Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I would like to be associated with the remarks on the wonderful achievements in the North yesterday. It is extraordinary to live to a stage where we see this happening. The consequences are far-reaching for the united approach to the ministerial council and for the country at large.

Like others, I feel we should recognise the work of Dr. Ian Paisley, Gerry Adams, Tony Blair, Peter Hain, the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and, indeed, former Taoisigh such as Albert Reynolds and Charles J. Haughey, who was one of the first initiators of dialogue, as well as our colleague, Senator Mansergh, who played a very important role. Many people played many roles behind the scenes, including civil servants who dedicated themselves to this process. We look forward to 8 May. We will combine our efforts with regard to selling Ireland Incorporated, North and South, to the international community with reference to trade, tourism and industrial development. It is a momentous time.

On another issue, will the Leader devote time to the question of competitiveness in the economy, particularly in regard to the proposal by Eircom to raise the price of the rental of fixed lines by 4.5% from €24.18 per month from the end of this year? Eircom has a monopoly position which it is abusing — it is rip-off Ireland. I find the service provided by Eircom does not rate compared to the position when the State was in charge of post and telegraphs during my time in the 1980s. My own telephone is out of order since last week but I hope Eircom will restore it quickly as I have made a case to it. I went through so many different——