Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)

I have one or two brief points. I welcome the proposed debate sought by Senator O'Donovan and would like to participate in it. Like everyone in public life at any level, I have also received a few belts from editorials. At the same time we must be cautious and remember the words of Benjamin Disraeli who said "Never complain and never explain". That maxim goes a long way for me.

I ask the Deputy Leader to convey my thanks and the thanks of the House to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, for the efficient way in which he resolved the issue I raised here two weeks ago concerning expense remunerations for members of regional river basin committees. He moved with great speed on an issue that had been dragging along for quite a while.