Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

-----accept accountability. The matter needs a long and thorough debate in this House. I ask the Deputy Leader to facilitate the debate without division as a first step to an acceptance by this House that all was not well in the state of Denmark, and that a change is needed.

I ask the Deputy Leader to arrange a debate on professional fees being charged in this country. The mantra among economists and politicians is that we must become cost effective and a low cost economy. I understand there is anecdotal evidence of a decline in the price of clothes and certain commodities but I have solid evidence that there is no decline in lawyers' fees, doctors' fees, architects' fees and a range of other professional fees. We cannot run a Stalinist state but Government still has a role in price control and in interfacing with professional bodies. The professional bodies must control their own houses but Government has a role in the consumer price area. I ask the Deputy Leader for a debate on professional fees as a step towards becoming a low cost economy.