Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)

I was saddened, although that is not strong enough a word, to hear there is a worrying trend among retailers who are letting workers go without proper provision being made for them. I refer in particular to Game, the computer retailer which has its head offices in the UK but which has a certain number of retail outlets in Ireland, many in this constituency and in Dublin in general. It is rumoured, and is becoming increasingly clear, that PricewaterhouseCoopers has been appointed as administrators. I appeal to it to make sure the workers are properly taken care of. It seems a trend is developing which the Government needs to seriously address as it is ultimately the State and the taxpayer who pick up the tab. I ask the Leader to raise the matter with the appropriate Ministers.

I join with colleagues in welcoming the Mahon report. It is unfortunate it had to cost us so much money but I suppose that is all part of it. The corruption is appalling. I believe a debate is warranted and it should be a constructive one. As Senator Conway said, we need to think of ways forward for the political body and we need to make sure things change in a real way, not in a way that is just a facade. I would welcome such a debate.