Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Fáiltíodh le déanaí an straitéis 20 bliain don Ghaeilge. Tá an straitéis foilsithe agus ar fáil anois. Tá moladh ann gur chóir go mbeadh díospóireacht ar an straitéis sa Dáil agus sa Seanad. I ask the Leader to arrange, chomh luath agus is féidir, go mbeidh díospóireacht sa Teach seo ar an tuarascáil sin - b'fhéidir an tseachtain seo chugainn nó an tseachtain ina dhiadh. I would appreciate it. We were supposed to have a debate on the Irish language in the last session but we never had it.

Last Thursday I spoke on the matter of consensus. The Minister, Deputy Gormley, has rightly thrown the cat among the pigeons. Who is afraid of consensus? It seems that almost everyone is, including the main Government party. People are watching what happens on this issue. People want to know where we stand. This is not about national government but about people working together, which are quite different things. It is time for parties to tell us what they stand for and where they stand on issues. The invitation to engage with the figures on the budget realities is something every party should be happy to do without losing its definition or independence within that process. People are tired of political bickering and they want to see movement. The antidote to political bickering is political policy. Let us put it out there for a debate and engagement in order that people know the differences. The Taoiseach was overly lukewarm about this matter.