Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

That never happened previously and so will not happen again.

Senator Leyden referred to the boundary commission and while it certainly will be a cause of joy for some, it undoubtedly will create challenges for many others. In respect of European Union proposals, as I stated previously I am fully in favour of having a debate on European issues and directives in this House. Only yesterday did I get some backup in regard to being able to present to the House some issues that would come up and I will do so, as soon as I have word. I have had no response from the people I met several months ago and am reactivating the matter with a view to having such debates in the House.

I assure Senator Byrne there is no battling between any Ministers, in any regard. The Government is working as a cohesive unit in the interests of the country. If the Senator wishes to discuss advisers' pay, a matter I have spoken about previously, the Government introduced a number of changes immediately after coming into office to reduce the costs of the political system of the State. Specifically, the Government halved the cost of ministerial transport by reducing Garda involvement and abolished State cars except for the President, Taoiseach, Tánaiste and the Minister for Justice and Equality, for security reasons.