Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senator Dearey mentioned the 200 new jobs in Dundalk. I congratulate the Ministers for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Justice, Equality and Law Reform in this regard. Having a Minister at the Cabinet table makes a major difference to a town. I know what was done for Athlone by my own colleague. We have seen what happened from time to time throughout the country. I congratulate Deputy Dermot Ahern. Like Senator Dearey, I support the local authority, the IDA and Enterprise Ireland. A European head office is a boon for an Irish town such as Dundalk. We congratulate everyone concerned in making this happen. I join Senator Dearey in that. We are in the same constituency.

Senator O'Reilly referred to the groceries order, the prices being paid to farmers and the prices the consumer must pay. I very much agree with him in this regard. It is about time the groceries order was revisited, perhaps by the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The Senator might influence his colleague, Senator Coghlan, who is on that committee, in order that this could happen at the earliest possible opportunity.

Senator Carty called for a debate on the Common Agricultural Policy. This would be a very timely debate and at the appropriate time in the very near future I intend to allow an all day debate on the challenges facing the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and everyone involved in agriculture, on the Common Agricultural Policy, what it has done for our country and for our farmers and on where we are going in the next ten to 15 years in this area. I thank Senator Carty for bringing it to the House's attention.

Senator Mullen has serious concerns about head shops, as have all colleagues in the House. I understand the legislation is at a very advanced stage and will be in the House in the next few weeks. Senator Coffey asked if the report on higher education would be published soon. I will make inquiries into that. He also called for a debate on developing the green economy, which would be very worthwhile. A forum like the Seanad could really tease out this issue. There is potential for a large number of jobs in this area in future. Senator Ó Brolcháin brought this issue to our attention in recent weeks and I have no difficulty allowing a long period of time for us to discuss this issue with the Minister.

Senator Regan referred to the judgment in the Special Criminal Court yesterday in regard to the Omagh bombing. The Minister will be in the House next Tuesday and we should do anything we can as legislators, as Senator Regan correctly pointed out.