John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

While I am cognisant of fact that Archbishop Martin has spoken on church-run schools, I am very conscious of the fact that in the current climate it is not the best time to have a balanced and reasoned debate and this might even be a time to remind ourselves how in other countries people are flocking to faith-run institutions. In the fullness of time and in the clear light of day, the balance will be struck and it will be seen how much good has also been done in faith-run schools. It will be seen how necessary it is to keep them and how fortunate we are to have so many.

I wish to support my colleagues who have spoken about the pipeline from the Corrib gas field to north Mayo. This is a question of national sovereignty. The process has been completed, the planning procedure has been correctly performed, the planning requirements have been agreed to so why are people still attempting to stop a legally enforceable contract between the State and Shell? Why are people attempting to stop what is badly needed by the whole State which is our gas supply off the west coast? It has become quite apparent in recent weeks that there is the possibility not only of oil but the finding of oil indicates further gas deposits. We need this pipeline and when the laws of the State have been complied with, no individual group has the right to prevent it in any way it so chooses.

I ask the Leader to arrange a two-day debate at the earliest opportunity on how all the parties in this House intend to deal with the €20 billion deficit through cuts and taxation.