Dan Boyle (Green Party)

I welcome Senator Hannigan's acknowledgement of the most recent Exchequer returns which show that taxation receipts for this year are on target, public expenditure is being controlled and the deficit is reducing for the first time in a long time. It is probably more a triumph of better forecasting in a section which had a very bad record in the past, but we should acknowledge that it is a small sign of achievement. It should be borne in mind when we hold a debate on the external factors that might impede our further progress.

I agree with Senator O'Toole that we must have a debate both before and after the vote on the Croke Park agreement. We must also stress the importance of achieving agreement on it. I acknowledge the contributions of Members on the other side of the House who have called for support for the agreement. It would be reprehensible in the extreme if anyone sought to make political capital from the uncertainty and to foster that uncertainty in a way that would hinder our future economic progress.

With regard to calls for a debate on Seanad reform——