Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senator Hannigan also mentioned the "Prime Time" programme and I have already given my views on the IMF and NAMA. The Government is on the right road. Senator Twomey also highlighted issues and I again state that the commission looks after the affairs of the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Senator Quinn mentioned Aer Lingus and news that almost 670 staff are to be laid off there, which is to be regretted. It shows what is happening in the world of business. We are now approaching the winter schedule and everybody knows the downturn in traffic is plain to see. Retail business in Ireland generally is down 30% or 35% in some places. Aer Lingus will be no different to anybody else in the tourism and leisure industries, as airlines depend on the buoyancy in economies worldwide. I wish everybody in those industries well. Aer Lingus has been the flag carrier of our country and everybody has been very proud of its success through the years. It is a challenging time for the company and running short of cash and moving into reserves is a serious position to be in.

Now we are all going to live to be 80, we know the advantages of looking after ourselves. We have all been told that we are what we eat. Thank God we all have our health and are as good as we are.

Senator Quinn commented on having elections on Saturdays or Sundays. Elections now take place on Fridays and the counts take place on Saturday; years ago elections took place on Wednesdays, then they were moved to Thursdays and now they are on Fridays.