The Members from Sligo, in particular, have raised the question-----

I ask the Leader to clarify the position on No. 2. When is the Minister to be called? Is it at 3.50 p.m. or 3.55 p.m?

At 3.50 p.m.

Senators Marc MacSharry, Susan O'Keeffe, Michael Comiskey and Imelda Henry who all happen to be from Sligo raised questions about Sligo County Council. We are all aware that it has a massive debt at this time. Of course, it is the elected members who have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority which include adopting an annual budget and authorising borrowing. They are democratically accountable for all expenditure by it. That said, I am sure the problems will be surmounted and that wise counsel among all parties will prevail. I understand the CEO is meeting the Minister today and hope wise counsel will be seen to prevail among all parties and that there will be a resolution. However, it must be pointed out that it is a reserved function of the members to deal with the budgetary process. That is something that is forgotten at times by members.

Senators Susan O'Keeffe, Terry Leyden, Martin Conway, John Kelly, Michael D'Arcy, Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, Jim Walsh, Michael Mullins and others referred to the report of the Garda Inspectorate. The report is very comprehensive and all Members need time to digest its contents. I will certainly endeavour to have a debate on it within a matter of weeks as it deserves the counsel of the House. I will try to have the Minister attend to discuss the matter at that point.

Senator Sean D. Barrett referred to the Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. I am sure he will raise the point he has raised on the Order of Business with the Minister during the debate. It was very valid.

Senator Michael Comiskey and others referred to the beef forum and wished it success today. The matter was also raised yesterday by a number of Members.

Senators Darragh O'Brien and Colm Burke raised a matter which was also raised yesterday by Senator Thomas Byrne and others in relation to the fair deal scheme, on which we will try to arrange a debate.

Senator Darragh O'Brien mentioned that there were approximately 30 gardaí in Swords to allow the Minister to gain access to attend an event. The protection of the institutions of the State and the elected representatives of the people is of paramount importance. It is a matter for An Garda Síochána to allocate resources for such an event, but the protection of a Minister or any Member of the Houses elected by the people is always a matter for the Garda and something it addresses well. Engaging in peaceful protest is a right, but we have seen - I do not allude to the situation in Swords - peaceful protests being infiltrated by small groups of dissident republicans and others who have attacked gardaí in many instances. This cannot be tolerated by anyone. We should be seen to protect and defend gardaí in instances such as this and I will do so at all times.

Senator Feargal Quinn referred to pensions in the private sector. We will have the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill in the House which the Minister will attend on 2, 4 and 9 December to deal with it. There have been other requests made this morning for her to attend to discuss other matters. We will try to have her attend on additional dates to discuss some of the issues mentioned. Members will realise she will be here for three days, but we will try to get her to fit discussion of additional matters into her very busy diary as both Tánaiste and Minister. I must disagree with Senator Feargal Quinn in that the Government recognises fully the self-employed and has adopted many measures in the current and previous budgets to help and assist them.

They have been hammered in every budget.