Dan Boyle (Green Party)

I would like to be associated with the words of congratulations to Cardinal-elect Seán Brady on his accession and to Ms Anne Enright for winning the Man Booker prize. Ms Enright's success, in particular, is notable, given that she is the third Irish author to win this prestigious award in a number of years. The prescience of the Arts Council, too, is noteworthy for distributing copies of the book to Members of the Oireachtas in the last week. It must have known something the rest of us did not.

I have one suggestion for a possible debate. Just an hour ago the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, along with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, launched the Green Paper on pensions and there is to be a consultation period which is to conclude in the middle of 2008. It would be in order for this House to use that consultation period for a wide-ranging debate to help inform that process.