Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I fully understand the downsides in terms of the Budget Statement announced by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, on 14 October. We have seen the consequences of the Government's interaction in preparing that budget in terms of the cuts and slashes announced. However, there is something we are not seeing. The Taoiseach has confirmed to the House that there are implications in respect of Deputy McGrath's decision to withdraw his support for Government. I put it to him that it is not through reading the headlines or watching the nuance of some news report that we will get an understanding of these implications. We do not know, in the first instance, what is in these agreements, which I argue we should. We know only by way of confirmation from the Taoiseach today that there are implications in this regard. I believe it is the Taoiseach's responsibility to spell out what exactly are those implications.

We understand, though we oppose, the decisions announced in the budget and which will be followed through in the Finance Bill. However, there are other forces at work here. Other decisions have been taken in regard to resources, which are to be either withdrawn, withheld or delayed. We do not know what is the position in this regard. I am asking that the Taoiseach spell out what is the Government's decision and response in this regard. Deputy McGrath and every other Deputy continues to lobby on all of the interests and issues of direct concern to them and they have a right to that hearing by every Minister and Minister of State, without question. A specific agreement was made with Deputy McGrath, who has withdrawn his support for Government. The Taoiseach has stated there are implications in this regard. It is not good enough to just brush off the questioning today and to tell us the information is contained in the subtext of a report and so on. We want this information spelled out. We have every right to know what is contained in the agreements and what are the consequences of Deputy McGrath's withdrawing his support for Government.

I share the concern of Deputy McGrath in respect of many of the issues he has pursued, not least in regard to people with special needs, of which Deputy McGrath is an ardent advocate. A representative body of people with special needs will appear before a committee of this House this afternoon. Are there implications for children with special needs? The Taoiseach cannot leave the question hanging in the air with people not knowing the implications of this — people who have real concerns as to what exactly the Government is intent on doing in response to Deputy Finian McGrath's decision. He should spell it out. He should manfully get up before the Dáil this day and state exactly what are those implications. Let us hope there are none, but that is the answer we would like to hear. The Taoiseach has told us there are implications and we have every right to know what they are. I ask the Taoiseach again to spell out to the House this afternoon exactly what the implications are for any of the interests Deputy Finian McGrath had pursued in coming to the agreement to support the Government following the election in 2007?

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