John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I echo the sentiments expressed by many of the previous speakers and Senator Mullen put the matter very well. There is a paradox as regards the thousands who face enormous levels of personal debt - that is the great difference between what is happening in the current recession and what happened in the 1980s - and the figures expounded by Senator O'Toole and others which indicate that there is more than €100 billion in savings. The task of matching the two will be very difficult. The Government has a great responsibility in that regard, but perhaps we will have an opportunity to start the discussion tomorrow.

Will the Leader specifically tell the House what the position is on the reform of local government promised by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, a couple of years ago when he said he would introduce new legislation?