Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator White made a good contribution during that debate as well. We will arrange that she will have other contributions on jobs and employment, seeing as the good news will continue in the next 12 months.

Senator Quinn raised the National Competitiveness Council's excellent report. I note his points on upward-only rent reviews. I am not sure whether the Attorney General can publish an opinion but I note his points on that. The report also mentioned that taxes are too high and we are being uncompetitive in that regard. In the recent budget the Government emphasised that taxes are too high and will come down. Workers will see the benefit of that in their pay packet, from January and after next year's budget.

Senator Keane raised violence against women and children, a point which Senator Ó Clochartaigh made also. Senator Ó Clochartaigh emphasised the need for more funding for support services in that regard. Senator Keane did so also in relation to the ChildFund Ireland and the need to keep this issue on the agenda. We all would agree with that.

Senator Keane also called for Sinn Féin to use the privilege of the Houses to name the alleged rapists and child abusers who have been sent to this jurisdiction by kangaroo courts in Northern Ireland or wherever. I would not advise Members to abuse privilege in any way, which is a point Senator Craughwell mentioned also.

Senator White raised the increase in the number of women drinking alcohol and the association between alcohol and breast cancer. That is something that needs to be highlighted here. We published a good public consultation report on cancer over a year ago and those points were highlighted by the experts in that area. There is a lack of information being disseminated, in particular, to women, as regards the abuse of alcohol.

Senator Michael Mullins raised the future of the post office network.

He called for a debate on that issue with the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White. I will certainly seek to do that. He highlighted the intransigence of An Post in regard to a specific post office in County Galway. I am sure Senator Michael Mullins and the community will increase the pressure on An Post to maintain that post office.

Senator Terry Leyden also raised the issue of below cost selling of alcohol. He did that very well as a publican.