Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I can convey Senator Norris's views to the taxi regulator. One's heart goes out to the person in the example offered by the Senator with regard to how difficult it is for taxi drivers in some areas to make a living. Some of them are struggling to survive. The Senator also made a strong case for sheep farmers. I heard the interview with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on RTE radio yesterday. He explained the case in detail. The Minister is a person who listens to the people all the time. He is very approachable from the point of view of Members of the Oireachtas and he knows the agriculture portfolio inside out and upside down. He has attentive advisers and he is the one Minister in whom I have 100% confidence to deal with the plight of the small farmer and people in the agriculture sector generally.

Senator Buttimer called for a debate on the unemployment figures. The Senator can include this issue in the debate on the economy next Friday.