John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

Senator O'Toole raised a very important point this morning that he would lend his support if the social partners need to make difficult decisions. I ask the Leader to arrange for a debate on the support of the social partners, particularly at this time. Difficult decisions will have to be made. The issue of Ministers going abroad for St. Patrick's Day has been mentioned. Those Ministers have wall-to-wall appointments that will be for the benefit of the nation. People do business not with ideas or concepts but with people who turn up on their doorsteps and talk to them. St. Patrick's Day has been of major benefit to this country. It is an international symbol of which we should be very proud.

I also support the very positive proposal of Senator Keaveney on an alcohol tax similar to that pertaining in Scotland. We need to raise funds, and the raising of capital from alcohol seems to be a virtuous cycle, particularly if it results in a decrease in deaths and the number of people who need to be treated in hospitals or treatment centres for alcohol abuse. Despite the fact that beer is practically given away in countries such as the Czech Republic and Germany when compared with our prices, Ireland still has the second highest level of alcohol consumption in the world. It would be of benefit, fiscally and in terms of public health, if we considered this matter.

I also ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the hedge funds that are thought to be betting against the Irish economy, to ensure that in the future contracts for difference are registered and reported to the Stock Exchange——