Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

When Senator Harris speaks, he speaks with conviction, but, unfortunately, there is not the same strong conviction in the comments of other Government supporters in speaking against the Croke Park agreement. I agree there is a need for serious discussion of a number of issues in the House. The reconfiguration programme for hospitals has caused fear and mayhem in hospitals outside the greater Dublin area. Those involved in small and medium-sized enterprises are also being hammered. I do not mean "hammered" in the way it might be used by some Fianna Fáil Members, but such businesses are being hammered. There is a need for serious and urgent debate on these issues in order that we can face up to the problems in society. While I may be humorous when mentioning these problems, they are serious.