No, I am not.

Senator Paul Gavan spoke about the elections in the North. I think he completely misrepresented the point I made yesterday. I understand that in the cauldron of election battles people take positions, but what I said yesterday was that language was important and that the contributions of certain Senators yesterday were very political and one sided. I have always taken the view that we must take an all-island approach to the North. It is about the people of the North having their say in who they should elect to the Stormont Assembly. The point I made was that I hoped people would not wrap a green, white or orange flag around them but that they would represent their communities and campaign in free and fair elections. I do not agree with the Senator's point that the Government is remiss. It is working to achieve continued implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and ensure the continuation of the stability and peace that have been brought to the North. We will work with all sides in that regard. I do not want to see people engage in a stereotypical debate. I have good time for the Senator, but I challenge him to look at the record of his party's members in pursuit of the LGBT agenda, in particular, to see what was achieved.

Senator Ray Butler referred to the rural development fund. He made a very important point about planning, parking charges and rates. I will be happy to have the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government come to the House for a debate on the issue.

Senators Aidan Davitt and Tim Lombard raised the issue of below-cost selling. As the Cathaoirleach rightly said, the Minister was ready to bring the alcohol Bill before the House. It is important that we all understand alcohol is a market driver. We should all unite on measures to see it being diluted because none of us can excuse the fact that per unit alcohol is now cheaper than water. Senator Tim Lombard is correct that it was the abolition of the groceries order that led to this happening.

I commend Senator Keith Swanick for introducing the Bill to highlight the importance of the date 21 January 1919. It was an historic day. At the risk of introducing a discordant note, I do not think it should be considered to be declaration of independence day because I do not think we are all independent yet. We have yet to achieve a 32 county Ireland, of which I am a very strong proponent. However, we should all support what the Senator is trying to do because that date in 1919 is a very important one for the country. Senator Frank Feighan also raised the matter.

Senator Michelle Mulherin raised the very topical issue of state aid rules. I will be happy to have the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport come to the House to discuss it. One of the points made at the briefing by IBEC this morning was about infrastructural investment, state aid rules and public private partnerships.

We must examine how we can address the deficits in infrastructure. In that regard, we will need to revisit state aid rules, the funding available from the European Investment Bank and public private partnerships.

Senator Paul Coghlan referred to tourism and, in particular, the findings of the RED C research mentioned in today's edition of The Irish Times which indicate that tourists from the United Kingdom will stay for shorter periods and spend less money. It is important to state the tourism sector has experienced huge growth in the past few years. This and the previous Government have probably been the most pro-tourism Governments we have ever had. It is important that those involved in the industry play their role, including in pricing. As stated by the Senator, prices must be attractive and competitive. Those of us who stay in hotels know that their rates and food prices have increased exponentially. We have all heard the stories told on various programmes about the cost of accommodation increasing when concerts and big games are announced. It is important that those involved in the tourism industry work with everybody else to ensure Ireland's product will remain competitive to attract overseas visitors. If I were a tourist and wanted to visit Ireland, I would be put off by the price of hotel accommodation in Dublin, for example. The Irish Hotels Federation and the tourism industry as a whole have a duty to work with the rest of us to ensure Ireland will remain competitive and attractive. The Government is willing to work them to achieve that end.

I welcome Mr. Adrian Hogan from Limerick who is in the Visitors Gallery. He has visited the local authorities in the 32 counties of Ireland and had his photograph taken with the mayors and cathaoirligh of many local authorities. I congratulate and thank him for the work he has done. I am sure the pictorial record which I understand will be incorporated into a book for publication will be a fitting legacy of his travels.