For once the intervention is good and I welcome it. Senator Conway-Walsh is right. To be fair to all public representatives, we know there is an issue with customer care in some parts and with some private telephone operators. They have a duty to work with people to ensure queries and concerns are met. I full agree with the Senator. If I was to telephone one of these companies and get through within 20 minutes, I would be doing well. God be with the old days when, if I pressed the button, I could get my money back. Now, I have to press the button to go further without even getting to speak to someone, which is rather disconcerting. I was on the telephone to Eir.

The Chair cannot welcome interventions. I am bound otherwise.

I am sorry.

I know of a frustrated person who was in the front room at home on a Monday morning - the same could apply to any morning or to a person of any age or description. The person had to wait 49 minutes to get hold of an operator to speak about an issue with a bill. That is only one example that I can quote from – it comes from an experience I have had personally. People can spend 90 minutes waiting to speak to an operator or customer service person. That is not good enough, given that we are investing millions of euro. The fundamental point is that the customer, in some cases, may not have the wherewithal to go through the various steps to get to talk to an agent. We must make it easier and simpler for people to engage rather than more difficult. The same applies to banking. A person now walks into personless banks to lodge funds.

It is the same with supermarkets.

It applies to supermarkets also. Not everyone uses online banking. Not everyone is proficient in the online world and it is important that companies take cognisance of this. We maintain we want to improve our quality of life as a society. However, half the stress that people have to endure derives, in some cases, from dealing with these faceless corporations.

I am disappointed with the remarks of Senator Higgins about the climate change statements last week. We need to ensure that we have statements on climate change. I would be happy to discuss the issues she raised regarding the Finance Bill as we go along.

Senator Lombard raised the important issue of the urban village renewal scheme. He made a request for the Minister of State to go to Bandon. I would be happy to take up that issue with the Minister of State for the Senator.

I remind the House that the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Ring, has announced and secured funding from Government for a variety of projects under the town and village renewal scheme. They will benefit towns.

I commend Senator Feighan on reaching out across the political divide and building bridges. The visit this week of Mr. Munro is to be welcomed, for which I thank him. I hope people will attend.

I think I have answered all of the questions that were asked, a Leas-Chathaoirligh.