Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I support Senator Mullen in his call for an immediate debate on the Cloyne report. It should take place before the recess and not next term. There is a need for moderate, considered and cool discussion on this point. Like Senator Coghlan, I listened to the archbishop and the Taoiseach yesterday. A great deal of discussion must take place and it should happen now, not in a few months time. There is a danger that, being so incensed at what we read in the report, we might not make the right decisions. This is exactly what the Seanad should do and, if we are going to earn our livelihood and our survival, this is a topic we should debate now.

Regarding the matter raised by Senator Mary White, for those of us who know them very well, our hearts go out to the suppliers to Superquinn. They are in serious trouble because they are not being paid. I want to correct a point made by a Senator yesterday that received some publicity in the newspaper. The owners of the company I left six years ago, who wrote cheques last Friday, were not aware at that stage that a receiver would be appointed. I received a phone call at 11 a.m on Monday saying there was a danger of a receiver being appointed on Monday night. They only learned about it on Monday morning. I want to correct the point about sharp practice that was carried in the newspapers arising from comments here yesterday. There was no sharp practice and when they wrote cheques, they had no idea a receiver would be appointed. That was against the wishes of everyone at that stage.

We will not have time to debate the economy between now and the end of the session. Two years ago, I spent a weekend in Tallinn, Estonia. The story of Estonia is fascinating. It has received an A+ rating from Fitch Ratings agency, having been at the bottom a number of years ago. It is doing well because of the steps the country is taking. They are accepting the austerity and, instead of raising taxes to balance that, they have reduced taxes. It is worthwhile studying Estonia to see what they have done and how they have achieved so much. Unemployment rates have reduced, growth is rocketing and there is a budget surplus. It all happened within a short period of time and we can do the same here if we recognise that this matter is in our own hands rather than relying on someone else. We hope an arrangement will be made at European level in regard to finance and we hope it will benefit us. However, the answer to what will take place in this country is in our hands. We can do it and it has been shown by Estonia. Let us learn from a country even smaller than ourselves.