I pay tribute to our leader, the Tánaiste, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, on how decisively he acted as a result of the disastrous election results we faced. Sometimes the players take the brunt of people's anger, which happened with our county councillors. On this occasion, the manager is the casualty. It is a shame it had to come to this but I pay tribute to him.

The Senator could be supportive of him.

Following on from Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell's contribution, the reason for the anti-Government sentiment is purely because of what is perceived as a disconnect between the Government and ordinary people in rural Ireland and in cities. When we went into government, people were willing to pay so much to address the finances of the country, but I do not think they have the capacity to pay for everything. I do not think we can ask ordinary people to pay completely the bills for bad banking and so on.

I congratulate Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan on an extraordinary result in the elections for the European Parliament.

Has the Senator gone independent again? Is he leaving the Labour Party altogether?

In respect of the disconnection that I have mentioned, I have seen Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan speak in the Dáil on numerous occasions. On one occasion he explained how dirty and undrinkable the water in Roscommon is. I saw Ministers looking down their noses at him, sneering at him. There were other such incidents.

Is the Senator calling for a debate on Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan?

These Ministers were not sneering at Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan. They were sneering at the people of Roscommon and south Leitrim and in many other counties. That is why Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan was elected to the European Parliament. As an elected Member of the Dáil he was not treated with any respect.

What has this got to do with the Order of Business?

I would not suggest for one moment that he was not most respectful himself. There has been such a disconnection at a senior level that these things happen in government.