Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senator McFadden voiced her serious concerns about the former employees of Gentex in Athlone where up to 140 people could be affected. This is a very serious concern for those families and I will pass on the views of the Senator to the Minister following the Order of Business. Perhaps the Senator could raise this issue during Private Members' business or on the Adjournment to find out the exact position of the Department in respect of it. It will probably also speed things up. I have a very serious request in respect of the peace of mind one gets from having a little pension to assist in one's senior years for which one has worked and paid in very bad times. I want to see how we can bring the Minister to the House to be answerable and to see how we can progress the serious concerns of the Senator.

Senator Ormonde welcomed the decision by the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and the IFA to vote "Yes" in the forthcoming referendum. As we all know, the EU reform treaty is about making Europe more effective and this will help in the development of the Irish economy into the future. Ireland is a very respected member of the EU and I would go so far to say that we are role models in Europe. The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing information about the treaty. We all know that the Department has already published 150,000 leaflets explaining the treaty. However, when the Bill is published, the Government will set up a referendum commission which will be allocated almost €6 million to send out balanced information to citizens outlining the key issues in the treaty.

This treaty is a very good deal for Ireland and Europe. I agree with the Senator that Ireland's future economic interest will remain at heart of it. This is part of our selling message to the new investors and companies who are interested in coming here and anyone with which we are doing business around the world.

Senator Alan Kelly made his very strong views known to the House about workers' wages in Ireland. In comparison with the average wage in the UK, which is €26,000, the average wage in Ireland is €32,000. I believe it is the second highest in Europe. However, instances, such as those pointed out by the Senator today, arise and I take the points he has made. When the Senator's party was endorsed in 1982, 1,000 people were leaving our shores every week. What a wonderful change there has been since then.