Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

He felt very comfortable in it. I told him that as long as he did not move in next door to myself he was very welcome. It was a wonderful experience and I was amazed at the number of ordinary people who came up to me and said they had never been inside the gates of Leinster House. They are very appreciative of the great work we are doing. The media should be invited to the open days to hear the views expressed by the public, the ordinary, plain people of Ireland, the silent majority of Ireland and how they appreciate the great work being done on their behalf by politicians of all political parties. I congratulate everyone concerned. The theme of the open days was the 90th anniversary of the First Dáil. Perhaps next year Seanad Éireann can play its part and highlight the achievements of this House and its role in the scrutiny of legislation.

Senator Feargal Quinn expressed his strong views on the great work of the Tidy Towns committees. He referred to the volunteers and the fact that the reward is small. I congratulate all the local authorities who gave small allocations of funds to the Tidy Towns committees to enable the purchase of lawn-mowers and other equipment. Most of us in this House were members of local authorities. The work of the Tidy Towns committees is to be commended from the highest level. I fully support the Senator's views about the efforts of the Tidy Towns committees to keep everywhere nice and clean and tidy.

Senator Burke asked for a debate on tourism and I will endeavour to have this debate take place. The hotel and restaurant industry and golf, are all in difficult times and under pressure. The services sector provides significant employment and anything the House can do to help it should be done.

Senator Mullen offered his congratulations to John Bowman and everyone associated with "Questions and Answers" and I wish to be associated with those congratulations. I never had the privilege or the honour of being invited to participate on the programme in all the years. It has been one of the most successful television programmes and I was proud of Senator Norris last night. He spoke splendidly and he looked magnificent. Senator Mullen and most colleagues on the Independent benches were the privileged ones as they were always the people who were invited, and they did not let the House down.