Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Members should listen to the Order of Business and they would know the position regarding the debate.

What can I say in response to Senator Leyden? Fianna Fáil took the shirts off people's backs and bankrupted the country. There is not much more to add.

Senator O'Keeffe asked for a debate on the establishment of an energy efficiency fund. Perhaps we will do so in the new year.

Senator Mooney urged people to support Irish produce, particularly milk. I also note the point made by Senator Quinn on that matter.

I acknowledge Senator Mooney's comments on the issue of respecting the Chair. It is important that Members read Standing Orders and understand their duties. When the Chair stands, Members should sit. I never witnessed this previously. It has only crept in in recent times. No matter how exercised or excited a Member was in the past, he or she sat down and respected the Chair. I hope that will be the practice in the House in the future.

Senator Hayden welcomed the fact that rent supplement was not affected and raised the issue of the funding of local authorities. On Tuesday, I outlined the date on which the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will be in the House in January to discuss this.

Senator Wilson raised the issue of the policing plan. The Minister for Justice and Equality has been in the House more regularly than any other Minister. He was here last night and he will be present again next week. With regard to Garda transport, hundreds of new cars have been ordered, as I outlined a few weeks ago, to replace those that are not up to scratch.