The Taoiseach launched something today about a new proclamation. We would love if he stood by some of the people mentioned in the last proclamation.

This is not a history lesson.

He will send out Fine Gael Deputies to visit small business people, who can no longer be ignored or discriminated against. Together with Deputy Healy Rae, I sought a Topical Issue debate on post offices. They are all run by self-employed people. The Tánaiste, Deputy Burton, is telling people to go away from post offices but the Taoiseach is talking about protecting small businesses-----

What legislation?

-----and that it is going to be in the proclamation that small businesses must be supported. Are the Taoiseach and Tánaiste talking at all? Are they living on the same planet?

Sorry, Deputy-----

This is serious.

What legislation are you talking about?

The communications regulation (postal services) (amendment) Bill. I am asking for common sense legislation. The Taoiseach is talking about a new proclamation but he does not even understand the one he has. He is not on speaking terms with his Tánaiste and one hand does not know what the other is doing.

The Mattie McGrath Bill.

No, it is not. I have Bills but the Government ignores them. I had Bills on scrap metal and other issues but the Government never introduced them.

Empty claims.

Sit down, please.

Will the Taoiseach protect small businesses and rural post offices and all postmasters-----

The communications regulation (postal services) (amendment) Bill.

-----or is he confused and mixed up?

The Government has approved the legislation in respect of the postcode system, which will be introduced later this year.

Europe is not happy with it.

That does not have an impact on anyone's current address or townland or whatever. It gives a very accurate individual location, which is going to help gardaí, fire brigades, ambulances and all the other services that operate in rural and urban Ireland.

It might help the Taoiseach's canvassers when they are trying to find the people.

Deputy McGrath is a little off the mark in talking about a new proclamation.

I am just reading something the Government announced today.

The Deputy should not believe everything he reads in the newspapers.

What is involved is an exercise at school level. Primary and post-primary students will be able to reflect on the existing Proclamation-----

The Government might bring the voting age down to 14 for them.

-----and write a version for 2016 based on their values-----

The Taoiseach obviously got it out the wrong way today.

-----and their impressions of our country as it starts off a new century.

It is the Taoiseach's spin doctors who are confused so.

Why is the Tánaiste trying to close our post offices?

The Deputy has a vested interest.