John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me this opportunity to speak. I support those colleagues who requested the Leader to amend the Order of Business to accommodate a debate on embryonic stem cell research and those who have requested a further debate on education. I hope he will be able to take on board those two requests to amend the business of the House.

I support other colleagues who raised the issue of public sector reform and commend Senator Harris in this respect. At least he has shown, to paraphrase that Green Party councillor who spoke yesterday, he has a bottom line in terms of support for the Government. It is a pity the Green Party does not appear to have the same. I was somewhat surprised by the appalling conversion of a number of Members on the Government benches in regard to the issue of benchmarking and that their support for its implementation in recent years seems to have evaporated. I join them in requesting a debate on public sector reform.

I would welcome the Leader's comment on a report, commissioned by Senator Coffey, on the terms and conditions of employment, namely the salaries of county and city managers and leading local authority officials across the country. Perhaps we could have a debate on this matter in the near future.

Will the Leader spell out when the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will come to the House for a discussion on the savage cutbacks proposed in the agriculture budget, which was announced as part of the budget by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Lenihan?