Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

Last week I called for a debate on the national finances and the national debt. This new report from the ESRI highlights the direction in which the Government is bringing us in terms of the economy and the national finances. I reiterate that call for a debate in the new year and that the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, would be invited to attend.

I wish to raise one other issue which relates to a reference to barristers by Senator O'Toole yesterday in the context of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007. It is one thing to criticise barristers about the fees they charge but it is another matter to cast aspersions on their competence, dexterity and intellectual agility.