Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I compliment Senator O'Toole on a masterful performance last Sunday night on "The Week in Politics". He was around in 1987. He has the enormous experience of addressing the need of the nation previously and someone like him, who is a distinguished Member of this House, gives people hope when he appears on such a popular show as "The Week in Politics".

On the issue raised by Senators O'Sullivan, Harris and MacSharry, I have already addressed that in regard to the role of the media. I agree with the Senators' call this afternoon.

Senators Brady and Hanafin called for a debate with the Minister for Finance present on the increase in rates. Any local authority that quotes the valuations of 2005 is not living in the real world. I will arrange to have an urgent debate here next week on the banks and other Department of Finance issues. As Senator Buttimer said, the most important issue currently is the sustainability of jobs. We must do everything we can to help those who are in employment at the present time and quoting a 2005 valuation is not living in the real world when the valuations of today are at least one third less than what they were in 2005. I hope Senator Brady's request to have the Minister present to make the case that has been made here earlier will be granted next week.

I will pass Senator Coghlan's views on to the Minister regarding the world heritage site where, unfortunately, the person died. I realise there is an urgent need-----