John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I would like to take the opportunity, which I missed during the previous sitting, to pay tribute to the Cathaoirleach and to the staff of the Seanad and the Oireachtas in general. On occasion, particularly in the morning, one hears the greeting, "Good morning, Senator", and this is uplifting when one is about to partake in public service during which one is expected to give of one's best and it also reminds one that one is an elected Member. It means a great deal to Members that the people who work here are of such a high calibre.

Looking forward, it is important for the Government to seriously examine our bankruptcy legislation. A young generation got involved in property believing that was the way forward for the entrepreneurial spirit and that is what society told them. These people could be locked in for many years unable to give society the benefit of their entrepreneurial flair. We have to fast-track those innocent young people who are willing and able to assist this nation to export and change direction out of the current financial troubles. We need to bring in new bankruptcy legislation to fast-track people out of bankruptcy so that they can use their entrepreneurial flair to benefit the nation again.

Having travelled around the country over the past four or five weeks and having met councillors, I notice the extra responsibility suggested by the programme for Government will mean they will work even harder. Therefore, is it not right that councillors are properly remunerated and paid at a rate that will allow them to claim their pensions when the time arises? Currently, their pay is not pensionable, but it should be.