Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

The Leader has ordered the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) (Amendment) Bill 2008 from 3.15 p.m. to 5 p.m. Is it his intention to roll over this debate on the basis that he told us the week before last that there were so many speakers, it could not be dealt with that day? What is his intention in regard to Second Stage today?

The Government is now prepared to make more focused forecasts and sharpen the range of figures available to the Opposition in regard to the budgetary situation and the four year plan. We all appreciate we must close the gap between what we spend and take in. When that information is made available, it would be helpful if this House could debate the economy. We must be calm and dispassionate. This House is perhaps more capable of being reflective and it could maybe minimise the differences. We all know what we must achieve but how we do so is the difficulty. It would be helpful if we could have such a debate when the information is made available.