John Ellis (Fianna Fail)

I echo the sentiments of other Senators with regard to the proposed action next Monday, which is totally unnecessary. More deliberation and consultation would lead to a much better result. The proposed action on Monday is an attempt to force the Government's hand prior to the budget which will be introduced in the following week. If we are to have fairness, cuts must be introduced across the board and no sector should suffer more than others. We all accept that higher income earners are able to take more punishment and will probably have to pay more taxes. The view among some people that everyone but themselves should be hurt in this process is wrong. While I accept it will not be easy, everybody will have to take some pain.

I pay tribute to the phenomenal sporting achievements of Irish sportspersons at the weekend. The Sunday newspapers carried significant coverage from Cardiff and some covered Saturday night's boxing match in the O2 . I am annoyed by the difference in the prices charged for newspapers north and south of the Border. In one case at the weekend, the price of the same newspaper was 200% higher in the South. This issue should be taken up by the National Consumer Agency. It is unfair and wrong that one is charged €1.80 for the Irish Independent in the South when it is available for £1 in the North. The argument made about the difference in VAT and so forth does not hold because a 6.5% difference in the VAT rates North and South does not justify the additional charges imposed on people in the South. If newspapers reduced their prices, they could increase their sales which have, I understand, declined dramatically in the South, both in the daily and the Sunday markets.