Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

Senator Fitzgerald was correct to draw the attention of the House to the latest report and analysis from Davy Stockbrokers, a reputable organisation. The content is frightening and it is clear the economic storm-clouds are gathering and that we did not exercise adequate prudence in recent years. The level of inflation and the extent of price increases is serious. There is frightening anecdotal evidence — which Senator Wilson, my colleague on the Government side of the House, may corroborate — in Border areas of people crossing into the North to such places as Enniskillen and buying food and other groceries for 25% less than here. That is scary and raises the question of price control in the country. It is also worrying.

I ask the Leader for a debate on this matter. The euro is strong relative to sterling at present and imports from the UK worth billions of euro are not leading to price reductions for Irish consumers. Prices are not reducing to reflect the change in currency values. The issue of price control is critical and keeping inflation down should be a critical plank of economic policy.

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the economy to discuss where cutbacks take place. There should be no cutbacks in frontline services, nor should they affect weaker people in such areas as home-help, class size and a range of other issues. We should make it an article of faith that the cutbacks are directed at the better off sectors of society and at tackling wastage in our economy. I ask the Leader for a debate on this issue.

I endorse the remarks of Senator O'Toole on transparency in the schools building programme. We are all frustrated with the system at present. There should be a clear system of readily accessible information. It would prevent a raft of public meetings and ridiculous activity throughout the country if people knew the position of their school.