John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I would like to respond to the Minister's 20 minute blast. A number of recommendations were proposed and the Minister did not deal with the comments made by Members. As usual, he attacked the Opposition. Senator O'Toole put a specific proposal to the Minister, who managed to speak for 20 minutes without referring to it. He has not responded to any comment by Opposition Members.

Following his reply to Second Stage, I did not seek to mention the many contradictions in his contributions subsequent to his opening remarks. However, I cannot let them pass without commenting on them. He regularly referred to the necessity of remaining within the budgetary context. The reason the legislation is before the House is the Minister is not doing so.