David Norris (Independent)

I welcome the fact that the Government is taking initiative. It has got at least one element right, and that is research and development. It should be kept here. I have spoken in this House on several occasions over the years about situations where brilliant, innovative and imaginative work done by Irish people was repatriated to the United States along with the profits of that work. We must make sure we get a fair crack of the whip when it comes to our own creativity.

It is not right that this House should be sidelined, which is an increasing feature of the political system. It is a pity. We should not be pussyfooting around the issue of the wage agreement. The reality is that there must be an immediate wage freeze. None of us should get an extra cent while people all around us are losing their jobs. There must be solidarity in this.

In regard to the fishing industry, I am delighted that Members on both sides of the House have sought to give support to our Ministers in Brussels. We should not always touch the forelock to Europe. If one quantifies what other members have received from us in terms of our fish stocks, it more than matches the sum of every single cent we have received from Brussels in grants.