Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

We should have an ongoing debate on the economy, society and the enormous changes that have taken place in work. Will the work of the future be done on a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. basis? We should consider the work ethic. All that is very important when we are facing cutbacks or tax increases. The discussion must centre on society in general. It would be a golden opportunity to have a debate on how people work today, what they think of work and whether it should be done on a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. basis or from the home. Those are all areas that will have an influence on the budget cutbacks.

I commend the multi-agency group that worked towards the massive seizure of illegal cigarettes. It appears to be the biggest such haul in the history of the State. I congratulate everyone involved, in particular the Customs and Excise and the Garda backup. It is an example of the importance of working with international agencies. If ever there was a reason we needed to pass the Lisbon treaty, yesterday's seizure was an example of how we work together nationally and internationally. The job could not have been done otherwise. The criminals do not acknowledge national borders. We could not do the work alone. I compliment everyone involved in that massive haul. I hope it will lead to many more.

The main issue to which I referred is the economy and how best we can get the country back up and running. It is very important that we have such a debate in this House.