Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

With respect, it is probably one of the most important amendments and perhaps the others will go a bit quicker. I cannot put a figure on jobs that are secure or insecure in the private sector. Most people working in the private sector are under smaller or greater degrees of pressure, with relatively few people not under some pressure. I have several children working in the private sector and they are all concerned about the current position, over and above any loss of remuneration they may suffer. That is fairly general.

Finally, and without responding to magic shamrocks, there was the e-mail about Home Rule. The point about our history is that we never had Home Rule and certainly not in this part of the country. Arguably, there was Home Rule in Northern Ireland. Strictly speaking, it is impossible to say whether it was or would have been a disaster, as what we have is independence. I remain proud of that independence and I am sure Senators are also proud of it. We have the ability to get through these difficulties. With regard to the idea that as a peripheral part of the United Kingdom we would be better off in current circumstances, I do not buy it for a single minute.