Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I commend Senator Conway on his comments on how the Minister for Health should try to bring some degree of control to spending within his Department. Senator Conway has raised some of the difficult but fundamental questions that need to be addressed. I also agree with him with regard to his aspiration that the budgetary process and debate will be more open and commence earlier. This is something members of the Fine Gael Party have advocated over the past number of years. It would be useful, particularly at a time of economic distress, to have a long run-in and lengthy opportunity to debate the spending and taxation options.

I join with my colleagues in commending the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Government with regard to the decision to launch the public inquiry into the Fr. Reynolds matter and the situation at RTE. In that regard, I hope we will have some time over the next few months to have a debate on the topic of tolerance. One of the issues touched on by Senator Michael Mullins and others, is the question of the possible intolerance which now applies to people of religious faith in this country. The issue of tolerance and how society is becoming more intolerant and negative towards religion and the hundreds of thousands of people here who practise their religion regularly needs ventilation and debate. There are major issues now in education, the health service and across the political spectrum, where people of religious views are being challenged and we need a debate on tolerance and respect for religion in this State.