Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

The Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Deputy Seán Haughey, attended last week when the Christian Brothers order transferred its land banks throughout the country to an independent trust. It would be remiss of us in these Houses if we allowed that go without commenting on, and giving due credit to, the Irish Christian Brothers for the contribution they have made to Ireland over the past 150 years. Generations of young Irish boys would never have got an education but for the selfless service of many people of that order. I would like the House to join me in complimenting them on that and to see that this initiative will continue in a different way the contribution that they made previously to society.

I support the call by Senator Fitzgerald for a debate on the economy, not today but before the summer recess. Undoubtedly, there is a need for the Members to have an opportunity to discuss this important issue. There is also a real danger. There are people around, many of whom are in the media, who almost wished we had a recession in order that they would have something negative about which to write.