Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I add my voice to the calls for a debate embryonic stem cell research. I was disappointed to discover that the board of governors of UCC took a vote on this issue yesterday. It is a very sensitive issue and I am concerned the board of governors has taken action in what is essentially a legal vacuum. It has gone on a solo run on an issue which is very sensitive and which could be very controversial for this country.

I support the calls for a debate on this issue. Will the Leader facilitate it at the earliest possible opportunity? As parliamentarians, we must face up to this issue. We need proper legislation governing this area. We cannot have universities going off independently and on solo runs in this very sensitive area.

I wish to speak about a sector which has been spoken about very little since the budget, namely, agriculture. That sector is suffering serious cuts across the board. However, one of the main casualties of the budget are the young farmers who are about to enter the sector and who will keep agriculture alive. The slashing of the farm installation grant and the early retirement scheme in the budget will have wide implications in rural Ireland. I am sure Members on all sides would agree with, and be concerned about, that. There are no incentives for young farmers to go back to the land. Farmers who had worked on constructions sites are now leaving those sites owing to a lack of work, are looking to go back to the land and need support. Will the Leader arrange a debate on this issue as soon as possible?

Some Members have spoken about benchmarking and public sector reform. I issued a report only yesterday on the salaries and bonus schemes of the managers and the directors of services of local authorities. Salaries range from €100,000 to €200,000 per annum plus bonuses and expenses. I have no problem with somebody being well paid but with the 7% cut in the local government fund, frontline services will be the first to take a hit. I support the call by Senator Harris and others for a debate on public sector reform and salaries. The issue must be addressed now before it gets completely out of control and our economy goes down the tubes.