Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I would be happy to second Senator Walsh's amendment to the Order of Business. I do not need to elaborate on the issue because my views on it are well known.

I also support the Senator's remarks on job creation. If struggling companies managed to work out an arrangement with lenders that allows them to survive in these difficult economic times, it would be strange if the Revenue Commissioners played by the book rather than help to preserve jobs with a view to guaranteeing the payment of what they are owed in the future. It is important that State agencies do not act in a penny wise, pound foolish manner. I would welcome an opportunity to discuss this issue with the Minister for Finance.

On the subject of short-sighted thinking, I hovered between respect for Deputy Penrose's decision to resign his ministerial post and fear that if everybody did likewise we would be stuck with parish pump thinking and insufficient reflection on the national interest. As somebody who contributed to the debate about the closure of Army barracks, I side with Deputy Penrose because I question the level of savings made possible by the decision. Given that personnel are not going to lose their jobs and that the property market remains depressed, I wonder whether substantial savings can be made. During the debate I spoke about the importance of social capital and the contribution these barracks make to the towns in which they are located. Members of the Defence Forces have been involved in a wide range of voluntary activities. We should balance the range of issues in our minds because if we take a slash and burn approach we may not save money in the longer term. I ask the Leader to take that message to the Government.