Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I would like the Tánaiste to address that matter in her response.

I know we have not yet come to No. 2, but as the matter is now under discussion in the Chamber, I want to state clearly that the Sinn Féin Members will not and cannot support this Order Paper which fails to recognise the reality that is being presented here today. A major industrial action is pending for next Tuesday, yet the Government is taking no action. They are sniggering away on the Front Bench about whatever amuses them in No. 13a. It would not take an awful lot of intelligence to figure out what they think is funny about it. Nevertheless, I have asked the question and I hope they will address it. The main issue is what is pending next Tuesday. There will be more such Tuesdays as this Government is quite clearly driving the economy headlong into disaster. That is the situation, but the Government is failing to face up to the facts that ordinary people must contend with every day. The only approach the Government can adopt is a recognition that it is unable to respond to Adjournment debate matters that will be granted here on Tuesday evening. That is a pathetic response to what is ahead of us next Tuesday. What is the situation for Deputies and Senators when they come to this institution next week and our co-workers will be picketing the various gates into Leinster House? Will we shamefully pass those picket lines-----

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