Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Senator Craughwell to Leinster House. JFK used a quotation from Lord Edward Fitzgerald that: "Leinster House does not inspire the brightest ideas". That is wrong. It will inspire the brightest ideas and I hope he will enjoy and learn from it as much as I have.

I commend to him our Leader and Deputy Leader, whom he will find most interesting and satisfactory to work with, as well as the Cathaoirleach and the Leas-Chathaoirleach, who run this House extremely well. The officers and staff of these Houses are some of the nicest people he could meet. Senator Craughwell is very welcome aboard.

It appears that the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, will be announcing soon tax relief on the water tax to be made through the income tax code. This is necessary. It was first suggested by Senator Crown. We have been paying for water through income tax.