Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senator Kelly called for a debate on tourism. As I said in response to the matter raised by Senator Donohoe, perhaps Fine Gael would make provision for the inclusion of one of these matters in its Private Members' time next week. Tourism is important and it should be discussed prior to the budget. The Minister for Finance spoke on pre-budget submissions in the House recently and submissions were made on tourism. Tourism is one of the three planks on which the economy and the Celtic tiger were built. As a large number of people are employed in the services sector with the tourism industry accounting for a large number of employees, I can agree to our having another debate on this issue.

Senator Cummins referred to comments made in the House of Lords yesterday and the naming of the persons in regard to the horrific murder of a young man in County Monaghan. I am in favour of anything we can do to strengthen the hand of the PSNI and the Garda Síochána. The House fully supports the sentiments expressed by the Senator in that regard. I hope that all these endeavours will in no way interfere or impinge on the great work that has been carried by all political parties on the island of Ireland in regard to sustaining and hoping to improve on the Good Friday Agreement.

Senator McCarthy called for a debate on local government reform and asked that the Minister, Deputy Gormley, come to the House to discuss the role of Oireachtas Members. I have complimented the Senator on many occasions in this House since I became Leader again but on this occasion I point out to him that we have a great working relationship with local government officials in Longford-Westmeath, which Senator McFadden can confirm. Once every three months Oireachtas Members representing the area meet the county manager and all the directors of services in counties Westmeath and Longford. We have great co-operation. If this is not happening in another part of the country, that is not our experience in the Londford-Westmeath area.