Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senator Mooney called for a debate on the state of the economy. I have no difficult in us having this when we come back.

I must say something on the announcement by the Minister, Deputy Dempsey, that he is retiring. As one of the three Fianna Fáil Oireachtas Members in the Meath West constituency, along with Deputy Johnny Brady, I have known Deputy Dempsey a long time. There was no more decent or hard-working public representative representing any constituency in the country than Deputy Dempsey for the people of Meath, and now Meath West.