Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support the comments made by Senators Ó Murchú and Mooney on the messages that have come from Europe on abortion. Let me remind Senators what happened in Britain. The Conservative Party in Britain discovered that a very large number of people were unhappy with the instructions from Europe and a referendum will be held to see if the country can temper such instructions. It is quite fair that we have been independent for almost 100 years and, therefore, make our own decisions. It is logical that views coming from Britain do not interfere with our decisions. The subject is worthy of debate. Senators Mooney and Ó Murchú clearly explained their opinions on the matter and I support their views but that does not mean we should not have a debate. The subject is worthy of a debate.

I also support Senator Noone's comments on the withdrawal of the 1 cent and 2 cent coins. The Central Bank asked me to travel to Wexford to act as an ambassador in an experiment where the coinage was withdrawn and this happened about a year ago. The experiment proved very successful. Instead of either rounding up or down a price both were done in order to get rid of the 1 cent and 2 cent coins. It does not make sense to have such coins but it makes a great deal of sense to have the 5 cent coin as the lowest unit.

Finland and the Netherlands never introduced the 1 cent and 2 cent coins and instead their lowest coin was 5 cent when they commenced using the euro. Such a move makes sense. The prices are still the same as they ever were. Whether a price ends with 96 cent, 97 cent, 98 cent or 99 cent, a price is rounded to the nearest 5 cent coin. There was no upping of prices. There were no criticism levelled that the initiative was used in such a manner. It is on that basis that we should support Senator Noone's call to abolish the 1 cent and 2 cent coins.The expense involved is outrageous. In fact, these coins cost far more to produce than others, but they are not used more than once or twice before they disappear out of sight. The Government should move on this issue. The experiment was conducted a year ago and received the support of the people of Wexford. A broader initiative is worthy of support.