Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Crown for the interruption. The Senator knows well that I am on the same page as him when it comes to cigarettes. If we must have them in the country we should at least regulate how they are sold. I am supportive of Senator Crown's suggestion that we ban them from this country, but we live in the real world. The reality is that they are being sold illegally. If we could at least eradicate that it would be helpful.

I support Senator Quinn's call for a weekly or fortnightly debate on the budget between now and October. I believe that is crucial.

I draw the attention of the House to the fact that I will be launching the Strokestown International Poetry Festival in Roscommon this weekend. This is the 15th year of the festival, which is fully funded by the Arts Council. There will be a huge variety of Irish poets reading at the festival, which it is hoped will bring many people to the small town of Strokestown and create economic activity there.