Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, Norris, Prendergast, Walsh, Healy Eames, Daly, Mullen, Hanafin, Quinn, Callely, Coghlan, Regan, Glynn, Buttimer, MacSharry and Ormonde expressed their views on the budget and matters relating thereto. I wish the Government, particularly the Minister for Finance, which invested a great deal of time and effort in framing the budget, well. Let us hope the budget represents the commencement of the country's recovery. The Taoiseach indicated that it will be the beginning of a five-year process. Everyone is aware of the challenge facing the world. Ireland has always responded magnificently when placed under serious pressure.

People are very much looking forward to playing their part. I have never met so many individuals, regardless of the difficulties they face, who want to contribute. It must be remembered that almost 89% of the working population is in employment. That is almost 750,000 more people than were at work during the dark period from 1983 to 1987. The level of preparation for the budget has been exceptional and top quality expertise has been sought from every quarter. The Taoiseach and the Government have informed the people of the nature of the difficulties that exist and indicated the seriousness with which they treat the crisis. I look forward to the Seanad debate on the budget, which will commence at 10 a.m. on Thursday next.

I wish to comment on the plight of those with cystic fibrosis, which is a terrible disease and which was highlighted by Orla Tinsley, that brilliant young lady who appeared on "The Late Late Show" on Friday last and on "Morning Ireland" today. She is doing much to capture the imagination of Ireland. As Senator Quinn stated, the symptoms relating to this disease may date back to the Great Famine. The Minister will come before the House at 1.30 p.m. to discuss another matter and I do not doubt that leaders and spokespersons on health will avail of the ten minutes that have been set aside for questions and answers at the end of the debate to make their views known.

I congratulate the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, for whom I have always had the highest regard, who began her career in the Seanad——