Dan Boyle (Green Party)

If the Government is to effect savings in this area and ensure both bodies can operate properly, they must be located near each other if they are to share such secretariat facilities. It should be put to the Minister to consider whether that is possible and whether it would effect other savings at the same time.

Senator Keaveney raised the question of the white fish fleet restrictions in the north west. We had a debate on fishing yesterday. The Senator made the point that this was a European Commission proposal that arose subsequent to our debate. Her concern will be passed on to the Ministers.

Senator Coghlan raised the issue of increasing debt levels and the possible need for corrective actions. The Government is not shy of corrective actions, as we have seen already this year. We had a series of Estimate adjustments prior to the introduction of the budget in October. If the global economic situation deteriorates further and if the assessment of what the retraction in growth is likely to be demands it, corrective measures will have to be taken. It is a responsible role of Government to do that. However, the Government's figures are that the economy will retract by 1.5% in 2008 and by a further 0.75% in 2009. As of now, the figures seem to be on track, with the hope for a recovery in the economy by 2010.

Senator Bacik asked about the climate protection Bill, which is due to be taken in the next session. That is predicated on the effect of the early negotiations towards a replacement for the Kyoto protocol, which will take place in the first instance in Poznan in Poland early in the year and will be followed by a subsequent meeting in Copenhagen. Once we have a clearer idea of what is happening internationally, it is our intention to return to the Bill. The promise to use Government time will be met in the context of the Minister reserving to himself the right to introduce a Bill if he feels he can do so.