I ask the Leader if we could have a debate on commercial rates. Today I met some contractors and tabled a Commencement matter which was taken by the Minister. I also met retailers whose businesses were being closed. One told me that when he visited the local authority to explain that he had a difficulty in finding money to pay rates but could keep his business open, he was told to close it. When one visits any village or town in rural Ireland, one will see retail space that has been closed. We have to find a way around this problem. From what I understand, there are solutions in Britain and Northern Ireland.

I thank the Cathaoirleach and others who sit in his seat for trying their damnedest at all times to give me speaking time. Yesterday we had a very important debate on the budget. I was in the Chamber in plenty of time and sat through many presentations by Members on both sides of the House but the clock ran out and I did not get to speak. Sadly, the Government side will never know how much I was going to praise the budget it produced yesterday, or perhaps criticise it on one or two small points, particularly the provisions for lone parents, the low-paid, etc. We have to find a way to give democratically elected Members who are not members of groups an opportunity to say whatever it is they want to say. It is something that has been a bugbear of mine for some time. I have always appreciated the way the Cathaoirleach has found a way to give me time to speak. Others who have taken the Chair from time to time have done the same, but when the clock runs out, that is it. We have to examine the matter.