Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

I expected that a Private Notice Question on the record levels of gun crime and murder that are unfolding daily might be accepted today and I submitted one on that basis. Will the Ceann Comhairle confirm this when I have made my contribution?

The Tánaiste read a list that included so many years and numbers I was reminded of a Johnny Cash song. This is a farce because these motions and so on deal with issues as varied as the Official Languages Act, bovine diseases, drug trafficking, fisheries, biocarbons and the carbon fund. Significant funding is being given the nod without the opportunity for debate and without Members being given the courtesy of being able to differentiate one issue from another. When business is lumped together like this, it indicates more is being hidden than debated. We must oppose this proposal because the House will be brought into disrepute if such a practice is permitted to continue without being challenged. We should have the opportunity to divide on each item so that they can be given the decent attention they need. I appreciate the time constraints but each item should be debated fully.

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