Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I agree with Senator Bradford. We need to move politics to a new age, given the difficulties the country now faces, and we need to have co-operation. We must forget about the politics of the past, when the nod and the wink moved the line forward. We must consider co-operation. I welcome Senator Bradford's comments in regard to having that co-operation in the lead-up to the budget and thereafter next year, given the current fiscal difficulties the country is facing. The world would look at Ireland as being a better place if this were the case because we are being portrayed in a negative manner by some of the world's media, which is having a negative effect on the world markets and affects our borrowing capacity and the cost we are paying for that borrowing. We must be responsible as public representatives in articulating views and in co-operating with each other on both sides of the House. I hope we can set the example here in the Seanad and perhaps the other House would follow.

On a second issue, I agree with Senator Hanafin that we have to draw a line in the sand with regard to today's figures. However, we can only draw that line in the sand if those who created the problem within the banks are punished. They have to be punished and they have to pay the ultimate price, whatever that price may be, and people in higher echelons will decide what that price may be. Ordinary people out there trying to pay their mortgages or rent deserve to be assured that those people are punished for the wrong they demonstrated and inflicted on the Irish people.

Finally, I wish to refer to the issue of the Department of Transport's awarding of the PSO to the regional airports. It is of vital importance that the PSO is protected in any budget and in any upcoming reorganisation of the regional airports. I come from County Donegal, where there is no rail access and where road access is not brilliant, although improvements are underway and are planned by the Northern authorities in conjunction with the Minister here. I ask that we have a discussion on transport, discuss the regional airports and also have a discussion with the Minister on ensuring the development of the road to Donegal proceeds, given the negative press it is receiving from elements in the North at present.