For 40 years.

-----for up to 40 years before he became a success and what a success he was. He had his own television programme on the BBC. He was a former and very proud past pupil of the school I attended, De La Salle College in Waterford. I express my condolences and good wishes to his family and sympathise with them at this sad time. He was certainly a great ambassador for his city and the country.

Senator Colm Burke raised the issue of the reform of the social welfare system and referred to the challenges that would face us in the future. There is no doubt that we will face many challenges. On lone-parent payments, I understand the vast majority have come through today and that where there is a difficulty, it will be attended to as a matter of urgency.