Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The proposition before us now is to rise until Tuesday week next, 23 March. Will the Tánaiste consider what I have already put to the House, that is, we come back here for one day at the end of next week? I have no issue with and I wish well those Ministers who are going on various supportive visits, trade-related I would hope, that would be of benefit to the people at home and the Irish diaspora overseas. No one has suggested that should not happen. I proposed that we would sit either on the following day or the Friday. It is not a situation whereby every Minister must be here but I believe, given the great importance of what is involved, the Minister for Health and Children should be brought back earlier than she planned. This is something in keeping with all the wide, broad opinion of the people and it is what they would expect in this situation, as people in any other democracy would also expect. I believe it is a very reasonable request to make and, by the end of next week, there should be a good deal more information and certainty in respect of all these matters. Are terms of reference agreed in respect of the investigation currently under way? The Tánaiste stated they would address all of the questions. We posed questions here yesterday and this morning.

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