Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

In light of the speculation on the boundary reviews, I note with interest that many Senators from the west are not present in the House. I wonder if they are meeting on the roads to Ballinrobe, Ballymoe, Williamstown and similar places on which current speculation centres. Senator Averil Power from my party is raising an issue about north County Dublin. Everyone is making way for the various eventualities.

I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by the leader of my party, Senator Darragh O'Brien, on the Lagan Brick dispute, which is now six months old. Although it commenced on the same day as the Vita Cortex dispute, it has not received anything like the same publicity as the latter. The affected workers, who are from counties Meath, Cavan and Monaghan, are suffering and have been badly treated. The discussion of the Competition (Amendment) Bill is an opportune moment for the Minister to outline to the House the Government's response to the dispute and the hardship Lagan Brick workers are suffering. This is important because the men in question - the group is primarily made up of men - have not received the support they require from various arms of the State. I have raised the matter on the Adjournment and my colleague, Deputy Brendan Smith, has raised it in the other House and the response in both cases has been less than satisfactory. The House must discuss this dispute as it has gone on for too long.

I call to mind the workers in Panda Waste in County Meath where a major fire broke out last night. I understand people living near the facility have been affected by smoke, although it seems no one was injured. Conscious that the company is a major employer in the area, I hope things will go well for it in the period ahead.