Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

He is not always wrong. The Minister, Deputy Smith, will come to the House for the first time in his new role to clarify this issue in minute detail for the people of Ireland and they can then adjudicate on it. I refer in particular to the hard-pressed and hardworking families, generations of whom have devoted their lives to agriculture. Members of the farming community are the backbone of our country. A major statement will be made by the new Minister tomorrow when he comes to Seanad Éireann to clarify for the people of Ireland for once and for all the situation regarding the challenges facing the farming community to enable them to make up their minds and do the right thing when they vote in the Lisbon treaty referendum. I look forward to the Minister's presence in the House and to a full attendance tomorrow for clarification of this important issue to the House and to the people of Ireland.

Senator MacSharry called for a debate on the task force on reform of the public service. Such a request is timely. Given the experience of colleagues in the House, Senator O'Toole in particular, in this area, I can think of no better person to guide and lead us on this issue——