Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have spoken time and time again about the importance of clarity and transparency and the need for a debate on these issues. All along the way, the Taoiseach said that things would become clearer in a couple of weeks' time. He used the word "shortly" yesterday. He told us nothing about what was to take place at the Cabinet table this morning. He did not mention what the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government had in the locker and intended to reveal. I ask the Government to provide time for a debate today. If it is not prepared to publish the memo that has essentially been circulated, at least we should be furnished with a copy of it. Everybody in the media world seems to have a copy of it. If the Dáil is to have any relevance to topical issues that are of huge concern to the public, the Taoiseach should facilitate a genuine debate and provide for the circulation to the Members of this House, who are meant to represent the people, of the material that has been made available to the media.

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