John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I agree with the Senators who spoke about cross-party support for the budget. I do so, not just in the light of today, but in taking the long view. I was pleased to see the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin, indicate on "Prime Time" that if Fianna Fáil were to go into Opposition, it would support the Government of the day if it were to implement the four year plan. We have taken the first and necessary steps on that road. Those Senators who are looking at cross-party support are looking at doing business in a proper manner for the benefit of this nation. We did the same for the North of Ireland, which was the most intractable problem. It was much more difficult and much more serious than our current economic problems, yet we achieved results.

I commend the €250,000 limit on public funds and salaries. Some people are on salaries that look like telephone numbers to rest of us, and it just does not make sense that public funds would be expended in that manner. Some €250,000 is still a significant sum.

There have been many calls for reform of the Seanad and there have been many knee jerk reactions on getting rid of the Seanad without properly thinking what the Seanad does, how many separate times it has implemented legislation, and how many times it has amended legislation. I think about 1,200 amendments are made per term. If we amend legislation 1,200 times, that is because it needs to be amended 1,200 times. Unless the Dáil is going to sit night and day to ensure that no legislation gets through that is not correct, we need a second Chamber.