Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

Much that depends on public private partnerships is now in doubt and I strongly support the comments of my colleague Senator Fitzgerald on the subject. I also support the comments of Senator Norris on the future of the Abbey Theatre. In September 2006, the then Minister, Deputy John O'Donoghue, announced the Government's approval for a design competition for the theatre. The original brief on the theatre dates from 2002, but I understand it is still being revised. It is now mid-2008 and we are still in the dark about the future of our national theatre and its proposed location despite the fact that some €138 million was earmarked for the project in the national development plan. I support all the calls for debate on the issue and on public private partnerships. There is much this House could contribute to any review the Government is conducting on the issue.

I supported Senator Ross previously on his comments on bad practices and unsavoury doings of a section of corporate Ireland. Will the Leader arrange for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to come to the House to discuss the relevant provisions of the Companies Acts? It would appear to lay people that the unanimous decision of the Supreme Court's five judges is being flouted by that section of corporate Ireland.