The Senator also mentioned the interest on the State's debt, which is significant. Some €7.5 billion in interest was repaid on our debt in the past year. The Government is placing emphasis on the need for balanced budgets in order that we might achieve a surplus and thereby increase our level of investment in child care and many other worthy areas.

Senators Brennan and Heffernan referred to the Garda investigation into the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. Both indicated that the case remains open and urged members of the public to provide information to the Garda. There is no doubt that many people have information relating to this matter and are not giving it to the Garda. Senator Heffernan also referred to the murder of Paul Quinn, in which several individuals were involved.

The same people.

As the Senator indicated, those people have no respect for either law and order or the lives of others. It is of paramount importance that people should stand up to intimidation that is obviously occurring in the part of the country to which Senators Brennan and Heffernan refer and throughout the Border counties in general. As a mark of respect to Garda Adrian Donohoe and Paul Quinn, it would be appropriate if citizens provided any information they may possess to the Garda in order that the monsters who perpetrated their murders might be brought to justice.

Senator Conway referred to the retention of protected structures. Yesterday, the Senator suggested that such structures should be knocked down.