Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

Whatever needs to be done should be done. The Government made a decision in September 2004. I have a motion on the Order Paper for some time that has not made the floor of the House which states that this decision should be implemented. It would bring a senior counsel to a rate of €969 per day and €650 per day for a junior counsel, which are very good rates for four hours in a court. If we are seen to be fair and honest in our attempt to tackle the serious challenges in this country, we will have a level of support and acceptance that might well surprise us. I agree with Senator Harris, Senator Bradford and others who have said that the people are aware of the serious nature of our difficulties. Provided that the measures being taken are done in an even-handed, fair and considerate way, people will buy into the changes we make to ensure the country is able to embark on a path of growth in the very near future.