Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I welcome the decision to reintroduce pork. As Senator Quinn stated, it is important that we show confidence not just in Ireland but abroad. Therefore, the Government and Bord Bia have an obligation to market pork aggressively and to show leadership.

It appears that three Ministers are fugitives from this Chamber. Will the Leader arrange a debate on unemployment? The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has been absent from any such debate in this House. Given the record levels of unemployment, why has she not attended the House? The Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, refused to attend this House following my request on a number of occasions to discuss the separation of Cork and Dublin airports. Yesterday and today's newspapers carry reports to the effect that the Minister is to abandon that plan. Why has he not attended the House?

Eight weeks have passed since budget day. The Minister for Education and Science presided over cuts in respect of the most vulnerable people. Applied leaving certificate, Youthreach and learning support programmes are being cut. What does it tell us about the value the Government places on education when those who are in need of education and support are being deprived of them? Why has the Minister for Education and Science not come before the House to answer questions from Senators on this side?

The budget was introduced eight weeks ago and the three Ministers to whom I refer have failed to come before the House in the interim. The Leader should be held personally accountable for their failure to appear in the Seanad. The three issues to which I refer affect all sectors of society. More importantly, however, that which relates to the workers at Cork Airport is of fundamental importance to the people of Cork and the economic well-being of the entire region.