David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

First, I welcome the independent inquiry which has been established by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte. I remind the Leader that a number of weeks ago Senators from all political parties sought a debate on media standards in this country following what had happened in Britain in terms of the News of the World. Perhaps that is something that should be followed up here in this House. I hope over the next number of weeks the Leader will provide space for it.

I also, for the fifth time at this point, reiterate the call for the need to have a proper pre-budget debate. While reference was made to members of the Opposition shooting in the dark, are we shooting in the dark, for example, when the Minister for Finance has confirmed that VAT will increase by 2%, which will devastate many retailers in the country?