Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I would welcome a debate on the role of the Construction Industry Federation, CIF. Senator Butler had some cheek defending it this morning given the fact that it gobbled up profits for years and colluded with the Government to leave us in this situation.

Like Senator Fitzgerald and others, I ask for a debate prior to the budget. Yesterday, the Governor of the Central Bank, Mr. John Hurley, stated that the economy might shrink by 6%. The National Economic and Social Council, NESC, the Government's think tank, stated that we must reduce prices by 20% if we are to restore our competitiveness. In light of these facts, it is important that the House play a central role in the discussion on the budget's formulation.

In light of the trips made for St. Patrick's Day by Ministers, which I support in principle, I seek a series of post-event debates in which the Taoiseach and Ministers are invited to the House for a discussion and questions and answers session on how they got on abroad, what they achieved and how best they sold Ireland.