John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I join with Senator Cannon and others who raised the issue of the rural environment protection scheme and the delay in payments to farmers. While there is a direction from the European Union, it has been varied for Ireland over the past 12 to 15 years since the REPS has been in operation and farmers are looking for a continuation of that. This situation will lead to serious financial hardship for a number of farmers who have entered into agreements with financial institutions in terms loans they have taken out to upgrade their farm holdings. I urge the Leader to arrange for the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to come to the House as quickly as possible to discuss this issue and to try to bring about a positive resolution.

I again ask the Leader to arrange for the Minister for Education and Science to come to the House to discuss the issue of a university for the south east region. We have heard contradictory reports in recent weeks about the status of the current application by Waterford Institute of Technology. A report was submitted by Dr. Jim Port on the application by WIT for university status for the south east region. It seems to be common knowledge that there is a degree of division in the Cabinet on this issue and that the Minister is determined not to grant university status to WIT. I ask that the report produced by Dr. Port is published and that the Minister come to the House in order that we can have a full debate on this issue.

I mention the candidature of Senator John McCain or the US presidency since all the other candidates have been mentioned. There is a need for balance. Senator McCain would make a fine president.