with members of the public and the press which has attacked it. I am not afraid of the press because the proposal is right.

I concur with Senators' comments on the despicable decision by BUPA to pull out of Ireland, leaving 475,000 policyholders in the lurch and resulting in the loss of 300 jobs in Fermoy. The VHI should step in and take over——