Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his election and assure him of my full support. As Senator Jim Walsh stated when the House last met, the Cathaoirleach is one of life's true gentlemen.

On this, the first formal day of normal business, I ask the Leader to request that the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, attend the House for pre-budgetary statements. While I am aware the Seanad does not have a formal function in the preparation of the budget, it would be beneficial if Senators were to have an opportunity to air their views to the Minister for Finance at the early stages of the budget preparations. I am sure the House will welcome the Budget Statement on budget day but Senators would greatly appreciate an opportunity to play a role in the budget process.

It is some years since the national spatial strategy was developed. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to debate the strategy's progress and, in certain contexts, lack thereof in the coming weeks.